Who Is My Client? Maintaining Paperwork When the Client Changes

Abstract

The ethical codes of American Counseling Association (ACA) and International Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC) both address the importance of defining who the client is. It becomes very critical when more than one person is involved in the therapeutic process because it dictates therapeutic interventions and several other issues such as confidentiality, file maintenance, and informed consent. When the initial therapeutic relationship is altered by the addition of either the spouse or a couple being separated into individual counseling for a limited number of sessions, counselors must address their philosophical belief about keeping secrets. These issues will be addressed through two case scenarios using the ACA and IAMFC ethical codes. One suggestion of linking clients and their multiple files is given.