Which of the following is TRUE regarding confidentiality in psychology?

The statement indicating that clients must give written consent for their information to be disclosed is accurate and aligns with the principles of confidentiality in psychology. In practice, confidentiality is a foundational ethical obligation that psychologists have towards their clients. This means that any sharing of personal information typically requires the client’s explicit consent, particularly if the information is to be shared outside of the therapeutic relationship.

The requirement for written consent emphasizes the importance of informed consent in the therapeutic process. Clients should be fully aware of what information might be shared, with whom, and for what purpose. This protects the client’s privacy and autonomy, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding their personal information.

While there are specific exceptions in which confidentiality can be broken, such as when there is a risk of imminent harm to the client or others, these situations are limited and do not apply universally. Hence, the statement underscores the essential principle that, with very few exceptions, client information cannot be disclosed without their informed and written consent.