Informed consent involves written, or verbal communication informing the client of the “nature of the information being collected”, how the counseling process works, providing information on standard instruments that are likely to be used, the purpose(s) for which the results will be used”, and their rights to privacy (Whiston, 2013, p. 309). All clients must have an opportunity to give their consent to assessments. By conducting assessments clients may have objection to like Claire, the quality of the assessment results may negatively be impacted anytime a counselor revokes a client’s right to consent to the assessment. Inadvertently, invading a client’s privacy may encourage untruthful answers on an assessment the client feels uncomfortable answering (Whiston, 2013, p. 309).
Starting the counselor-client relationship with trust is important. The informed consent is the beginning of the relationship. Clients need to understand the information they are providing is relevant to the counseling process and not an attempt to invade their privacy. All questioned asked should add value to the counseling process. Clients that agree and understand the information provided is relevant, in my opinion are more likely to feel comfortable, answer questions openly and honestly, to needed responses. In an effort, to prevent compromising the integrity of an assessment counselors must clearly state to the client or client’s parent(s) or guardian(s) the purpose of the assessment and the benefits of the process. Counselors should consider the appropriateness, the psychometric limitations, and whether or not the instruments matches the purpose (Whiston, 2013, pp. 309 - 310).
Sometimes a client’s rights to an explanation have a negative impact on the client. The ACA Code of Ethic in section E.3.b and E. 4 advises counselors to disclose information to the client they can handle at the time of the of the explanation without violating the client's rights. The bases for...