Under what circumstance is it typically justified to break confidentiality?

Breaking confidentiality is a serious ethical consideration in counseling, but there are specific circumstances where it is justified to do so. One of the primary reasons for breaching confidentiality is when a person poses a danger to themselves or others. In such cases, counselors have a duty to protect individuals from harm, which may necessitate sharing information with appropriate parties, such as law enforcement, medical professionals, or family members. This obligation arises from both ethical guidelines and legal requirements aimed at safeguarding individuals and the community.

Circumstances like a request from the client, uncooperativeness, or a general emergency do not constitute sufficient reasons to compromise confidentiality. While emergencies may warrant some disclosure, it must be established that the situation specifically includes an imminent risk of harm. Thus, the situation involving danger to self or others is a clear and recognized legal and ethical justification for breaking confidentiality.