What should a counselor do when approached by a parent of a deceased client for treatment records?

• A. Release the records if they are a family member
• B. Contact the mother of the client for her consent
• C. Not release any information without appropriate authorization
• D. Provide a summary of the therapy sessions

Answer: (C)

In situations where a parent of a deceased client requests treatment records, the counselor must prioritize confidentiality and adhere to the ethical and legal guidelines surrounding client information. The correct approach is to not release any information without appropriate authorization, regardless of the relationship the requester has with the deceased client.

This decision is grounded in the ethical obligation to maintain client confidentiality, which extends beyond a client's death. Even if the parent is a family member, privacy rights still apply unless proper consent has been obtained. In some jurisdictions, there may also be specific laws that govern the release of mental health records posthumously, further underscoring the importance of following appropriate procedures.

The other options reflect misunderstandings of confidentiality rules. For example, assuming that family relationships automatically grant rights to access records overlooks the necessary legal frameworks in place. Furthermore, contacting another family member for consent is not a sufficient assurance that the right protocols are being followed, and providing a summary of therapy sessions could also violate confidentiality if proper consent isn’t obtained.