Relationship
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends (Proverbs 1 7:9).
Carmen is a clinical psychologist and she has been practicing her profession for decades. Over the years, she has had the opportunity of listening to a myriad of human problems in detail. However, she well aware that everything she hears during the sessions is confidential and she is not at liberty to divulge their content to anyone, not even to her husband. When she meets a new patient for the first time, she explains clearly the details of her style, techniques, overall goals, strengths, and limitations. A compulsory aspect is to assure her client that the content of their future conversations is private and that she will never disclose it to anyone without the written permission of her patient.
We must hasten to say that the ethics of this profession imposes certain limits to confidentiality. For example, if a person threatens to kill themselves or to murder someone, or talks about child or adult abuse, then personal security and life prevail over the right of confidentiality, and the mental health professional is obligated to communicate these risks to the appropriate authorities, in order to protect the potential victim.
Exceptions aside, confidentiality is very important not only at the professional level, but also in our mutual relationships. The certainty that private matters will not be disclosed strengthens the relation, encourages talking freely about that the problems (which benefits mental health) and proves to the affected person or she deserves deep respect, despite his or her mistakes and weaknesses.
Today’s verse relates to immoral confidences, mistakes, failings, sins . . . And we are urged not to reveal them. Does it mean that we approve of the immoral facts? Not at all! But today’s text suggests we have to work with discretion, supporting and guiding the person to initiate the appropriate recovery and seek God’s forgiveness. And what can happen if we disclose the misconduct? The Scripture tells us that the relationship will be broken.
Confidentiality can go beyond psychotherapeutic relations and reach moral grounds.There are many people who even within religious communities, seem to had special pleasure in revealing other people’s mistakes. But the biblical recommendation is very different. Perhaps you can play a significant role in listening and guiding someone who, having committed a mistake, puts their faith in you. Remember that you must offer complete discretion and must support the victim to solve his or her problem in the light of the Holy Scriptures.
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Junior 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & Emmanuel Tapia
