Confidentiality Under Pressure

This flow follows Alex's attempts to protect private disclosures while police, clients, and families demand information.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Prior Patient

Confidential Knowledge The Doss Connection Alex has treated Stacy and learned private details about Joanne's death and Richard's feelings. An Ethical Boundary He understands that those disclosures cannot automatically become investigative evidence.

Richard Gives Permission

Consent Without Clarity A Deliberate Disclosure Alex tells Richard that he is consulting with police on Mate's murder. A Complicated Response Richard tells Alex to continue, but his motives and expectations remain unclear.

Stacy Objects

A Patient's Trust at Risk The Complaint Stacy says Alex should have told her directly that he was working with Milo. A Choice Offered Alex says he will withdraw if she wants, and she eventually asks him to keep investigating.

Safer's Warning

A Lawyer Sets Terms Limited Disclosure Joe Safer reminds Alex that legal and clinical confidentiality operate differently. The Unspoken Request He hints that Alex should not reveal damaging information unless a duty to protect requires it.

The Judgment Call

Secret Knowledge A Private Confession Judy tells Alex about Joanne's abuse of Becky and her own presence at the motel. Silence as Duty Alex leaves without promising to expose the secret, carrying the moral cost of what he now knows.

Before Milo asks for consultation

During their first phone conversation about the case

Mid-September, by telephone

The morning after Richard's arrest

During Alex's conversation with Judy