What must an LPCC do to maintain ethical practice regarding clients with other therapists?

• A. Insist on being the only therapist
• B. Communicate directly with the other therapist
• C. Obtain client consent before consulting
• D. Keep treatment completely separate

Answer: (C)

To maintain ethical practice regarding clients who are seeing other therapists, obtaining client consent before consulting is essential. This action respects the client's autonomy and confidentiality, allowing them to have control over their treatment process. It also aligns with ethical guidelines, which emphasize the importance of informed consent in therapeutic relationships. When a therapist plans to communicate with another therapist involved in a client's care, it's crucial to discuss this with the client first. This makes sure the client is aware of who will be involved in their treatment and agrees to that communication, thereby fostering trust and transparency in the therapeutic process.

While other actions, like insisting on being the only therapist or keeping treatment completely separate, may seem to protect the client's interests, they can actually undermine the collaborative approach that is vital for effective therapy. Communicating directly with another therapist without the client's consent may breach ethical guidelines regarding confidentiality and could damage the therapeutic alliance. Respecting the client’s right to consent is fundamental to ethical practice in counseling.