We will only break confidentiality if:
​
-
The client gives consent in writing for the confidence to be broken
-
Community Counselling is compelled by a court of law, or
-
In order to safeguard a child or a vulnerable adult
-
Information relates to the prevention or detection of serious crime
-
The client is a danger to him/herself or to others, or
-
Where someone else is believed to be at risk of serious harm
​
Confidentiality in counselling creates a space where the client can explore sensitive topics in the knowledge that the counsellor will not repeat what clients say unless there are exceptional circumstances.
​​
For the counsellor, maintaining client confidentiality within certain limitations is an ethical responsibility, and it is part of what makes counselling different from other relationships.
​