Before giving information to parents, a counselor should consult with which party?

• A. Student
• B. Principal
• C. Teacher
• D. Counselor Colleague

Answer: (A)

This item focuses on confidentiality and the counselor’s obligation to respect a student’s privacy. Before sharing information with parents, the counselor should first consult with the student to understand what can be disclosed and to obtain the student’s consent. This respects the student’s autonomy, builds trust, and invites the student to participate in decisions about their own information. In many school counseling situations, the student’s input guides what is shared, unless there are safety or legal mandates that require disclosure.

While involving others like a principal or teacher can be appropriate for coordinating support, they do not substitute for the student’s consent and can undermine trust if used as the default step. Consulting with a counselor colleague is useful for supervision or case discussion, but it does not determine what can be disclosed to parents.