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

You were the therapist for Miles, age 12. You last saw Miles on January 31, 2020. How long must you keep your records of his treatment?

1. At least until January 31, 2025

2. At least until January 31, 2027

3. At least until Miles turns 18

4. At least until Miles turns 25

The correct answer is: At least until Miles turns 25

The correct choice emphasizes the importance of understanding the requirements for maintaining treatment records for minors. In most jurisdictions, records for minors must be retained until the individual reaches the age of majority, which is typically 18 years. However, because Miles is only 12 years old at the last appointment on January 31, 2020, his records must be kept until he reaches the age of 25, aligning with the common requirement to retain records for a specified number of years after a minor has reached adulthood. Retention policies often specify that records for minors should be kept for a minimum of 7 years after they reach adulthood, effectively extending the record retention requirement beyond the age of 18. Therefore, maintaining records until Miles turns 25 ensures compliance with these guidelines, providing a clear trajectory for safeguarding the therapeutic history of clients who were minors at the time of treatment. This approach balances the need for confidentiality and respect for the client's future autonomy while ensuring that there are adequate records available should any disputes or questions regarding treatment arise in the future. Thus, keeping the records until Miles turns 25 is in line with ethical and legal standards in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.