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Ethical Minute Paper 2
Orientation to Counseling Professional Identity (Liberty
University)
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Running head: ETHICAL MINUTE PAPER 2 1
Ethical Minute Paper 2 -
Records Michael B. Blue
Liberty University
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The Client and Her Records
In this case, I believe that the counselor should not give the client full access to her
records. She has shown a pattern of seeking out a counselor and then leaving to find another after
a few sessions. The counselor’s personal notes do not fall under reasonable access for the client.
The client showing herself not to be competent enough to deal with the entirety of her records. If
the counselor sees sufficient evidence that giving the client access to will do more harm than
good may limit the access of the client’s records (ACA, 2014).
American Code of Ethics
According to the American Counseling Association (2014), states in code B.6.e that
clients may have reasonable access to their records. It is up to the counselor to determine
whether or not the client should have access to all of their records. Counselors should document
the reason and the rationale of the client for wanting to see their records. If the counselor sees
any evidence that the client seeing their records would detrimental to their progress the
counselor may decline to show the records to them.
ACA B.6.f (2014), states that if the client request to see their records, the counselor
should do their best to help the client understand what is in their record. Personal notes written
by the counselor and official records may need to be interpreted by the counselor for the client.
Ohio Code of Ethics
The Ohio code of ethics for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family
therapists has very similar guidance for providing clients with their records. According to the
Revised Code 4757-5-09 (2011), if the counselor believes that the client may be confused or
misunderstand their record, then it is the counselor’s responsibility to help the client understand.
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If there is a fear that there may be an adverse reaction to the information held within the records,
the counselor may restrict the access that the client has with their records.
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References
33 Ohio Rev. Code. § 4757.11 (2011), available at
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4757.11 American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014
ACA code of
ethics. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2014-
code-of-ethics-finaladdress.pdf
