ABSTRACT
Remember that before you begin to ask questions about why the client is here, you need to explain to the client who you are, how your clinic works, how your work is being supervised, and what the limits of confidentiality are. If you are being watched through a mirror or over videotape or audiotape equipment, this also needs to be explained to the client. Make sure that you are comprehensive in explaining how all client information will be kept confidential before asking clients for their written consent to be interviewed or engaged in treatment. In some states, minors of certain ages can consent to certain types of inpatient or outpatient treatment but not to others. In other states, minors can not consent to any type of treatment. Therefore, the legal guardian of the minor is the one who needs to sign the consent form. You need to follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or your state confidentiality laws. It is recommended that you follow whichever code has the stricter standard (APA, 2002; Newman, 2003). This is all part of helping clients understand what your role is and what their role is. This process of role induction can improve treatment outcomes when carried out effectively (Whiston & Sexton, 1993).
