What action should an LPCC take if a client reveals past criminal behavior?

• A. Immediately report the client to law enforcement
• B. Discuss the relevance to treatment but maintain confidentiality
• C. Terminate treatment based on the client’s admission
• D. Ignore the disclosure if it is not current

Answer: (B)

When a client reveals past criminal behavior, the appropriate action for an LPCC is to discuss the relevance to treatment while maintaining confidentiality. This approach is grounded in the therapeutic principles of trust and safety, which are essential for effective counseling. By focusing on the relevance of the disclosure to the client’s treatment, the LPCC can explore how this information affects the client's current functioning and therapeutic goals, thereby allowing for more meaningful progress in therapy.

Maintaining confidentiality is critical in fostering a safe environment where clients feel comfortable sharing sensitive information. It is necessary for the LPCC to assess whether the past behavior poses any risk to the client or others and to determine if there are legal obligations to disclose based on current laws regarding mandatory reporting. However, unless the past criminal behavior presents an imminent threat to someone's safety or constitutes a mandatory reportable offense, confidentiality remains paramount.

This approach does not advocate for ignoring the disclosure, as it is crucial to address it if it is relevant to the client's treatment. Additionally, terminating treatment based on past admissions may not be in the best interest of the client, as it could prevent them from receiving the help they need. Reporting to law enforcement would only be appropriate in situations where there are current threats or obligations to report based on specific legal requirements