When to Hold, When to Share: Clinical and Ethical Dilemmas of Secrets in Couples Therapy

Live Webinar

Description

This webinar will explore the ethical and clinical complexities of secrets in couples therapy, emphasizing best practices aligned with the NASW Code of Ethics. Participants will examine models for handling secrets, including “no-secrets” policies and worker discretion, while considering the implications for client self-determination, transparency, and relational trust.

A justice-informed approach will be emphasized, recognizing how systemic oppression, power imbalances, and cultural factors influence disclosure. Special attention will be given to marginalized populations, including survivors of intimate partner violence and LGBTQ+ clients, ensuring that decisions about secrets prioritize safety and equity. The session will conclude with practical considerations for clinicians, including strategies for informed consent, ethical decision-making, and trauma-informed approaches to navigating disclosures in couples therapy.

About the Instructor:

Mark Gianino, PhD, LICSW, is an expert in couples work with an emphasis on LGBTQIA+ populations and the treatment of trauma and mood disorders. As a Clinical Associate Professor at Boston University School of Social Work, his research interests include gay and lesbian parenthood, transracial adoption, suicide prevention/intervention, and group work. In addition to his work at BUSSW, he has enjoyed a 35-year social work career as a clinician, supervisor, and administrator in outpatient and inpatient mental health settings as well as group and independent private practices.

Objectives

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify at least 2 different types of secrets in couples therapy and their implications for clinical practice.

2. Articulate the steps for ethical decision-making and how to utilize that framework to case scenarios involving secrets, privacy and disclosure.

3. Name at least 2 strategies for managing secrets in couples therapy, that include trauma-informed approaches, informed consent practices, and culturally responsive interventions.