ACA Code of Ethics Section B: Confidentiality, Privacy &
Legal Exceptions Explained Latest Updated 2026
B.1.
Respecting Client Rights
B.1.a. Multicultural/Diversity Considerations
be aware of cultural meanings of confidentiality and privacy and respect the individual views of
disclosure of information. The counselor has an ongoing discussion about to who, what kind,
and where information is being shared
B.1.b. Respect for Privacy
you respect the privacy of prospective and current clients. you only request info private info
from clients if it benefits them in the counseling process
B.1.c. Respect for Confidentiality
You respect the confidentiality of prospective and current clients. you only break conf with
appropriate consent or on a legal or ethical basis
B.1.d. Explanation of Limitations
you inform the client of conf limitations and tell them in what situations you would have to
breach
B.2.
Exceptions
B.2.a. Serious and Foreseeable Harm and Legal Requirements
you break conf when you are protecting the client or identified others from serious harm of it is
legally required you give info. counsel with professionals to ensure the validity of the exception.
Additional considerations apply when addressing end-of-life issues.
B.2.b. Confidentiality Regarding End-of-Life Decisions
If you're working with a sick person who wants to end their life you have the choice not to say
anything depending on applicable laws and the specific circumstances of the situation and after
consulting with appropriate professionals and legal parties
B.2.c. Contagious, LifeThreatening Diseases
, if your client tells you they have a life threatening and communicable disease you may be able
to justify informing a third party who is in danger of getting it. before you do that though you
assess the intent of the client, if they are planning on telling the third party or are going to harm
the third party. Counselors adhere to relevant state laws concerning disclosure about disease
status.
B.2.d. Court-Ordered Disclosure
if you are court ordered to give info then you get written permission from the client to prohibit
the disclosure of the info or narrow it as much as possible so that too much information is not
given and the client or the counseling relationship is not harmed
B.2.e. Minimal Disclosure
clients are informed before info is disclosed and the client plays an active role in the process. if
you have to give up info, you give as little as possible
B.3.
Information Shared With Others
B.3.a. Subordinates
Counselors make every effort to ensure that privacy and confidentiality of clients are
maintained by subordinates, including employees, supervisees, students, clerical assistants, and
volunteers.
B.3.b. Interdisciplinary Teams
When services provided to the client involve participation by an interdisciplinary or treatment
team, the client will be informed of the team's existence and composition, information being
shared, and the purposes of sharing such information.
B.3.e. Transmitting Confidential Information
Counselors take precautions to ensure the confidentiality of all information transmitted through
the use of any medium.
B.3.c. Confidential Settings
Counselors discuss confidential information only in settings in which they can reasonably ensure
client privacy.
B.3.d. Third-Party Payers
Counselors disclose information to third-party payers only when clients have authorized such
disclosure
Legal Exceptions Explained Latest Updated 2026
B.1.
Respecting Client Rights
B.1.a. Multicultural/Diversity Considerations
be aware of cultural meanings of confidentiality and privacy and respect the individual views of
disclosure of information. The counselor has an ongoing discussion about to who, what kind,
and where information is being shared
B.1.b. Respect for Privacy
you respect the privacy of prospective and current clients. you only request info private info
from clients if it benefits them in the counseling process
B.1.c. Respect for Confidentiality
You respect the confidentiality of prospective and current clients. you only break conf with
appropriate consent or on a legal or ethical basis
B.1.d. Explanation of Limitations
you inform the client of conf limitations and tell them in what situations you would have to
breach
B.2.
Exceptions
B.2.a. Serious and Foreseeable Harm and Legal Requirements
you break conf when you are protecting the client or identified others from serious harm of it is
legally required you give info. counsel with professionals to ensure the validity of the exception.
Additional considerations apply when addressing end-of-life issues.
B.2.b. Confidentiality Regarding End-of-Life Decisions
If you're working with a sick person who wants to end their life you have the choice not to say
anything depending on applicable laws and the specific circumstances of the situation and after
consulting with appropriate professionals and legal parties
B.2.c. Contagious, LifeThreatening Diseases
, if your client tells you they have a life threatening and communicable disease you may be able
to justify informing a third party who is in danger of getting it. before you do that though you
assess the intent of the client, if they are planning on telling the third party or are going to harm
the third party. Counselors adhere to relevant state laws concerning disclosure about disease
status.
B.2.d. Court-Ordered Disclosure
if you are court ordered to give info then you get written permission from the client to prohibit
the disclosure of the info or narrow it as much as possible so that too much information is not
given and the client or the counseling relationship is not harmed
B.2.e. Minimal Disclosure
clients are informed before info is disclosed and the client plays an active role in the process. if
you have to give up info, you give as little as possible
B.3.
Information Shared With Others
B.3.a. Subordinates
Counselors make every effort to ensure that privacy and confidentiality of clients are
maintained by subordinates, including employees, supervisees, students, clerical assistants, and
volunteers.
B.3.b. Interdisciplinary Teams
When services provided to the client involve participation by an interdisciplinary or treatment
team, the client will be informed of the team's existence and composition, information being
shared, and the purposes of sharing such information.
B.3.e. Transmitting Confidential Information
Counselors take precautions to ensure the confidentiality of all information transmitted through
the use of any medium.
B.3.c. Confidential Settings
Counselors discuss confidential information only in settings in which they can reasonably ensure
client privacy.
B.3.d. Third-Party Payers
Counselors disclose information to third-party payers only when clients have authorized such
disclosure
