What term describes the process of informing a client about the risks, benefits, and expected outcome of therapy?

• A. Informed Consent
• B. Abuse
• C. Confidentiality
• D. Tarasoff case-duty to warn

Answer: (A)

The process of informing a client about the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of therapy is called informed consent. This isn’t just a one-time form; it’s an ongoing conversation that helps the client understand what therapy might involve, including potential benefits and possible risks, the likely course of treatment, and any alternatives. It also covers important details like the limits of confidentiality and the rights to ask questions or withdraw consent at any time. This practice protects client autonomy, supports shared decision-making, and fulfills ethical and legal standards in counseling.

Abuse is unrelated to this process. Confidentiality concerns keeping what the client shares private, not describing what therapy entails or its risks and benefits. The Tarasoff duty to warn refers to a specific legal obligation to warn or protect a potential third party if a client poses a serious risk, not the general process of informing a client about therapy.