What is one ethical issue that school counselors often face?

Balancing confidentiality with a duty to protect is a significant ethical issue that school counselors frequently encounter. In their role, counselors are entrusted with sensitive information from students that must be kept confidential to foster trust and encourage open communication. However, counselors also have a responsibility to act when a student's safety or well-being is at risk, such as in cases of abuse or suicidal ideation. This dual obligation creates a conflict: counselors must discern when it is appropriate to break confidentiality in order to protect a student or others from harm.

When facing this ethical dilemma, school counselors are guided by established ethical standards and laws, such as those set forth by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and state laws regarding mandatory reporting. Navigating these situations requires careful consideration, strong ethical judgment, and often, consultation with colleagues or supervisors to ensure that the welfare of the student is prioritized while also respecting the necessary boundaries of confidentiality. This complex balancing act is what makes this ethical issue particularly challenging and central to the practice of school counseling.