Question

James and mary were in counseling for marital problems. the counselor decided to meet each partner in an individual session before meeting them as a couple. james confided that he was hiv-positive and was not going to tell his spouse because she would know that he had been unfaithful. the counselor decided to break confidentially after attempts to encourage james to inform his wife of his condition were unsuccessful. the counselor's action:

Answer 1

The counselor's action "may be considered ethical, yet the practitioner could be in violation of a legal standard."

Ethics determine decisions made. In counselling, ethics support the nature and course of moves made by the counselor. Counselors and others in helping callings are relied upon to act in a ethical way.  

By nature of the profession, counselors are to act to the greatest advantage of their customer, advancing customer objectives, ensuring customer rights, augmenting great and limiting mischief. This desire expands because of the inalienable intensity of the connection among customer and advocate. Ethics including moral codes and standards expect to adjust the power and guarantee that the advisor works for the benefit of the customer and not for self.