What type of consent is required for therapy sessions to proceed?

Informed consent is essential in the context of therapy sessions because it ensures that clients are fully aware of the nature of the therapeutic relationship, the methods that will be used, and their rights as clients. This concept is rooted in both ethical practice and legal requirements, emphasizing the client's autonomy and capacity to make informed decisions about their treatment options.

Informed consent involves providing clients with comprehensive information about the therapy process, including potential risks and benefits, confidentiality limits, and the therapist's qualifications. It allows clients to ask questions and engage in a dialogue, thereby fostering a transparent and collaborative therapeutic environment. This not only protects the clients but also the therapists, as it helps establish clear boundaries and expectations.

While general consent may imply that a client agrees to participate in therapy, it does not capture the depth of understanding required to make informed choices about their treatment. Written consent can be a part of the informed consent process, but it is not the sole requirement; simply obtaining a signature does not guarantee that the client is genuinely informed. Similarly, implied consent usually refers to situations where consent is assumed based on the circumstances, which does not suffice in a therapeutic context where clients must be explicitly informed and actively agree to the therapeutic approach.

Thus, informed consent is the correct answer