What is Informed Consent?

Informed Consent” is an umbrella term for all the documents you sign when you go to your first therapy appointment. Sometimes, you’ll fill out paperwork with the therapist’s office assistant before your first visit. These documents are basically a formal way of saying you know that your participation in therapy is voluntary. 

If you’ve been in therapy for a while, you may have forgotten all the forms you signed on the first day. But don’t worry—if your therapy is going well, there’s no need to worry.

Besides, when you look at all the paperwork, the words “Informed Consent” aren’t written on them anywhere!

“Informed Consent consists of all the documents you fill out, as well as what your therapist discusses with you concerning how therapy will proceed.”

Your therapist needs to ensure that you fully understand and agree to the treatment you’ll receive. This umbrella term, “Informed Consent,” creates trust with your therapist by making you an active participant in your own care.

Informed Consent allows the therapist to have all the legally required documents signed and confirmed. By ensuring everything is covered, and all the documents are signed, your therapist satisfies the code of ethics requirements that therapists are bound to follow.

Some other topics within Informed Consent include discussing with your therapist how you’re going to begin therapy and the therapist describing, in general terms, what to expect during each session. 

Informed Consent includes some practical concerns, such as the number of minutes each session will last, how you will be billed, and how you plan to pay for sessions. Keep in mind that some of these more practical items might be discussed with an office assistant whose job is to handle billing and insurance.

Your therapist will also either talk to you or have a form describing how to communicate with your therapist and/or their office outside of your session time.  Information about the hours of operation and how to cancel and reschedule an appointment will also be covered.

Informed Consent lays out the ground rules for that particular therapist. By keeping you informed and involved, your therapist creates a safe and supportive environment for you.

Citation(s):
– American Psychological Association. (2017). *Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct*. American Psychological Association.

– GoodTherapy. *Informed Consent*. Available at: [GoodTherapy](https://www.goodtherapy.org).