What must be included in a client’s written consent for information disclosure?

The inclusion of a detailed purpose for the disclosure in a client's written consent is essential for several reasons. First, it ensures that the client is fully informed about why their information is being shared, thereby upholding ethical standards and principles of informed consent. Clients need to understand how their information will be used and who it will be shared with, which enhances transparency and trust between the client and the counselor.

Moreover, detailing the purpose helps protect the client’s privacy. It limits the scope of the information shared to only what is necessary for the stated purpose, which is in alignment with legal regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the U.S. These regulations mandate that any disclosure of client information must be narrowly tailored and justified by a specific need.

Other options do not fulfill the requirements for informed consent in the same way. For instance, simply including the client’s name lacks context and does not provide information about the reason for sharing sensitive data. A counselor's personal opinion is not relevant to the consent process and could compromise the integrity of the disclosure. Lastly, while the date of the engagement might be relevant for record-keeping, it does not provide sufficient detail about the purpose of the disclosure necessary for informed consent.