Values and Ethics

Generally before contacting outside sources; the client must give informed, often written, consent except in emergencies or where law permits/requires disclosure.

Mandated reporting of abuse, duty to warn/protect when there is danger, and court orders can require disclosure.

Progress notes document services for the record and billing; psychotherapy notes are the clinician's separately kept analytic notes, which receive extra protection under HIPAA.

Confidentiality is an ethical duty not to disclose client information; privilege is a legal right, held by the client, protecting communications from disclosure in legal proceedings.

Disclose the least amount of information necessary, revealing only what is directly relevant to the purpose of the disclosure.

No. NASW 1.07 says social workers should protect the confidentiality of deceased clients consistent with the other confidentiality standards. HIPAA protects health information for 50 years after death, and personal-representative access rules vary by jurisdiction.