Running head: CONFIDENTIALITY 1

Confidentiality – Case Scenario

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation
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Confidentiality – Case Scenario

Bob is an 18-year-old boy who was brought into a local mental health facility by his

grandmother. At the age of 16, Bob lost his parents and only sister in a tragic road accident.

Following the death of all Bob’s family members, his grandmother reports that his behaviors

have significantly changed. Also, Bob’s grandmother reports that he has got himself into bad

company. After speaking with Bob, he reports to me that he has been incredibly lonely and

thinks it would be easier if he just died.

According to Corey (2017), counselors need to assess the potential for harm by

evaluating the possibility that a client will purposely harm herself. Since Bob has reported that he

thinks it would be easier if he just died, I would undertake a suicide risk assessment on him. The

suicide risk assessment would help me determine whether Bob has a plan and means to commit

suicide. To achieve this, I will ask Bob more specific questions to determine his potential for

hurting himself. One of the questions which I would ask Bob is “Have you ever come up with a

plan to commit suicide?” If Bob responds yes to this question, I will probe to get more details of

when, how and where he would commit suicide. Other questions which I would ask Bob are:

“Have ever tried to commit suicide?”, “Are you using any drugs?”, “Do you possess any

weapon?”, “What motivates you from taking your own life?”, and “Is there one of your close

friends that can help you when you are feeling down?” Depending on the answers, Bob will give

me, I will determine his level of risk for harming himself.

According to California state law, in case there is a reasonable suspicion that a minor is

likely to harm himself, protective measures should be taken (Flotho et al. 2008). All reports must

go to the local child protective services agency. Since Bob is in jeopardy of being harmed, I
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would report the matter first to his grandmother and then to the local child protective services

agency.

To address informed consent, I would explain to the grandmother and child before

counseling begins that it’s my responsibility to protect the child’s right to privacy. I will also go

into detail about the counseling relationship. I will inform them that the child is the client and

everything will be kept confidential unless he provides informed consent to disclose any

information discussed unless it involves self-harm, harm to others, abuse and/or neglect. I would

also inform them that I may have to consult my supervisor or colleagues at times but would also

obtain consent from the client to do so. I would talk to the grandmother and explain to her the

seriousness of the issue at hand.

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References

Corey, G. (2017). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (10th ed.). Boston, MA:

Cengage.

Flotho, S., Amer, R., Mitchell, V., Rose, R., Crump, D., Gabourie, P., & Vess, R. (2008).

Standards of Practice for California Community College Counseling Programs.