What ethical obligation do RBTs have regarding client confidentiality?

RBTs have a crucial ethical obligation to maintain client confidentiality, which means they must protect the private information of their clients. This duty is foundational to the trust that clients place in behavior technicians and is a key component of professional ethics in the field.

Maintaining confidentiality except in emergencies is essential, as it ensures that sensitive information about clients is only shared in specific, justified situations, such as when the client or others are at risk of harm. This balance between safeguarding personal information and responding appropriately in emergencies highlights the importance of ethical decision-making in preserving client privacy.

Other options, such as disclosing all client information to colleagues, sharing client details on social media, or prioritizing personal experience over client privacy, contradict the principle of confidentiality. They could lead to breaches of trust and potentially harm the client’s well-being and dignity, which can have serious implications for the relationship between the client and the RBT, as well as for the overall integrity of the profession.