The therapeutic relationship is defined as the direct communication between the therapist and the client seeking treatment options (consultations), the specific delivery of the therapeutic modality by the therapist, and clients who enter into therapy, or clients who are already in a therapeutic relationship with the therapist. It is the fundamental right of the client, at all times, to retain their human integrity.
 

Where as, human integrity in this definition is: all the rights and protections afforded a human being, granted by the laws of the land; that is, the Country the Therapist and client are in at the time of the delivery of the therapeutic intervention. The Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the United States Constitution, and/or the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and Freedoms can also define human integrity, for our purposes.
 

Human integrity also encompasses those qualities that make each human an individual. It is further asserted that those conditions which make each person an individual cannot be taken away by any other means, such as, belonging to a certain group, status, orientation, or any other legal preference. It then becomes the Therapist's role to uphold and enhance human integrity over any other goal or responsibility put before him or herself.
 

The therapist and/or the Therapist's staff also have the role of upholding and informing a client that their right to human integrity stands above all else. This can easily be done on intake forms with disclosure statements. The therapist will do his or her best to promote the concept of human integrity with each client. The client will be informed that the fundamental principles of therapy, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, or any other therapy are to establish the client's human integrity within the larger context of the society in which they live in.
 

However, sometimes conflicts arise in regard to dual relationships, HMO's, insurance companies, insurance compensation, disability claims, and other conflicts of interest. It is generally assumed that the client is usually the more vulnerable person in the therapeutic relationship. The therapist's primary duty is then directed toward the client and respect for their rights, as individuals shall not be diminished.
 

It is important to note that: once a client seeking therapeutic services approaches a Therapist, the client has initiated the process of the clinical relationship. As such, there are inherent rights and obligations both parties must meet in order that the process of therapy is advanced for the betterment of both parties involved. The therapist can help ensure that their responsibilities to the client are met by respecting the six client rights as listed below.

• Right of non-discrimination.
• Right to be treated in a fair and ethical manner.
• Right to privacy.
• Right to human integrity.
• Right to self-determination.
• Right to informed consent.

The client has a right and expects that they will not be unjustly discriminated against in any aspect of the therapeutic relationship or in any context thereof. The client will not be discriminated against, in any manner, for those qualities, or traits, which are inherent to their fundamental human characteristics, genetic predispositions, or behaviours.
 

The client has a right to be and will be treated in a manner, which demonstrates respect for the client's knowledge and experience in life. The client will be taught and shown how treatment is going to be undertaken, the effects, and the possible risks involved in any treatment, or in any counselling situation. The client has the right to be informed of any possible implications, side effects, or risks of any therapeutic treatment to the best of the Therapist's knowledge. The client's decisions will be respected and integrated into the therapy process where applicable, and reasonable, based on the therapists understanding of the particular situation and therapeutic modality.
 

The client has rights to privacy before, during, and after the therapy process. The client has a right to be assured that all personal information, including names, dates; telephone numbers, etc... will be safe and protected by the therapist, and his/her office staff. All information disclosed during the course of therapy would be kept confidential by the Therapist and his/her staff; except when there is a potential life threatening risk to the client, others, or as ordered by a legal court. Clients must be assured that the information in files is safe and secure, and will not be viewed by others except when the client gives permission in writing or on a signed consent from. When a consent form is signed the client's information will then only be released to persons stated on the signed consent form. The Therapist will seek to make sure that the collection of information about the client is pertinent at the time of the therapeutic intervention. The information gathered will be used only for the purposes of legal clinical record keeping, therapeutic reasons or for supervision when permission is granted to use information for those purposes.
 

Human integrity is defined in this document as: all those aspects, which define an individual human being, regardless of affiliations, gender, and/or legal preferences. A client's basic and innate human rights are protected and supported before (consultations), during (therapy), and after the clinical process (records kept of file).
 

It is the client's right and free choice to initiate therapy and it is also their right to stop treatment when and if they decide.
 

Before and during treatment the client should be informed that they would be responsible for fulfilling their duties and obligations as a client. Some of these duties will include, but are not limited to homework, assignments or suggestions as directed by the therapist. The client is to be made aware that the degree to which they follow the Therapist's suggestions may enhance or deter the degree to which they notice therapeutic results. That is to say, the results of any particular therapy vary from client to client, and results cannot generally be guaranteed on a clinical or personal level.
 

Therapist will inform and prepare the client for the time when therapy will end. The therapist will allow the client to determine when and if they decide to end the therapeutic relationship based on the therapist's recommendations for termination. The therapist will also give the client suggestions for follow-up treatments, other therapeutic methods, or support groups, which may help in the transition which results in ending the therapeutic relationship.
 

The client has a right to know where and how the information that was collected in the therapy process will be used, and who has a right to see this information. The client will be asked in all instances if certain information from the therapy sessions will or can be used. The therapist will inform the clients that an informed consent form will need to be signed if information is shared with other agencies on the client's behalf. The client will need to approve any release of information, and will be asked if it is acceptable to share certain information. Exclusions will be granted only in cases of extreme emergencies; examples may be that the client poses a danger to self, and/or others (i.e., suicidal intent or homicide). Other exemptions are in cases of court orders and search warrants. In the event of a court order, subpoena, or search warrant, the Agency/Therapist will follow the direction of the court or warrant.