Obtaining Informed Consent

Abstract

For counseling to be ethical, clients must clearly understand the process and be aware that they have autonomy in participating. Informed consent is the counselor's responsibility to ensure the client understands the potential risks and benefits associated with therapy, assessment, research, or any other activities they may engage in. The client's agreement to participate in the counseling process should be voluntary, and they have the right to comprehend its implications and freely choose to participate. Ethical codes demand informed consent, and the client's well-being is the top priority. Informed consent includes various key components, such as understanding the procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives to counseling, the confidentiality limits, and the logistics of counseling. It is crucial to understand that informed consent is a continuous partnership and collaboration agreement between the client and counselor.