Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

The necessity of informed consent from a client is most closely aligned with which ethical principle?

1. Justice

2. Autonomy

3. Nonmaleficence

4. Beneficence

The correct answer is: Autonomy

The necessity of informed consent from a client is most closely aligned with the ethical principle of autonomy. Autonomy refers to the right of individuals to make decisions about their own lives and bodies, which includes the freedom to make informed choices regarding their participation in counseling or therapy. Informed consent is a process through which clients receive comprehensive information about the nature of the services, potential risks and benefits, and their rights as clients, thus empowering them to make choices aligned with their personal values and beliefs. By ensuring that clients fully understand and agree to the proposed interventions, counselors respect and uphold the principle of autonomy. This is foundational in building a trusting therapeutic relationship, as clients need to feel that their preferences and decisions are valued and acknowledged. Consequently, informed consent not only affirms a client's ability to self-govern but also emphasizes the ethical obligation of counselors to provide necessary information for clients to make fully informed decisions about their treatment.