My Informed Consent Process

Jashanjot Singh Dhaliwal

Counseling 5310: Ethical & Legal Issues in Counseling
Prof. Steven Brooks
Date: July 24th, 2022
What elements will you include in your informed consent document and why?
- In my informed consent document, I will include the elements of the actual therapeutic
process, the client’s assessment, the therapist’s background, the costs, and the length of
therapy (Corey, 2019). I will also include consultation with colleagues, possible
interruptions, risks and benefits, services using technology, alternatives, client’s access
to files and diagnostic classifying rights, and the purpose of confidentiality (Corey, 2019).
These are all the basic necessities of the informed consent process. Including these basic
elements into the process ensures that the client is getting a thorough view of the
process and how it works so there are no surprises. Also, client’s have a right to know
exactly how their information may be used and the terms and conditions of their
therapeutic relationship with the counsellor.
When will you address informed consent with your clients?
- I will address informed consent with my clients upon the first meeting in most cases.
This is because I would want the former part of the initial meeting to be an introductory
phase where I and the client get to know each other. During this part, I can also assess
what the client needs and the type of treatment he/she may need. During the latter
half, if the client and I agree to start the counselling process at some point, then I can
tell them about the informed consent process. They can read through it at their own
pace and fully understand their rights and responsibilities. If they choose to agree, then
this would be the end of the first session, and this would also give the clients some time
to think about the relationship they have enrolled in.
How will you provide informed consent without overwhelming your clients?
- I will provide informed consent without overwhelming my clients by taking them
through the process step-by-step. This way they can read through the process
themselves and ask any questions they may have as opposed to them just being handed
a document to read and interpret. This allows the client to see that the counsellor is
truly there to help them along with each step, and not just to fulfil their obligations. I
will also offer them the choice to take an rough copy of the informed consent home
with them so they can read it over on their own time.
What will be the value to you personally by employing informed consent?
- Personally, in employing informed consent, the value for me is in establishing a
professional counselling relationship for the client. These are rules set forth for both
counsellor and client in order to ensure safe and effective service. Establishing these
rules and helping the client understand them is a way to honour the professional
relationship between counsellor and client. This process also makes it clear that the
client agrees to the therapeutic relationship and its terms and conditions. Without this
consent process, there is no solid ground to agree to anything, and therefore it is nearly
impossible to provide good service.
 References:

Corey, G., Corey, M. S., Corey, C. (2019). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions, 10th
Edition. [[VitalSource Bookshelf version]]. Retrieved from vbk://9781337671378