What is a fundamental guideline concerning the relationship between counselors and parents of minor clients?

The relationship between counselors and parents of minor clients is guided by the principle of communication, particularly regarding the counseling process. Clear and consistent communication is essential in establishing trust and collaboration between the counselor and parents. This allows parents to understand the goals of counseling, the progress being made, and how they can support their child’s development outside of therapy sessions.

Parents play an important role in a minor client's life, and keeping them informed fosters a supportive environment and promotes the client’s well-being. It is also vital for counselors to navigate discussions about confidentiality, ensuring that parents are aware of what can be disclosed and what must remain private to protect the minor client's trust in the therapeutic process.

The other options do not align with the best practices regarding counselor-parent relationships. Maintaining confidentiality is important, but it should not come at the expense of communication. Limiting interactions to phone calls does not provide a comprehensive means of involving parents in the counseling process, while involving all parents in sessions is not always feasible or appropriate for every situation, especially in cases of custody issues or when confidentiality concerns arise.