How should information about a client be shared among family members while maintaining safety and privacy?

• A. Obtain consent to share information; share only information relevant to treatment; maintain confidentiality as agreed; address safety concerns; document accordingly.
• B. Share all information with family regardless of consent.
• C. Never share any information.
• D. Share only diagnoses.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is balancing client autonomy with safety through careful, consent-driven sharing. Start by obtaining informed consent from the client for any disclosure to family, and spell out what will be shared and with whom. Disclosures should be limited to information that is relevant to treatment and support, not the entire private history. Honor the client’s confidentiality preferences as stated in the consent, and adjust when safety concerns arise—disclosures may be needed to protect the client or others, but should still be as limited and specific as possible. Document everything: what was authorized, what was shared, with whom, the rationale, and any safety considerations or changes over time.

Why this approach fits best: it respects the client’s rights and builds trust, while enabling the family to support treatment in a meaningful way. It also provides a clear framework for safety planning and accountability. Other approaches—sharing everything without consent, never sharing at all, or sharing only diagnoses—either violate privacy and autonomy or fail to provide useful information to help with treatment and safety.