Confidentiality Issues when Minor Children Disclose Family Secrets in Family Counseling

Abstract

The literature addressing ethical issues involved in the disclosure of family secrets in counseling has typically focused on secrets disclosed by adults, ignoring the ethical issues surrounding individual disclosure by minor children and confidentiality within the family counseling context. This article explores family secrets, confidentiality with minors, and breaching confidentiality. A case example of an individual session disclosure with a minor child is presented along with ethical considerations and practice recommendations.