Client and Therapist “Bills of Rights”
There are many types of therapy, and your session may look quite different from someone else’s. However, there are some things that you are entitled to regardless of methodology. Below are some things you are entitled to as a client, and then some things that your therapist deserves too.
Client Rights
(Note: Most of these were borrowed from the National Board for Certified Counselors. You can find the original here: https://www.nbcc.org/Assets/Ethics/NBCC_CSI-Booklet.pdf)
You have the right to:
Select a professional counselor who meets your needs.
Receive specific information about your counselor’s qualifications, including education, experience, national counseling certifications, and state licensure.
Obtain a copy of the code(s) of ethics your counselor must follow.
Receive a written explanation of services offered, time commitments, fee scales, and billing policies prior to receipt of services.
Understand your counselor’s areas of expertise and scope of practice (e.g., career development, adolescents, couples, etc.).
Ask questions about confidentiality and its limits as specified in state laws and professional ethical codes.
Receive information about emergency procedures (e.g., how to contact your counselor in the event of a crisis).
Ask questions about counseling techniques and strategies, including potential risks and benefits.
Establish goals and evaluate progress with your counselor.
Request additional opinions from other mental health assessment professionals.
Understand the implications of diagnosis and the intended use of psychological reports.
Obtain copies of records and reports.
Terminate the counseling relationship at any time.
Share any concerns or complaints you may have regarding a professional counselor’s conduct with the appropriate professional counseling organization or licensure board.
To have any confusion regarding payment, scheduling, or other matters clarified.
To be treated with respect at all times
Therapist Rights
To be part of discussions regarding the client’s desire to stop or change parts of therapy, or to discontinue work with the therapist.
To know as soon as possible if a client is not going to make it to a scheduled session.
To receive feedback on what is and is not working for the client
The right to maintain boundaries and have a personal life that is separate from therapy work
To break confidentiality if the client or someone else is in imminent danger.
To be treated with respect at all times.
One of the more important points is the last one listed on both lists – respect. As a “therapist” and a “client”, we can feel that those labels make us very different from one another. But ultimately we are both people, and as people we can disagree and make mistakes but still be deserving of basic human respect. As much as possible, make sure you are getting it, and that you are giving it as well, both in therapy and elsewhere in your life.