Which statement best describes confidentiality in group settings?

• A. Should maintain absolute confidentiality of participants in groups the student is facilitating.
• B. Confidentiality is optional in group settings.
• C. Participants may disclose information to others outside the group.
• D. The facilitator is responsible for confidentiality only during sessions.

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality in group work hinges on trust: participants share personal experiences with the expectation that what they reveal stays within the group. The best statement captures this duty by emphasizing that the facilitator should protect what is disclosed by participants in the group setting. This commitment to privacy is foundational for creating a safe space where members can be honest, explore their thoughts, and engage in the process without fear of outside exposure. In practice, there are important limits—such as mandatory reporting or safety concerns—that may require disclosure, and these should be established and communicated upfront. Still, the overarching obligation is to minimize disclosures outside the group and to treat confidentiality as a central, ongoing responsibility of the facilitator, not something optional or limited to just during sessions.