Confidentiality in School Counseling by Mark Manfull https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5 en-us 2023-05-08 14:38:41 UTC 2025-12-15 14:09:33 UTC hello@padlet.com Professional Perspective mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582256652 I chose the topic of Confidentiality because it is a daily ethical issue within the school counseling office.  As a high school counselor, I am presented with the need to consult and make ethical decisions regarding confidentiality multiple times each day.  The topic of confidentiality is best suited for school counselors as they are the ones who keep the student information confidential.  School counselors are required to keep what the student shares with them in counseling sessions confidential as well as keep their personal information confidential.  The school counselor often holds more information regarding the student than any person other than the student themselves, including the parents.  Students who feel comfortable with their counselor can share information that nobody else in the world knows about them.  Releasing this information to the public can create harm for the student and therefore the counselor must keep personal information confidential. ]]> 2023-05-08 15:27:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582256652 Governing Agency mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582572558 The most important governance for school counselors when it comes to ethical decision making in regard to confidentiality is the American School Counselor Association Ethical Standards (ASCA, 2022).  The ASCA Ethical Standards is a document that lists all the specific ways in which school counselors can ensure they are protecting students (ASCA, 2022).

American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf ]]> 2023-05-08 19:13:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582572558 Federal and State Laws mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582576155 US Constitutional Law: While not exactly tied to school counseling, I view the 8th amendment as one that fits with confidentiality. The eighth amendment states that no cruel or unusual punishment be inflicted upon US Citizens. A school counselor who does not break confidentiality to get help for a student in distress or one who does not keep personal information confidential is creating cruel harm to their students. 

Texas State Constitutional Law:  Within the first part of the Texas Constitution, section 19 states that all Texas citizens have the right life and liberty, or the right to have a peaceful life in other words.  School counselors who protect their students personal information and keeps it confidential are doing their part in protecting the student’s right to life and liberty. 

U.S. Const. Amend. VIII


]]> 2023-05-08 19:16:46 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582576155 Administrative Law mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582578325 Part 7 of Title 19 of the TAC states that Professional School Counselors are required to know and apply legal and ethical standards (Government Code, §§2002.051-2002.056). ]]> 2023-05-08 19:18:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582578325 Court Case mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582583817 In one particular case, Jane Doe v. Unified School District School Counselor in 2003, where the family of an elementary student sued the school district and specifically the school counselor who neglected to report allegations of sexual abuse.  The school counselor did not report the abuse to Child Protective Service nor the law enforcement and as a result, the student continued to be sexually abused for several more years. ]]> 2023-05-08 19:22:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582583817 Regulation mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582599105 In order to maintain appropriate student confidentiality, the Professional School Counselor must adhere to all state laws outlined by TAC and TEC.

Within these established state laws, each school district is responsible for following the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs which
mandates Professional School Counselors reference the ASCA ethical standards.

Tex. Educ. Code § 33.005 


]]> 2023-05-08 19:36:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582599105 Local Policy mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582602126 The local policy that impacts confidentiality for school counselors within Northside Independent School District is the district adopted Limits of Confidentiality. Northside ISD provides each school counselor with a grade appropriate document that must be posted within our offices that list the limits of confidentiality.  Furthermore, before beginning any counseling session or responsive service we are required to cover the limits of confidentiality so students are made aware that there are some cases where the school counselor must break the confidentiality in order to ensure their safety (Northside ISD, 2022). ]]> 2023-05-08 19:39:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582602126 Risk Management mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582607989 The risk management steps that should be taken in regard to Confidentiality within the school counselor role are to first make every effort and due diligence to create no harm to students.  

Glossoff and Pate (2002) share that when making an ethical decision about sharing student information school counselors should ask: 
“Who needs to know this information?”  and “How will these individuals knowing this information help the student’s social, emotional, or educational progress?”

School counselors can be held liable for malpractice if they are negligent in breaking confidentiality and reporting such things as child abuse and suicidal ideation (Remley, 2001). 

Glosoff, H.L. & Pate Jr., R.H. (2002). Privacy and confidentiality in school counseling. Professional School Counseling, 6, 20-28. 

Remley, T.P. & Herlihy, B. (2001). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Merrill Prentice Hall. 

]]> 2023-05-08 19:45:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582607989 Ethical Principle mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582623392 A.2. Confidentiality 
f. Keep information confidential unless legal requirements demand confidential information be revealed or a breach is required to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to the student or others. 

Section A.2 - Letter F of the ASCA Ethical Standards clearly states that school counselors are to keep student information confidential as to not create harm for the student unless legally obligated to break confidentiality in certain situations. 

American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf ]]> 2023-05-08 20:01:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582623392 Personal Connection mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582635132 As a high school counselor, I have learned that confidentiality is an issue that arises multiple times per day in our offices. It is important to take heed of the ASCA Ethical Standards and make sure that we follow them in order to prevent unnecessary harm to my students. ]]> 2023-05-08 20:14:16 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582635132 Confidentiality Recommendations mmanfull1 https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582652428 The following are best practices:

  • Keep student information confidential
  • Review limits of confidentiality 
  • Explain limits of confidentiality to students
  • Consult with colleagues when confidentiality cases arise 
  • Ask yourself: "Will the student benefit from _____ person knowing this?" 
  • Only share what is necessary to who is necessary
  • Share sensitive information in person or via phone call, never through email
  • Goal of confidentiality is to prevent harm to students 
]]> 2023-05-08 20:33:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mmanfull1/bgdov9mkdraac4u5/wish/2582652428