In the initial counseling session, clients are sometimes given a formal summary of what to expect from therapy, including goals, techniques, the counselor's qualifications, and limits of confidentiality. This information is called:

• A. Duty to warn
• B. Release of information
• C. Professional liability statement
• D. Statement of disclosure

Answer: (D)

Providing a formal summary of what therapy will involve—goals, techniques, the counselor’s qualifications, and limits of confidentiality—illustrates informed consent in practice. This step gives clients essential information and allows them to decide to engage in treatment with an understanding of what to expect and the boundaries in place, including how confidentiality may be limited.

That explicit statement or discussion is a disclosure about the therapy process, documenting the terms under which services will be provided and the boundaries of confidentiality. It helps set clear expectations, protects both client and counselor, and supports the client’s autonomy in deciding to proceed.

Other options refer to different concepts: the duty to warn relates to specific risk situations, release of information concerns sharing records with others, and a professional liability statement deals with liability issues rather than the therapy process itself. The term that best matches describing the therapy process and confidentiality limits as part of beginning treatment is the disclosure statement.