In what situation is it permissible to treat without obtaining consent?

In therapy, informed consent is an essential ethical and legal requirement that ensures clients are fully aware of and agree to the treatment process. However, there are specific circumstances where it may be permissible to proceed without obtaining consent, with crisis situations being a key instance.

In a crisis situation, such as when a client poses an immediate risk to themselves or others, healthcare providers have a duty to act in order to ensure safety. This duty often overrides the need for prior consent, as the potential harm that could occur if intervention is delayed is severe. In such situations, the ethical principle of beneficence—acting in the best interest of the client—takes precedence, allowing the therapist to provide necessary care even without prior consent.

This principle is rooted in both ethical guidelines and legal statutes, which often outline that when a person's safety is at stake, the need to act may justify intervening without explicit consent. It's important to note that these situations are typically tightly regulated and should follow specific protocols to safeguard client rights and ensure proper documentation is in place following the intervention.