Discussions with family members can only be undertaken with permission of the adult client, and then only on those issues the client permits. Which option best describes this rule?

Discussions with family members can only be undertaken with permission of the adult client, and then only on those issues the client permits. Which option best describes this rule?

• A. Yes, always
• B. Only on issues the client permits
• C. Never
• D. Only with court order

Answer: (B)

Confidentiality and client self-determination require that any discussion with family members is allowed only with the adult client’s permission and limited to the topics the client has chosen to authorize. This protects the client’s privacy and control over personal information while still permitting family involvement when the client agrees. The correct description—sharing with family only on issues the client permits—accurately reflects both the need for consent and the limited scope of disclosure. Saying it’s allowed all the time ignores consent; saying it’s never allowed ignores potential collaborative, supportive involvement with client approval; and saying only with a court order shifts the decision away from the client’s autonomy and the stated rule.

Confidentiality and client self-determination require that any discussion with family members is allowed only with the adult client’s permission and limited to the topics the client has chosen to authorize. This protects the client’s privacy and control over personal information while still permitting family involvement when the client agrees.

The correct description—sharing with family only on issues the client permits—accurately reflects both the need for consent and the limited scope of disclosure. Saying it’s allowed all the time ignores consent; saying it’s never allowed ignores potential collaborative, supportive involvement with client approval; and saying only with a court order shifts the decision away from the client’s autonomy and the stated rule.