Aparna went to her college counsellor with her problem that was causing her sleepless nights. Later, she realized that the counsellor had shared the details with the staff of the college. Aparna's faith was completely shaken, and she resolved never to trust any counsellor. Which one of the following ethics has been breached by the counsellor?

Confidentiality of the client

The correct answer is Option (2) → Confidentiality of the client

In counselling ethics, confidentiality means that any personal information shared by a client must not be disclosed to others without the client’s permission, except in specific circumstances like risk of harm to self or others, or as required by law. In Aparna’s case, the counsellor shared private details with the college staff without consent, directly breaching this ethical principle. Such a breach can damage trust and deter clients from seeking help in the future.