What is the term for the process of informing clients about the treatment they will receive and the potential risks?

The term for the process of informing clients about the treatment they will receive and the potential risks is obtaining informed consent to treatment. This process is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in counseling and healthcare. It ensures that clients fully understand what the treatment involves, any potential benefits and risks, and their right to make decisions about their treatment.

Informed consent is critical because it empowers clients to play an active role in their treatment plan and promotes autonomy in their healthcare decisions. It also helps to build trust in the therapeutic relationship, as clients feel respected and informed about the processes they are engaging in. By obtaining informed consent, counselors fulfill their professional obligations and support the ethical principle of respecting client autonomy.

Other options, such as self-disclosure, relate to the therapist sharing their personal experiences or feelings, which can create deeper connections but does not cover the idea of informing clients about treatment risks and processes. Releasing information primarily concerns privacy and confidentiality rather than understanding treatment, while protecting confidentiality focuses more on safeguarding client information rather than making clients aware of the treatment process.