Respecting Client Rights: Differences in Cultural Values

B.1. Respecting Client Rights
B.1.a. Multicultural/Diversity Considerations of the ACA Code of Ethics (Herlihy & Corey, 2014 p. 55). In general, counselors must be culturally competent and sensitive in regards to confidentiality and privacy of the clients they serve. The counselor must respect the client’s view and practice concerning the disclosure of information. 
Case example: Patrice works as a counselor in a community agency. She goes to the reception area to greet her new client, Fatima, who is waiting with her husband. Fatima introduces Patrice to her husband and asks the counselor to allow her husband to sit with her through the intake session. When Patrice inquires as to the reason for the request, Fatima explains that in her native culture it is unacceptable for a wife to have secrets from her husband, and that she would not be comfortable in the session without him there. The intake session is held with the couple. Patrice clarifies that future sessions will be conducted with Fatima alone so that the counseling process can be focused on the concerns that prompted Fatima to call for an appointment. Patrice explains that the confidentiality of information shared during the sessions belongs to Fatima and that she may share information with her husband whenever she wishes. 
references
•ACA Code of Ethics (Herlihy & Corey)
https://mbsdirect(dot)vitalsource(dot)com/#/books/9781119025511/cfi/0!/4/[email protected]:0.00
•Ethical Standards for Human Service Professionals
http://www(dot)nationalhumanservices(dot)org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
Please respond to the following (Carefully review Section B of the ACA Ethical Standards Casebook): 
Explain how a client’s culture might affect his/her views about and expectations of confidentiality in counseling. What information would you give clients about the nature and purpose of confidentiality and how would you present it?