Professional Ethics

Therapy is a journey and like most journeys, there is always an ending. When a client has met their intended goals or has built confidence in skills they have learned in therapy, that's when they begin to transition. Furthermore, if a therapist and client aren't a good match or the therapist... more

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

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

Hi! My name's Cindy. I'm not a psychologist, but I am a pre-licensed professional counselor. I can share with you some details about my college experience and afterward. I attended Texas Woman's University, earning a Master of Science in Counseling & Development with an emphasis on Clinical... more

It is good to hear you are serious about your sobriety. Maintaining confidentiality and professional distance while living in a small community can be difficult. There are alternative programs to support your sobriety online. They offer an extra layer of privacy compared to in-person meetings. You... 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

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 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