Which practice is essential when delivering counseling via telehealth?

• A. Ignore local laws
• B. Ensure privacy and security
• C. Share data publicly
• D. Fail to obtain consent

Answer: (B)

Privacy and data security are nonnegotiable in telehealth because confidentiality remains a fundamental ethical obligation even when counseling happens remotely. To protect clients, practitioners use secure, privacy‑protected platforms with strong encryption, confirm identities, conduct sessions in private spaces, and restrict access to records. Informed consent should clearly address telehealth specifics—risks, data storage, who can access information, and what happens if technology fails. Recording should occur only with explicit consent and, if kept, stored securely with access controls and compliance with applicable laws. These safeguards build trust, reduce the risk of breaches, and align with professional guidelines. Ignoring local laws, sharing data publicly, or skipping consent would violate confidentiality and ethical and legal standards.