How should a CPS handle confidentiality when a client asks to share information with a treatment team?

• A. Share automatically
• B. Maintain confidentiality unless the client provides written consent or an exception applies under law or policy for safety or mandated reporting
• C. Never share
• D. Share with supervisor only

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that confidentiality is the default, and sharing with the treatment team happens only with proper consent or when there’s a legal or policy exception. If a client asks to share information, you protect their privacy by obtaining written consent that specifies what can be shared, with whom, and for how long. You should explain to the client exactly what will be disclosed and why it’s helpful for their care, and you should share only the minimum information needed to support treatment.

If there’s an imminent safety concern or a mandated reporting requirement, you disclose the information necessary to address that risk or to comply with the law or agency policy. If the client doesn’t provide consent and there’s no exception, you don’t share the information beyond what is legally required. Documentation of the consent (or the rationale for disclosure under a safety or legal exception) is essential.

Sharing only with a supervisor isn’t enough to coordinate treatment and doesn’t respect the client’s stated preference to involve their treatment team. The aim is to balance privacy with effective care by obtaining clear consent and restricting disclosures to what’s necessary.