Informed Consent in Clinical Work

Informed consent is an ethical and legal concept that concerns the client’s right to be aware of the counseling process and participate in decisions regarding their therapy. It is generally considered one of the most basic rights of clients in counseling. The goal is to provide information to enable the client to make a free and informed choice about whether or not to enter into the therapeutic contract. Counselors working with individuals, couples, and families must recognize the unique difficulties related to informed consent. Understanding how to address these challenges is important to protect clients’ rights, support their independence, and obtain the best possible outcomes in therapy.