Privacy should not be a luxury. Having someone's trust is an honor and a privilege that should not be abused. Confidentiality is one way to illustrate this. However, it can take great effort and determination to navigate this as mental health professionals. A combination of child abuse, elder abuse and threats to hurt self or others can especially be where we need to cultivate interventions. We need to mentally prepare ourselves for these possibilities and make it our mission to take control over the most vulnerable in our work. Whatever the nature of the challenge of confidentially is, our steps need to stay in a positive state, take breaks in our work to avoid feeling overwhelmed when necessary and don't be afraid of dissociating when you need to make difficult decisions in this work. We need to remember what can be done to have the most positive impact in confidentiality, what is least important and a plan for the best or worst case scenario.
Holistic Therapist at Licensed Social Worker | Associate Clinical Social Worker
Answered 2 years ago
I address confidentiality and informed consent with my clients in our initial consultation and thoroughly explain the importance of confidentiality when it comes to their safety, which is my number one priority. As we peel back the layers of the onion in therapy, and trauma processing becomes more extensive, I remind my clients that if they express that they are a danger to themselves or others, that I am mandated to report. I always express that if I do need to report, that I will inform them of what action steps we need to take. Even with difficult situations, I am passionate about always keeping my clients informed and educated on the therapeutic process. We are a team throughout their healing journey.
Hi, My name's Ronnie Adamowicz, I'm an registered licensed M.A. Somatic Psychotherapist. Here's my answer below. Happy to expound or dive in a little more if needed: Confidentiality is the sacred thread that weaves through the fabric of therapy, fostering trust and openness. Yet, in the shadows of difficult cases, its solidity is tested. Here, I find myself treading carefully, navigating the intricate dance between honoring confidentiality and ensuring the safety and well-being of my client and others. I engage in thorough risk assessments, seeking wisdom from colleagues and supervisors, and grounding my decisions in legal and ethical frameworks. My aim is clear: to breach confidentiality only when it is an imperative, ensuring that the breach is minimal, purposeful, and carried out with the utmost respect for my client's autonomy and privacy. When working with my clients, I also ensure they are aware that at times I may need to break confidentiality if I believe they may harm themselves or others, and ensure that this is signed on during intake. This can also help prevent a rupture in the relationship if confidentiality is broken. Also, the therapist needs to determine the difference between self harm vs. wanting to end their lives. This also can help determine if and when confidentiality should be compromised. There really is so much more here. I'm happy for you to reach out and have a video chat if needed! If you found any of this useful, please backlink to my website: https://ronnieadamowicz.com. Ideally you'd link to: https://ronnieadamowicz.com/ with the anchor text of "Counselling Melbourne Psychotherapist" or "Somatic Therapy" or "Trauma Counselling" or even just "ronnieadamowicz.com" My details are: * Website: https://ronnieadamowicz.com * Photo: https://ronnieadamowicz.com/files/2020/04/ronnie-adamowicz-sitting.jpg * Headshot: https://ronnieadamowicz.com/files/2022/08/ronnie-circle-full.png * Bio: https://ronnieadamowicz.com/about-me/