Duty of confidentiality limits:

• A. It never applies if the client asks.
• B. Risk of harm to self or others and as required by law (Tarasoff).
• C. It allows disclosure to family members without consent.
• D. It requires sharing data with insurers regardless of consent.

Answer: (B)

Confidentiality in clinical practice is not absolute; it has specific limits. The most important limit is when there is risk of harm to self or others, or when the law requires disclosure. The Tarasoff principle captures this: if a client presents a credible threat to another person, the clinician may need to warn or take steps to protect the potential victim, which can involve disclosing information. This is why the option describing risk of harm and legal requirements fits best—it reflects how confidentiality can be appropriately breached to prevent harm and to comply with legal duties.

Statements suggesting that clients can demand disclosure or that confidentiality automatically frees up information to family are not accurate—consent and context matter, and disclosures to family typically require consent or a legitimate exception. Likewise, sharing information with insurers is not automatic or unconditional; it generally requires appropriate authorization and is limited to what is necessary to obtain or manage coverage.