Assignment:
Read the topic and your classmates answer. Respond to classmate in 175 words using Bellegarde, N., & Chintakunta, S. V. (2025) to explain/support and ask a relevant question to further the conversation. Cite and reference in APA 7th edition format:
Topic:
As a professional counselor, it is possible that you may experience the death of an older adult client due to natural causes, suicide, or other circumstances. What are some potential ethical and confidentiality issues that may arise in the event of an older adult client death? For example, someone may seek client records due to the death of the client. What are some ways that counselors can cope with a client death? Please list at least two resources counselors can use to cope with a client death to share and discuss with the class. Need Assignment Help?
Classmate-
The death of an older client can create several ethical and confidentiality issues for counselors. One important issue is that confidentiality continues even after the client dies, which means the counselor cannot automatically share information with family members just because the client passed away (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2020). For example, a family member may ask what the client talked about in counseling or ask for copies of records, but the counselor must follow legal and ethical guidelines before releasing any information (ACA, 2020). Another issue could involve how the counselor handles the client's records after death. Records must still be stored securely and only released if there is proper legal permission, such as from the executor of the estate or a court order (American Psychological Association [APA], 2022). These situations can be stressful because families are grieving, but counselors must still follow ethical rules (Werth et al., 2021).
Counselors may also feel sadness, grief, or question whether they did enough for the client, especially if they worked with the client for a long time (Lehmiller et al., 2020). One way counselors can cope is by writing a reflective journal about the client and the counseling process, which can help process emotions and maintain professional growth (APA, 2022). Another helpful resource is attending professional workshops or continuing education trainings on grief, counselor burnout, and client loss so counselors can learn how to cope in healthy ways (ACA, 2020). These resources help counselors continue working effectively while also taking care of their own emotional well-being (Werth et al., 2021).
References:
American Counseling Association. (2020). ACA code of ethics. American Counseling Association.
American Psychological Association. (2022). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychological Association.
Lehmiller, J., Whitbourne, S. K., & Whitbourne, S. B. (2020). Human sexuality and issues in aging for Grand Canyon University (custom). Wiley.
Werth, J. L., Hastings, S. L., & Riding-Malon, R. (2021). Ethical and professional issues related to client death and suicide. Journal of Counseling & Development, 99(2), 123-131.
Additional:
Bellegarde, N., & Chintakunta, S. V. (2025). Dearth of Death Competence in Counselor Education Programs. Illness, Crisis & Loss.