In which scenarios may LPCC disclose information to protect a third party?

Prepare for the LPCC Law and Ethics Test 2. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations. Enhance your understanding of ethics and legal standards for effective counseling practice.

When there is imminent risk of serious harm to another person, confidentiality can be breached to protect that third party. This is the duty to warn or protect in action: if a client poses a real, immediate threat to someone identifiable, a licensed professional counselor may disclose enough information to prevent that harm, even without the client’s consent. The key is that the risk is imminent and targeted at a specific individual or group, and the disclosure is limited to what is necessary to prevent the danger.

Casual planning or vague concerns do not meet that threshold, because they aren’t presenting an immediate threat to a specific person. Disclosures for unrelated marketing or any looseness or whimsy on the part of the therapist would violate confidentiality and professional ethics. In practice, you would assess the risk, identify who might be at risk, share only the information needed to protect that person, and document your rationale and steps taken, while following applicable laws and professional guidelines.