Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What constitutes a significant part of information that may lead to breach of privilege?

1. When information is shared with social media

2. When the client discusses their past with friends

3. When the client discloses details to a third person

4. When the client does not follow through with therapy

The correct answer is: When the client discloses details to a third person

The correct choice highlights the critical concept of privilege in legal and therapeutic contexts. When a client discloses details to a third person, it creates a potential breach of confidentiality and privilege. Privilege is designed to protect communications between a client and their attorney or therapist, ensuring that these discussions remain confidential so clients can speak freely without fear of their disclosures being used against them. When information is shared with an individual who is not bound by confidentiality (like a third party), it risks jeopardizing the protection offered by that privilege. This breach can undermine the trust in the professional relationship and can affect the outcomes of legal proceedings or therapeutic processes. In contrast, sharing information on social media, discussing past events with friends, or not following through with therapy, while potentially concerning in their own contexts, do not directly involve the legal principles of privilege as they relate to client-professional relationships. These actions may reflect poor boundaries or lack of commitment to the process, but they do not necessarily indicate a violation of privileged information in the way that disclosing to a third party does.