What document must a client receive before counseling services can be provided?

A professional disclosure statement is essential for clients before receiving counseling services as it outlines important information about the counselor’s qualifications, the nature of the counseling relationship, ethical standards, and the treatment process. This document is designed to ensure that clients are fully informed about what to expect and their rights and responsibilities within the counseling process. It promotes transparency and trust, allowing clients to make educated decisions about their engagement in counseling.

The other choices may provide important information in various contexts, but they do not fulfill the specific regulatory requirements in many jurisdictions. A confidentiality agreement focuses on the client-counselor confidentiality aspect but does not cover broader information about services. A verbal explanation of services is less formal and may not provide the necessary details that a written document would. A service agreement contract might outline the terms of service but does not typically encompass the educational and ethical disclosures required to inform clients adequately before beginning counseling. Hence, the requirement for a professional disclosure statement stands out as the foundational document to be received by clients before counseling services can commence.