Which of the following actions is a breach of confidentiality?

Sharing client information with a spouse constitutes a breach of confidentiality because it violates the ethical obligation to protect a client’s private information. Counselors are required to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the disclosures made by clients during sessions. This obligation is foundational to the counseling relationship and serves to create a safe environment for clients to share personal and sensitive information.

The act of sharing information with a spouse does not have a legitimate therapeutic purpose and may expose the client to potential harm, including damage to their privacy and trust in the therapeutic process. In contrast, documenting client sessions in a secure database, consulting with a supervisor about a case, and discussing client cases in a training session (as long as identifying details are omitted) are all actions that can be considered part of the professional responsibilities in counseling. These practices are acceptable as they are conducted within appropriate boundaries and typically with safeguards to protect client identities.