Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is required for a therapist to legally disclose a client's information?

1. Client consent

2. Therapist's discretion

3. Prior relationship with the client

4. Professional judgment

The correct answer is: Client consent

In order to legally disclose a client’s information, obtaining client consent is fundamentally required. This principle is established in both ethical guidelines and legal frameworks that prioritize the confidentiality of client communications in therapeutic settings. Client consent means that the therapist has obtained explicit permission from the client to share their information, ensuring that the client is aware of what information will be disclosed, to whom, and for what purpose. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship, fostering trust and safety for clients to share sensitive information. Without obtaining consent, any disclosure may be viewed as a breach of confidentiality, which can lead to legal consequences for the therapist and compromise the therapeutic relationship. Professional judgment and the therapist's discretion may influence whether to seek consent or the nature of the information disclosed, but they cannot replace the necessity of obtaining client consent when it comes to legal disclosures. Similarly, a prior relationship with the client does not establish grounds for disclosure without consent, as the confidentiality rights of the client remain intact regardless of the nature of the prior relationship.