Informed consent in career counseling ethical standards refers to:

• A. the client's personal information only
• B. the legal boundaries of the practice
• C. the financial arrangements of the counseling
• D. the purpose, goals, and procedures in the counseling relationship

Answer: (D)

Informed consent means the client understands the purpose of the counseling, the goals to be pursued, and the procedures that will guide the counseling relationship, and then agrees to participate. This ensures transparency about what the counseling aims to accomplish, how assessments and sessions will be conducted, the expected steps and duration, and the client’s rights and responsibilities. It also typically includes a discussion of confidentiality and its limits, potential risks and benefits, and what happens if plans change. While protecting personal information, understanding legal boundaries, and arranging finances are important parts of ethical practice, they do not define the consent to engage in the counseling process itself. The emphasis on purpose, goals, and procedures best captures what clients are agreeing to when they consent to participate.