Obtaining clinical writing informed consent versus using client disguise and recommendations for practice

Abstract

Clinical writing about psychotherapy clients has long been a part of didactic texts and research articles because it allows new treatments and interventions to be presented in an effective and memorable way. The main ways that clinicians write about their clients include obtaining informed consent, using client disguise, or creating case composites. Although many clinicians use a combination of all three approaches, this article specifically addresses the implications of using clinical writing informed consent. The present article begins with a brief history of clinical writing and an examination of the relevant standards in the current APA Ethics Code and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; this is followed by a discussion of the benefits of engaging in the clinical writing informed consent process. Subsequently, the limitations of using clinical writing informed consent are explored, including the potentially negative impact on the therapeutic alliance and the client's progress. The article concludes that clinicians should be cautious when deciding to engage in clinical writing informed consent. Recommendations in the form of a checklist are provided to help clinicians identify when it is most appropriate to use client disguise or case composites, and how to do so, as well as when it is appropriate to engage in clinical writing informed consent. Future directions are considered.