When can confidentiality be violated?

Confidentiality can be violated when a court orders the counselor to make records available. In the legal system, there are situations where the law requires disclosure of information that would normally be kept confidential. This could include instances where there is a court order demanding access to client records, which overrides the usual ethical obligation to maintain confidentiality. This is grounded in the principle that legal obligations may take precedence over ethical considerations.

In such situations, the counselor must comply with the legal requirement to ensure adherence to the law, even if it may conflict with their ethical duties. The duty to recognize this legal obligation ensures that the counselor acts within the framework of both ethical standards and legal mandates, thus protecting the integrity of the profession while complying with judicial authority.