Counselors should inform parents and legal guardians about confidentiality as it applies to the child's counseling sessions and work to establish a collaborative relationship with parents (ACA, 2005, Standard B.5. B). Under federal and state laws, counselors must protect confidentiality. “When information is to be released, the parent must be notified. Furthermore, the child should receive an explanation appropriate to his or her developmental capacity to understand why his or her privacy is being violated” (ACA, 2005, Standard B.5.c.). According to Standard A.2.a., clients have the right to informed consent and the freedom to decide to enter and remain in therapy after understanding their rights and responsibilities, as well as the responsibilities of the counselor (ACA, 2005). “Counselors must respect clients' right to privacy unless they reveal an intent to harm themselves or others or when the client discloses that he or she has a communicable, life-threatening disease (Standard B.1.b., Standard B.1.c., and norm