Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is the ethical obligation concerning client records?

1. Therapists must keep records public for transparency

2. Therapists must maintain accurate, secure, and confidential records

3. Therapists should destroy records after a year

4. Therapists are not obligated to keep any records

The correct answer is: Therapists must maintain accurate, secure, and confidential records

Therapists have an ethical obligation to maintain accurate, secure, and confidential records of their clients. This requirement is fundamental to ensuring the integrity of the therapeutic process, as it protects client privacy and fosters trust in the therapeutic relationship. Accurate records allow therapists to monitor progress, plan treatment effectively, and provide continuity of care, which is essential for effective therapeutic outcomes. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapeutic practice, meaning that client records must be safeguarded to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and disclosure. This obligation aligns with ethical guidelines and laws governing mental health practices, which emphasize the importance of both maintaining detailed clinical notes and upholding client confidentiality. The options that suggest keeping records public, destroying them after a year, or not keeping them at all do not reflect the ethical standards and legal requirements that govern the practice of marriage and family therapy. Keeping records confidential and secure ensures that clients feel safe sharing personal information, which is critical to the effectiveness of therapy.