In counseling, clients need to trust the therapist and be able to reveal sensitive information about themselves. Many times, when a person comes in for counseling, the individual is vulnerable and trying to improve their quality of life. This is why confidentiality is very important in therapy. It is an essential piece that helps create a rapport and relationship between the client and the therapist. One area where it is extremely important to explore confidentiality is when clients have HIV/AIDS and a third party is involved. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has presented an ethical dilemma for many counselors in knowing how to approach decision-making in situations encountered within this population (Cottone & Tarvydas, 2007). Confidentiality is “the obligation of professionals to respect the privacy of clients and the information they provide” (Cottone & Tarvydas, 2007, p. 31). There are ethical principles that promote the concept of confidentiality universally both in the professional code of ethics and in legal regulations. Legal confidentiality prohibits counselors from discussing private information discussed in sessions with individuals outside the organization. Professional associations cannot necessarily guarantee legal confidentiality, however the professional association can revoke membership (Cottone & Tarvydas, 2007). The American Counseling Association states the following regarding contagious and life-threatening illnesses: “When clients disclose that they have an illness commonly known to them to be both communicable and life-threatening, counselors may be justified in disclosing information to identifiable third parties, if they are known to be at demonstrably high risk of contract... half of the document... ote of more ethical and beneficial outcome and care for the client and others involved. Works Cited Chenneville, T. (2000). HIV, confidentiality and the duty to protect: a decision-making model. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31(6), 661-670. doi: 10.1037/0735-7028.31.6.661 Cottone, R. R., & Tarvydas, V. M. (2007). Ethical consultancy and decision making. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice HallDiMarco, M., & Zoline, S.S. (2004). Duty to warn in the context of HIV/AIDS-related psychotherapy: Decision making among psychologists. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 1(2), 68-85. Retrieved from the Academic Search Premier database. Rowan, J., & Zinaich S. (2003). Ethics for the professions. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.Shallcross, L. (2011). Do the right thing. Consulting today, 53(10), 28-34.