Client confidentiality and the family's need to know: strategies for resolving the conflict

Vital supports for individuals disabled by mental illness are often provided by their families. The ability of these families to help is dependent on their knowledge of their relative's illness and treatment regime. However, practitioners wishing to provide such information feel a conflict between the family's interest in the information and their client's right to confidentiality. This article presents strategies to enhance information sharing with families while still protecting the client's confidentiality.