Problem
Confidentiality is the keystone of effective counselling and psychotherapy because it allows the client to freely share experiences without fear of unwarranted disclosure to others. Confidentiality refers to the ethical principle that compels psychologists to hold secret all information about a client and to keep private any information revealed by a client in confidence unless the client consents to the disclosure of the information to a third party or the law authorize the release of information without the client's consent.
"You are a psychologist providing psychotherapeutic services to a client with emotional difficulties resulting from having been assaulted. Much of your sessions' content has been devoted to how the client has been dealing with the lengthy legal process. The case was recently heard in court, where the client's accused was found guilty and sentenced to prison. During a session shortly after the trial, your client says of feeling conflicted. The client tells you that the person convicted of assaulting the client was not actually the person who did it. In a cold and angry voice, the client states, "I know that he's done lots of things that he was never convicted of, so I hope he rots in jail." The client refuses to reveal this to anyone else and insists that you not tell anyone either."
Since the client is in imminent danger of harm, breaking confidentiality is legally and ethically justified. What are other examples where breaking confidentiality is appropriate?