Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

Under what circumstances are professional counselors obliged to break client confidentiality?

1. Child and elder abuse/neglect

2. Domestic violence

3. Suicide/self-harm

4. Clients who are a threat to others

The correct answer is: Domestic violence

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the counseling profession, but there are certain circumstances when a professional counselor is ethically and legally obligated to break that confidentiality to protect the client or others. One of the primary situations involves child or elder abuse or neglect, which is mandated by law. Counselors are required to report such incidents to the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals. In the context of domestic violence, while it can be deeply impactful to the client and is certainly concerning, the obligation to break confidentiality is not as universally mandated compared to cases involving imminent harm or abuse. Similarly, suicide or self-harm situations require counselors to assess risk, yet absolute confidentiality may still be maintained unless there is a clear and present danger to the client. For clients who pose a threat to others, counselors are obligated to breach confidentiality to prevent harm to individuals in the community. This is grounded in the legal principle of duty to warn or protect, which requires counselors to take action if they have knowledge that a client may be planning to harm someone else. Thus, the most appropriate circumstances under which professional counselors are obliged to break confidentiality are typically related to specific legal requirements aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, preventing imminent harm, and ensuring safety, particularly in cases like child and elder