Final answer:
A licensee must provide written information about the counseling services agreement, confidentiality, fee schedules, qualifications, the course of therapy, potential risks and benefits, client rights, and complaint procedures before services begin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before counseling services can begin, a licensee must provide a client with certain key pieces of information in writing. This typically includes the counseling services agreement or contract, which outlines the scope of services to be provided, confidentiality agreements, fee schedules, and any cancellation policies.
It is also important for the counselor to provide their qualifications, the nature and anticipated course of therapy, and any risks or benefits associated with the services. Depending on the jurisdiction, additional disclosures may be required regarding client rights, complaint procedures, and the limits of confidentiality.
All of these details are essential for informed consent, enabling the individual to understand the proposed services and agree to proceed on an informed basis.