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A couple comes in for couples counseling. The wife is requesting session notes, but the husband is the individual who is the account holder. Can she/how can she receive these notes?

User Ashurexm
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Final answer:

In couples counseling, both parties may have rights to access session notes, regardless of who holds the account. The wife should provide a written request to the counseling center and may need both parties' consent to obtain the notes. If consent is an issue, legal advice may be necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a couple comes in for couples counseling, the confidentiality and access to therapy records can be a complex legal and ethical issue. Generally, both parties in couples counseling have rights to the treatment records. However, the specific laws governing access to these notes can vary by state and the policies of the counseling service provider. If the husband is the individual who is the account holder, this does not necessarily grant him sole access to the session notes, particularly if the counseling was undertaken as a joint activity.

In many cases, session notes may be considered jointly owned, and both parties might have equal rights to access them. Therefore, to address the situation where the wife is requesting session notes, she may be entitled to these notes. She should begin by providing a written request to the counselor or the counseling center, citing any pertinent laws or regulations. Consent from both parties is often required for the release of couple therapy notes. If there is no resolution or if the husband revokes consent, she may need to seek legal advice for further action.

User Tom Padilla
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