A client must be informed about the limits of confidentiality and the cost of services before the first therapy session. This process is called what?

The correct answer emphasizes the concept of "obtaining informed consent," which is a critical ethical and legal requirement in the field of counseling. This process involves ensuring that clients are fully aware of key elements that pertain to their treatment, such as the limits of confidentiality and the costs associated with the services they will receive.

Obtaining informed consent typically occurs before therapy begins and serves to protect both the client and the counselor by promoting transparency and trust in the therapeutic relationship. It assures clients that they have the right to make informed decisions about their participation in treatment, understanding their rights and responsibilities.

The other choices, while related to the therapeutic process, do not encapsulate this comprehensive requirement. For instance, "consent to treat" could imply an understanding of treatment but does not specifically address the emphasis on confidentiality and costs. "Information disclosure" might refer to general sharing of information but lacks the specific legal framework that informed consent involves. "Client registration" pertains to the administrative process of formally starting a client-counselor relationship and does not include the comprehensive details about treatment elements necessary for informed consent.