Queston to anybody who has had counselling....

[moimeme]

I've run across something in my course that made me curious; if you have had counselling, were you given an informed consent form to sign?

[Tony T]

My counselling took place sometime ago before people became so litigious and I didn't need to sign one. I think most therapists, at least the one's who have legal counsel and malpractice insurance, get those signed now.

[moimeme]

It's actually a recommended practice in my Counselling Ethics text; not for legal purposes but to protect the client by making sure s/he knows what s/he's getting into. Just wondering if this is followed as a rule or if it's a Canadian practice standard.

[gaia]

I had CBT and signed nothing. Mind you, this is the UK and we're always a bit slower on the litigious stuff!

 

I think in the UK, the fact that you show up for your appointment is taken as implied consent. What does the consent form cover?

[Thinkalot]

No, I didn't sign anything.

[ladyangel]

No, I was not asked to sign an ICF.

[moimeme]

Hm. Interesting. Well, this is according to the Canadian guidelines for ethical practice, and the idea is that the form outlines the education and experience of the counsellor - probably and other things, too, but the idea is to be sure the client's expectations are in line with the service offered. It's about responsibility to the client, about being up front about the counsellor's credentials.

[gaia]

It sounds like a good idea to me. Anything that tries to ensure counsellor and counselled are working towards the right goal is positive.

[Thinkalot]

Yes, does sound like a good move.

 

Speaking about people working towards a common goal...when I first saw my current psych. he seemed to take a long time to figure out what was going on with me...when I thought it should be obvious to him.

He told me when I last saw him (about 6 weeks ago now)...that when I first spoke with him, I was so emotional and anxious about it all, that I went off on all sorts of different angles, and it was hard to establish what the crux of the problem was! And I thought I presented myself calmly! LOL

[gaia]

Does he know what the problem is now?

[yes]

i think i did sign something.

 

-yes

[brashgal]

Yes, I did sign something.

[reachingskywards]

I didn't sign anything... I live in Australia so am not sure what the guidelines are down here in regards to that.

[faux]

Originally posted by moimeme

Hm. Interesting. Well, this is according to the Canadian guidelines for ethical practice, and the idea is that the form outlines the education and experience of the counsellor - probably and other things, too, but the idea is to be sure the client's expectations are in line with the service offered. It's about responsibility to the client, about being up front about the counsellor's credentials.

 

I think that this is a good idea. I have never encountered anything like this in my counselling experiences here in the United States. I am fairly certain that I did not sign forms when being treated by psychiatrists, as well, or when trying new medications.

 

The only point at which I knew I signed forms was during hospitalizations.

[reasontosigh]

The only point at which I knew I signed forms was during hospitalizations.

 

I did sign one last week at my pre-surgery consultation.

 

Seems they are being used for just about everything these days.

[EnigmaXOXO]

Between my ex husband and my daughter, I've seen a total of eight councilors.

 

I never had to sign a thing. . .except the check!

 

We were never required to have our children at the center, or their parents, sign anything either.

 

Perhaps there's a difference between councilors and clinical psychiatrists?

[moimeme]

Perhaps there's a difference between councilors and clinical psychiatrists?

 

Oh for sure. Clinical psychiatrists are medical doctors who have to pass board certification to practice. Counsellors have been much less regulated; there isn't even standardized education for them though I expect the profession is moving in that direction.

[Thinkalot]

Originally posted by gaia

Does he know what the problem is now?

 

Yes, sure does! He was most helpful in helping me sort through it and get some useful techniques. Actually I tried two others before him, and did not find them very helpful.