What if the Counsellor has a conflict of interest?
Sometimes during Counselling or Mediation, the worker becomes aware (not always immediately) that they know a significant person in your situation. This may be that they have met them professionally or know them personally. The Counsellor, while trying to maintain confidentiality of the other person, will inform you of this as soon as they realise. It is very difficult for a Counsellor or Mediator to be fully impartial and give you the best professional service if they have such a ‘conflict of interest’, especially if there is conflict between you and the person they know. Generally it’s considered unprofessional to continue in those circumstances so it is best for the client to be referred to another Counsellor or Mediator.
