Assent in Therapy

Assent refers to a client’s active, ongoing willingness to participate in services. 

While consent authorizes treatment, assent reflects how a client feels about participating in sessions in real time.

Assent may be communicated verbally or nonverbally and includes indicators such as engagement, choice-making, collaboration, and expressed comfort with goals and activities. 

Just as importantly, assent can change. 

A client may express withdrawal of assent through words, behavior, or decreased engagement with goals or sessions. 

At VOICE ABA, assent is viewed as an essential component of ethical, effective services. 

Clients are encouraged to participate in goal selection, session structure, and pacing. 

When assent is present, learning is more meaningful and skills are more likely to generalize beyond sessions.

If a client withdraws assent, services pause and goals are reviewed collaboratively. 

This process allows for adjustment of expectations, strategies, or supports to ensure that services remain aligned with the client’s values, readiness, and autonomy.

Respecting assent supports:

• Self-advocacy and decision-making
  
  

• Sustainable skill development
  
  

• Trust and collaboration
  
  

• Dignity and autonomy in therapeutic relationships