Under what conditions can a counselor reveal confidential information about a client without his or her permission?

• A. Whenever the client requests it
• B. Only with signed consent from the client
• C. When there is clear and imminent danger to the client or to others
• D. Never under any circumstances

Answer: (C)

Confidentiality protects what a client shares so they can speak openly, but there are important limits. The most crucial exception is when there is a clear and imminent danger to the client or to others. In that urgent situation, a counselor may disclose information without the client’s permission in order to prevent harm or to protect someone at risk. This safety-focused exception is supported by professional ethics and applicable laws, and it overrides the usual rule that disclosure requires consent. Routine disclosures require signed consent, and the idea that it never happens ignores this safety mechanism. So the only time you can reveal without permission is when there’s an imminent risk to someone’s safety.