 |
Counseling: Client’s Bill of Rights
You have the right to:
- Confidentiality (know under what circumstances the counselor may discuss your case)
- Receive respectful treatment
- Ask questions at any time and receive respectful answers
- Choose your own lifestyle and have that choice respected by your counselor
- Experience a safe setting, free from abuse of any kind (please note: sexual contact is never appropriate in the counseling session or relationship)
- Disclose only that personal information which you choose, and refuse to answer any question, if you choose
- Refuse treatment or a particular intervention strategy
- Terminate therapy at any time
- Consult as many counselors as you choose until you find someone with whom you feel you can work
- Know what the waiting period is, if any
- Agree to a written contract of counseling goals or treatment plan
- Talk about any part of your counseling with anyone you choose
- Require the therapist to send an extra report regarding your therapy with your written authorization (and advise you of any extra charge)
- Have access to summaries of written files about you at your request, when legally possible
You also have the right to have full information regarding the following:
- Fees, method of payment, and insurance reimbursement
- Counselor’s qualifications to practice
- Counselor’s therapeutic orientation and techniques
- Your diagnosis, if your counselor uses one
- Extent of written or taped records of your counseling sessions and whether you will have access to them
|
|
