A couple undergoing marriage counselling should know that personal, private and intimate information he/she shares with a counsellor is held in confidence. This way the client is more likely to share information vital to fixing the relationship.

Without this level of confidentiality the client-counsellor relationship has no firm foundation. The Australian Counselling Association Code of Ethics specifically addresses issues of confidentiality:

• case records are to be kept secure, 
• discussion of your case is limited to within other professionals, 
• personal information is transmitted safely and not through easily accessible networks.

Confidentiality within counselling refers to the premise that what you say to your counsellor stays with your counsellor. You do not expect a counsellor to discuss your case while they are in a restaurant with friends and it may be this confidential relationship that attracts people to counselling.

Counsellors should make efforts to protect and respect their client’s privacy and this includes looking after personal details as well as records of counselling sessions.

Your counsellor’s professional ethics bind him or her to maintain the strictest confidence and you should feel you are entering into a relationship of trust.