Professional Ethics

No, not without a signed release of information (ROI) from you (the client).

Mental health providers should promptly return calls from current clients as well as from potential clients. This is even true if the social worker (or counselor) is unable to make an appointment with the caller. In that case the social worker should call you back to let you know that he is unable... more

Yes, your former social worker should return your phone call.It is the professional ethic to do so and plain human decency to do so.If he doesn't, there is nothing you can directly do about the fact of his ignoring you.There are formal complaints you can make, which you can consider doing.What... more

I worked for an organization that had a similar policy, although I'm not aware of it ever being enforced. Most of the employees were in recovery and active in 12-step programs. It has always been my personal practice that if I am present at a meeting and encounter a current client, I will leave. No... more

Seems you would benefit more from legal guidance than from therapist advice.For example, I imagine policy must be presented in writing to the prospective employee prior to signing a contract of employment.If you were not given in writing the organization's policy of employees not being permitted to... more

There can be many reasons why?

Client has reached their goals they hired the coach/ counselor for

Client is not progressing or taking a path forward.

Client is not a good fit

It is usually time to end counseling sessions when it is clear to both the client and the counselor that therapeutic goals have been reached and enough improvement has been made that the client can continue without that support. There are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part this is when... more

Counselors should consider ending counseling sessions or terminating therapy under several different circumstances. Here are a few of the most common:If the client has developed the coping skills for which they came to therapy, counselors should encourage clients to decrease sessions to less often... more

For most:  When the money/insurance runs out.

When best:  When the job is done... and you're feeling much better.

I see a few issues here:First, the age of the child is important. If the child is considered an "adult" by state law with regard to counseling (states differ on this - the range is typically between age 13 and age 18), no one is allowed to be in the session without the child's consent.Second... more