Which principle is about ensuring clients have rights and the counselor's duties?

• A. Client Relationship
• B. Trustworthiness
• C. Rights and Duties
• D. Compliance with the law

Answer: (C)

This principle centers on balancing what clients are entitled to with what the counselor is responsible for providing. It focuses on protecting clients’ rights—such as informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, autonomy in decision-making, and the ability to participate in treatment—and pairing that with the counselor’s duties, including competent practice, obtaining informed consent, maintaining appropriate boundaries, avoiding harm, and abiding by legal and ethical standards. The emphasis is on ensuring clients are respected and empowered while the counselor fulfills professional responsibilities to deliver safe, effective care. For example, you would clearly explain the treatment process and limits of confidentiality to the client, obtain consent, protect privacy, and document appropriately, while also recognizing when it’s necessary to follow reporting laws or seek supervision to maintain safety and quality of care. Other options relate to the therapeutic relationship, personal credibility, or legal compliance in a broader sense, but they don’t explicitly capture the paired focus on clients’ rights and the counselor’s corresponding duties.