Informed Consent Flashcards

A client with a serious mental illness lacks capacity to provide informed consent. The therapist should:

Answer: Seek consent from a legally authorized representative and/or pursue appropriate legal processes

When a client lacks decisional capacity, therapists must seek consent from a legally authorized representative (LAR) such as a conservator or authorized family member.

Informed consent for therapy in California must be documented by:

Answer: Written consent, with the signed form kept in the client's file

California law requires written informed consent documentation to be maintained in the client's record.

A client changes their mind about consenting to a specific treatment component mid-therapy. The therapist should:

Answer: Honor the withdrawal, document it, and explore alternatives with the client

Clients have the right to withdraw consent at any time; therapists must honor this, document it, and work with the client to identify alternative approaches.

Which of the following is NOT required in the written disclosure statement under California Business and Professions Code §4980.54?

Answer: The therapist's personal religious or spiritual beliefs

While therapists may choose to disclose personal beliefs, California's mandatory disclosure requirements focus on professional credentials, approach, fees, and client rights — not personal religious beliefs.

When providing teletherapy services, informed consent must additionally address:

Answer: Technology platform risks, emergency procedures, and jurisdiction-specific considerations

Teletherapy informed consent must include technology-related risks (privacy, platform limitations), emergency protocols for remote sessions, and any interstate practice considerations.

A client asks to see their signed informed consent form. The therapist should:

Answer: Provide a copy promptly, as clients have the right to access their own records

Clients have the right to access their own records, including signed consent forms, under both California law and HIPAA.