What should you do when a client informs you that they are already in therapy with someone else?

• A. Ignore and continue with your own treatment plan.
• B. Discuss it in the current session.
• C. Refer them to the other counselor.
• D. You must send a notification to the other counselor.

Answer: (D)

Coordinating care with other professionals involved in a client’s treatment is essential. When a client says they’re already in therapy elsewhere, the best course is to notify the other counselor so care can be aligned. This supports continuity of treatment, helps prevent duplicative or conflicting interventions, and protects client safety, all while respecting confidentiality and obtaining permission to share information as needed.

Notifying the other counselor is superior to ignoring the information, discussing it in session without consent, or simply referring the client elsewhere, because those approaches fail to ensure coordinated, non-duplicative care.