California Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) Law and Ethics exam

Under what condition can a therapist maintain a client’s confidentiality when encountering them publicly?

1. By ensuring that the client recognizes them

2. By avoiding any conversation until the next session

3. By discussing therapy topics in public

4. By respecting the client's need for privacy

The correct answer is: By respecting the client's need for privacy

Maintaining a client’s confidentiality, especially in public settings, is a cornerstone of ethical practice for therapists. The correct answer highlights that respecting the client's need for privacy is crucial in safeguarding their personal information and ensuring they feel safe in the therapeutic relationship. When therapists encounter clients in public, the expectation is that they acknowledge the client's right to privacy. This involves not initiating conversations about therapy or personal issues in a manner that could compromise the client's confidentiality. Upholding this principle not only reflects ethical integrity but also reinforces trust in the therapeutic relationship. Other options may not align with ethical standards. For instance, ensuring the client recognizes the therapist might not adequately safeguard confidentiality if a conversation ensues in an inappropriate setting. Avoiding conversation until the next session may seem like a protective measure, but it does not explicitly address the importance of maintaining confidentiality. Discussing therapy topics in public is clearly a violation of confidentiality and should be avoided at all costs.