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Psychology vocabulary · Therapy and Counselling

Confidentiality

Meaning in psychology, with examples

/ˌkɒnfɪˌdenʃiˈæləti/nounCore term

In psychology, confidentiality means: The professional duty to keep what a client or research participant shares private, except in clearly defined situations such as a serious risk of harm.

In Turkish: gizlilik, mahremiyet

How it is used

Explained at the start of therapy and in consent forms. Clinicians talk about the limits of confidentiality and breaking confidentiality; researchers promise anonymity and confidentiality and store data securely.

Example sentences

  1. In the first session I explain the limits of confidentiality.

  2. Confidentiality may be broken if there is a serious risk to the client or to others.

Common collocations

  • limits of confidentiality
  • break confidentiality
  • maintain confidentiality
  • anonymity and confidentiality
  • informed consentA person's voluntary agreement to take part in research or treatment after being told clearly what it involves, including risks, benefits and the right to withdraw.
  • clientA person who receives psychological therapy, counselling or another professional service; in therapy this word is often used instead of patient.
  • risk assessmentA structured evaluation of how likely it is that a person may harm themselves or others, or be harmed, and of the factors that raise or lower that risk.
  • sessionOne meeting between a therapist and a client, often lasting about 50 minutes, or one period of testing in a research study.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Therapy and Counselling

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.