Which ethical principle ensures a client's privacy in therapy?

The principle that ensures a client's privacy in therapy is confidentiality. This ethical guideline mandates that therapists keep all information shared by clients private unless specific exceptions apply, such as threats to safety or legal requirements. Confidentiality is fundamental in establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship, as clients must feel secure that their personal experiences and disclosures will not be publicly shared without their consent. This trust allows clients to open up and engage more fully in the therapeutic process, which is crucial for effective treatment.

In contrast, autonomy refers to the right of clients to make independent choices about their own lives and treatment, but it does not specifically address privacy. Beneficence focuses on acting in the client's best interest and promoting their well-being, while non-maleficence emphasizes the importance of not causing harm to clients. While all these principles contribute to ethical practice in therapy, confidentiality is uniquely devoted to protecting client privacy.