Psychoanalytic Professional Ethics and Patient Confidentiality

Abstract

Professional ethics are a foundational principle of our clinical practice and all human relations. The efficacy of the analytic clinical situation is predicated upon the fundamental rule of free association –i.e., full and open disclosure of all that occurs to the patient during the hour. The safeguard and pre-condition for this disclosure is absolute respect for and protection of the confidentiality of patient communications. The accepted standards of this protection are presented and discussed.