Minors’ Rights to Confidentiality, When Parents Want to Know: An Ethical Scenario

This paper explores the ethical scenario related to confidentiality rights of a minor when his/her parents seek information from the counseling session, in this case related to exploration of sexuality. This paper examines all facets of this ethical dilemma by using Corey, Corey, and Callanan’s (1998) decision-making model. By examining ethical codes, legal statutes, and precedents, consulting relevant literature, identifying all of the possible viable solutions, and weighing all of the consequences of these solutions, the counselor is able to make a well- informed, justified, ethical decision. Upon fully engaging all eight steps in this decision-making model, the counselor deems that she must act on what is in the client’s best interest. In this case, the counselor decides to keep her client’s confidentiality, as this is the course of action that is in the best interest of the client and results in the least amount of harm to the client.