The counselor must abide by legislations as Data Protection Act as well as many other regulations. Patients have an agreement with counsellors and patient information can not be disclosed without consent. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In each society human life is paramount and under live threatening circumstances, confidentiality may be breached, and information about the moral obligation to save human life must be disclosed. Especially if there is a risk of suicide or harm.
Counselors can not hold confidentiality in relation to criminal offenses. Counselors may disclose information to assist police in the investigation. The general duty to disclose information does not exist but there are some specific circumstances when counsellor is obligated to disclose information. Especially if: Where the public interest is in danger. If the patient plan or commit serious offenses like murder, rape, child abuse, or action are a potential threat to government existence. This rule is also applied if there is a risk of committing offenses.
The legislation ‘The Terrorism Act 2000’ also includes terrorism as activity excluded from the confidentiality agreement.
