Confidentiality as a Principle of the Activity of a Practicing Psychologist: the Current State of Regulatory Regulation and Prospects

Abstract

This article provides an overview and analysis of ethical and legal requirements regarding confidentiality in the professional activities of a practicing psychologist. The legal and ethical aspects of maintaining confidentiality are outlined, as well as the legislative possibilities of determining its limits in the relationship “psychologist/ psychotherapist — client” are analyzed. The opinion is expressed that at the legislative level, the problems of confidentiality and the issues of its dissemination in the provision of psychological assistance are poorly developed. At the same time, the ethical requirements of confidentiality by practicing psychologists do not find legislative confirmation, which leads to uncertainty in practice. The proposals on the settlement of issues of confidentiality and its limits at the legislative level are presented, the draft legal norms defining the boundaries of confidentiality in therapeutic relationships are presented.