Watts, R. E. (1999). Confidentiality and the Duty to Report: A Case Study. The Family Journal, 7(1), 64–66.

Abstract:

In the course of counseling, marriage and family counselors may experience the dilemma of deciding between the necessities of keeping confidential what clients have shared versus the counselor’s duty to report and protect individuals and society in general. In this article, the author presents a case study followed by discussion addressing the issue of confidentiality and the duty to report.

1. Given what you know about confidentiality, after reading the case study, has the client placed him- or herself or someone else in clear and imminent danger?
2. When applying the case study, would the in your state mandate disclosure?
3. What did you personally take away from the case study that you can apply to your future clinical practice as a counselor?