A father requests access to his daughter's therapy records, which you believe could harm her. What is your ethical obligation?

• A. Provide the records as requested
• B. Discuss the situation with your supervisor
• C. May deny access due to potential psychological harm
• D. Recommend family counseling instead

Answer: (C)

In this scenario, your ethical obligation revolves around the principle of "do no harm." When considering a request for access to a client's therapy records, a licensed professional must prioritize the well-being of the client, in this case, the daughter. If it is believed that releasing these records could cause psychological harm to her, the ethical course of action would be to deny access to those records.

This aligns with the ethical responsibilities outlined in professional codes of conduct, which often emphasize the need to protect clients from potential harm, particularly in sensitive situations such as therapy. The therapist must carefully weigh the potential consequences of disclosure against the rights of the parent to access information. Respecting confidentiality in the therapeutic relationship is crucial, particularly when the minor client may be vulnerable to emotional distress resulting from such disclosures.

While discussing the situation with a supervisor can be beneficial and is sometimes required, the primary ethical decision hinges on protecting the client's well-being, which may lead to the conclusion that denying access is necessary. Alternative suggestions, such as recommending family counseling, may not directly address this ethical conflict and could detract from the immediate consideration of the daughter's best interests regarding her therapy records.