What must be documented when providing counseling to a minor without notifying parents?

• A. The reason for not notifying the parents or guardian
• B. The client's mental health history
• C. The age of the client
• D. The consent given by the client

Answer: (A)

When providing counseling to a minor without notifying parents, documenting the reason for not notifying the parents or guardian is crucial for ethical and legal compliance. This documentation serves multiple purposes. First, it helps ensure that the counselor has a clear and justifiable rationale for the decision, particularly in cases where there may be concerns about the minor's safety or well-being if the parents were to be informed. Second, it serves as a protective measure for the counselor, providing a record that can defend the decision should questions arise later.

Additionally, ethical guidelines often emphasize the importance of safeguarding the minor’s best interests, and the reasoning behind notifying—or not notifying—parents is central to that consideration. This process ensures that decisions made are responsible, justified, and accountable. While the minor's mental health history, age, and consent are all important factors in the counseling process, they do not serve the specific documentation needs regarding the decision to not notify parents.