How should counselors handle confidentiality when supervising interns?

• A. Share full client records with interns.
• B. Discuss client details publicly in meetings.
• C. Maintain client confidentiality; discuss cases in supervision with de-identification or with client consent.
• D. Avoid any discussion of cases.

Answer: (C)

Protecting client confidentiality while enabling learning is essential in supervision. You can discuss clinical cases with interns to help them learn assessment and intervention skills, but you must keep client information private. De-identification is the practical tool here: remove names, exact ages, dates, locations, and any details that could identify who the person is, and discuss the case in a way that focuses on patterns, decision points, and methods rather than on the client’s identity. If there is a need for the intern to hear identifying information to understand a specific situation, obtain informed consent from the client authorizing sharing those details with the supervisory process, and document that consent.

Conversations about cases should occur in a secure, private setting and use only the information necessary for learning. Sharing full client records or discussing identifiable details in public or semi-public meetings breaches confidentiality and undermines trust. While it’s important to learn from real cases, the most ethical and effective approach is to use de-identified information or client consent to balance training needs with privacy protections.