When writing case notes for members of a therapy group, a counselor should do which of the following to protect confidentiality?

• A. Omit or delete the names and any other identifying information about other members from the notes for each member
• B. Include all members' full names in each note for reference
• C. Share notes with other members
• D. Post case notes publicly to verify progress

Answer: (A)

Protecting confidentiality in group therapy means keeping the identities of other participants private. When writing notes for an individual client, you should remove names and any identifying details about the other group members. This limits who could learn who else was in the group and what they shared, protecting trust and reducing the risk of harm or stigma if notes are accessed by others. The focus in the notes should be on the client’s own history, symptoms, progress, goals, risks, and treatment plan, documented in a way that does not reveal who else attended or what they disclosed. If you need to reference others, do so in non-identifying terms (for example, “a group member shared…”). Sharing notes with others, posting them publicly, or disclosing identifying information would breach confidentiality. This practice aligns with ethical responsibilities to minimize disclosures and safeguard clients’ private information.