What must a counselor ensure regarding a client's records?

A counselor must ensure that a client's records are kept private and confidential, as this is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in the field of counseling. Confidentiality is essential for establishing trust between the counselor and the client, enabling the client to share sensitive information without fear of it being disclosed to others.

Maintaining confidentiality involves securely storing client records and sharing information only with authorized individuals, typically with the client’s explicit consent. This principle protects clients' rights and upholds the integrity of the therapeutic process.

Other options do not align with the confidentiality standard. For example, sharing records with anyone upon request violates confidentiality principles, and destroying records after a certain period without proper guidelines does not respect the client’s rights to access their information. Sharing records for advice can be appropriate under certain circumstances, but it typically requires informed consent and does not reflect a general principle like confidentiality does.