Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024
Section 10.58.03.05 - The Counseling RelationshipA. Client Welfare and Rights. (1) A counselor shall: (a) Inform clients of the purposes, goals, techniques, procedures, limitations, potential risks, and benefits of services to be performed;(b) Explain to clients the implications of diagnosis, the intended use of tests and reports, fees, and billing arrangements;(c) Document attempts to inform other professional persons concurrently providing mental health services to a client;(d) Assist clients in making appropriate arrangements for the continuation of treatment due to interruptions including but not limited to vacations and extended illness; and(e) Make appropriate referrals.(2) A counselor may not: (a) Place or participate in placing clients in positions that may result in damaging the interests and the welfare of clients, employees, employers, or the public;(b) Condone or engage in discrimination based on age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status;(c) Abandon or neglect clients in counseling; or(d) Foster dependent counseling relationships.B. Dual Relationships. (1) A counselor shall: (a) Avoid dual relationships with clients; and(b) Take appropriate measures, including but not limited to, informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation to ensure that judgment is not impaired and no exploitation occurs if a dual relationship cannot be avoided.(2) A counselor may not: (a) Exploit trust and dependency in relationships with supervisees, employees, research participants, students, or volunteers; or(b) Accept as clients superiors or subordinates with whom a counselor has administrative, supervisory, or evaluative relationships.C. Multiple Clients. (1) A counselor shall clarify the unit of treatment in a counselor's written records as: (e) Any combination of §C(1)(a)-(d) of this regulation.(2) A counselor shall identify in the written records individuals present in sessions, but not a part of the unit of treatment.(3) A counselor shall communicate limitations on confidentiality to all clients.D. Termination and Referral. (1) Termination may occur if: (a) Services are no longer requested by a client;(b) Counseling no longer serves a client's needs or interests;(c) A counselor is unable to competently and ethically perform duties;(d) A client does not pay the fees charged; or(e) Agency or institution limits do not allow further counseling services.(2) A counselor may terminate a counseling relationship only after:(a) Securing a client's agreement; or(b) If a client does not agree to termination, offering an appropriate referral.Md. Code Regs. 10.58.03.05
Regulations .05 adopted effective October 1, 2001 (28:19 Md. R. 1685)