During intake with a young child, which guideline would NOT be appropriate?

• A. Counselors have obligations to parents, while also being responsible for protecting children's rights.
• B. During phone or face-to-face interviews with family members, all questions should be focused on the child.
• C. Parents should be engaged in a conversation about their expectations of counseling, since they may have anxiety about the counseling process for their child.
• D. Confidentiality issues should be addressed with parents of clients who are minors.

Answer: (B)

When working with a young child, intake should balance the child’s rights and welfare with the involvement of parents and clear confidentiality boundaries. Counselors gather information from multiple sources, including the child, the parents, and sometimes other caregivers, to get a full picture of the situation. Engaging parents about their expectations and addressing their anxieties is an appropriate part of the intake process, as it helps set collaboration and goals. Similarly, discussing confidentiality issues with parents of minors is essential to establish trust and understand what information may be shared and with whom.

Saying that all questions during family interviews should be focused only on the child misses a critical part of the process. It overlooks the family context, parental concerns, and practical considerations like consent and support systems, all of which shape effective engagement and planning for treatment.