Tool Box Template [Confidentiality]
Topic: Confidentiality is an essential part of the school counselor’s role within the school. The
workshop presentation is designed for teachers, other school counselors and administrators
within the school. The rationale for the workshop is to educate teachers and administrators in the
confidentiality between school counselors and students. Teachers, administrators and school
counselors need to understand the roles they have with the student and their families. Presenting
a workshop to understand the limitations of confidentiality will help the teachers know their role
in confidentiality to help decrease conflict between the school counselor and teachers because of
understanding. The rationale to having administrators and other school counselors in attendance
is to show the school counseling staff and administration as a united front supporting the roles of
each other. The information supplied in the workshop is to educate teachers about confidentiality
being a “promise to keep what is said private, unless there is a duty to warn” and how that
impacts the school counselor (Merlone, 2005). This workshop is needed for school counselors,
teachers and administrators to “promote awareness and adherence to appropriate guidelines
regarding confidentiality, the distinction between public and private information and staff
consultation” (ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, 2005).
Title: Confidentiality
Presentation Summary: The presentation will focus on confidentiality and the impact breaking
confidentiality without a reason could have on the relationship between a student and school
counselor and the ethical codes school counselors are confined to concerning confidentiality. The
school counselor will begin the workshop with a simple definition of school counseling. The
school counselor will then lead the group in an engaging activity of “Telephone.” The statements
used in this activity can be adjusted based on the school and age of students. After two to three
rounds (depending on participation), the school counselor will process the activity with the
occurrences in the teacher’s lounge. Give the teachers two to three additional examples of how
information can travel through the “teacher’s lounge” and how breaking confidentiality can
affect the student and other teacher’s perception of the student. Ask the teachers for their ideas of
how the school counselor maintains confidentiality with the students. Have the teachers then
identify their opinions of the school counselor’s relationship with teachers and what the school
counselor can share with teachers under ethical standards. Educate teachers on the ASCA Ethical
Standards. Recognize similarities and differences in teachers’ responses and ethical standards.
Give time for discussion and questions. A brief summary of the presentation (less than 300
words)
Presentation Procedures: This workshop can be designed using the following procedures:
1. Discuss the workshop and rationale for workshop with the administration. After approval
announce and advertise the workshop as appropriate.
2. The school counselor will prepare for workshop including gathering all materials. The
PowerPoint presentation and computer or access to a computer and projector in necessary
for a guide during presentation. The counselor should have all examples, definitions,
handouts and speaker’s notes prepared and bring them to presentation. The school
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counselor will need to ensure the room is set up in a pleasant and working manner for the
workshop.
3. The school counselor will begin the workshop with a simple definition of school
counseling.
4. . The school counselor will then lead the group in an engaging activity of “Telephone.”
The statements used in this activity can be adjusted based on the school and age of
students.
5. After two to three rounds (depending on participation), the school counselor will process
the activity with the occurrences in the teacher’s lounge. Give the teachers two to three
additional examples of how information can travel through the “teacher’s lounge” and
how breaking confidentiality can affect the student and other teacher’s perception of the
student. These examples can be found in the speaker’s notes.
6. Ask the teachers for their ideas of how the school counselor maintains confidentiality
with the students.
7. Have the teachers then identify their opinions of the school counselor’s relationship with
teachers and what the school counselor can share with teachers under ethical standards.
8. Educate teachers on the ASCA Ethical Standards.
9. Recognize similarities and differences in teachers’ responses and ethical standards.
10. Give time for discussion and questions.
Reference list:
Glosoff, H.L. & Pate, Jr., R.H. (2002). Privacy and confidentiality in school- Special
issue: legal and ethical issues in school counseling. Professional School
Counseling. FindArticles.com. 13 July, 2010.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_1_6/ai_93700936/.
Lazovsky, R. (2008). Maintaining confidentiality with minors: dilemmas of school
counselors. Professional School Counseling. FindArticles.com. 13 July, 2010.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_5_11/ai_n27889692/.
Moyer, M. & Sullivan, J. Student risk-taking behaviors: when do school counselors break
confidentiality? Professional School Counseling. FindArticles.com. 13 July,
2010. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_4_11/ai_n25360454/.
Mitchell, C. W., Disque, J.G. & Robertson, P. (2002). When parents want to know: responding
to parental demands for confidential information. Professional School Counseling.
FindArticles.com. 13 July, 2010.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_2_6/ai_96194766/.
White Kress, V. E., Drouhard, N. & Costin, A. (2006). Students who self-injure: school
counselor ethical and legal considerations. Professional School Counseling.
FindArticles.com. 13 July, 2010.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_2_10/ai_n27097425/.
Bodenhorn, N. (2006). Exploratory study of common and challenging ethical dilemmas
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experienced by professional school counselors. Professional School Counseling.
FindArticles.com. 13 July, 2010.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_2_10/ai_n27097424/.
American School Counselor Association (2005). Ethical standards for school counselors.
http://www.schoolcounselor.org/files/ethical%20standards.pdf.
Merlone, L. (2005). Record keeping and the school counselor. Professional School Counseling.
FindArticles.com. 21 Jul, 2010.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_4_8/ai_n13698359/.
Presentation: Add file
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