James and Mary were in counseling for marital problems.The counselor decided to meet each partner in an individual session before meeting them as a couple.James confided that he was HIV positive and was not going to tell his spouse because she would know that he had been unfaithful.The counselor decided to break confidentially after attempts to encourage James to inform his wife of his condition were unsuccessful.The counselor's action:
A) was legal and ethical.
B) may be considered ethical,but the practitioner could be in violation of a legal standard.
C) was unethical but legal.
D) was ethical and meets the American Counseling Association standard regarding contagious diseases,which states that practitioners must report when a client is HIV positive.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The counselor's action may be considered ethical due to the duty to warn and protect third parties from serious harm, but it could violate legal standards of confidentiality, especially if state laws do not explicitly allow breaking confidentiality in such cases.

James and Mary Were in Counseling for Marital Problems