Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam Practice Questions

Discussing confidentiality is a critical task during client orientation in counseling because it establishes the foundation of trust and safety necessary for a therapeutic relationship. Confidentiality assures clients that their personal information, thoughts, and feelings shared in the counseling setting will be protected, which encourages open communication and honesty.

This discussion often includes explaining the limits of confidentiality, such as instances where disclosure may be required by law, like in cases of harm to self or others. By addressing confidentiality early in the counseling process, counselors can help clients feel secure, reinforcing the idea that they can express themselves freely without fear of judgment or repercussions.

Creating a treatment plan is important but typically happens later in the counseling process once a comprehensive assessment has been conducted. Assigning a peer mentor may be useful in certain contexts but is not universally applicable or fundamental to the initial orientation. Setting a termination date is relevant later in the counseling relationship, allowing for planning and preparation for the end of the therapeutic process. Therefore, while these tasks are valuable in their own right, discussing confidentiality is paramount during the orientation phase as it lays the groundwork for all subsequent interactions.