Be Brave: Turn Down Your Client’s Advocacy Requests
How do you respond to a client, who makes multiple legal requests from you? Such as requesting a letter for court on their therapy progress? Or a letter of attendance for their attorney? How do you respond when clients believe it’s your role to legally advocate for them? This can be a sticky place to get caught up in!
Well the good news is, we are not advocates, this is not our role! When it comes to legal issues, we are protectors of our client’s confidentiality. So shouldn’t it be easy to turn down these requests? Okay I know it’s easier said than done. I’ve watched fellow therapists write letters to court, then “freak out” when their clients records got subpoenaed, or when a Judge ordered them to show up in court. This is not what we signed up for!
I know how convincing clients can be, when they desperately need our support in court. Sometimes they will enter into therapy, just to ask for a letter to be written to the Judge. We can do things to protect ourselves, from these situations. So if your client is asking for a letter for the Judge, you can politely decline. It’s best to think about the legal consequences, including how a letter may negatively impact your client.
Here’s 3 ways to protect yourself from becoming an advocate to your client:
Explain clearly to your clients, the Client Consent form, at the beginning of services. This should include what you can and cannot do, as their therapist.
Remind clients of your business policies if they ask you again, to write them a letter for court. And re-explain your role in protecting their confidentiality.
Stand firm, with politely declining their request to advocate for them. Explore resources that can provide advocacy services for your clients. For example if your client is a domestic violence victim and they have a police report number, you can refer them to your local YWCA for advocacy support, including a court advocate.
Remember that it’s your right to protect yourself, from getting involved in legal issues that can negatively impact your license, from getting licensed if you’re an associate, and your therapeutic relationship.