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

What is the ethical reason for maintaining client records in therapy?

1. To keep track of client complaints for legal purposes

2. For continuity of care and documenting treatment progress

3. To share with other therapists for additional perspectives

4. To limit client access to their own information

The correct answer is: For continuity of care and documenting treatment progress

The ethical reason for maintaining client records in therapy, particularly for option B, centers on ensuring continuity of care and effectively documenting treatment progress. Maintaining accurate and complete records helps therapists to track the client's journey throughout therapy, which is vital for providing coherent and consistent care. This documentation allows therapists to review previous sessions, understand the client’s history, and adjust treatment plans based on what has been effective. In addition, thorough records facilitate communication among treatment providers when necessary, ensuring that everyone involved in a client's care has access to relevant information. This continuity is essential in therapeutic settings, particularly when clients see multiple professionals or if there is a need for referrals to other specialists. The other options, while they may touch on certain aspects of record-keeping, do not capture the primary ethical purpose of maintaining client records in a therapeutic context. For instance, tracking complaints serves a different function related to legal compliance rather than core therapeutic needs, and sharing records with other therapists must be approached with strict regard for client consent, ensuring their privacy and autonomy are respected. Limiting client access is contrary to ethical standards, as clients generally have the right to access their own records as part of informed consent and transparency in treatment.