How should a recovery coach document sessions to protect client privacy and support continuity of care?

• A. Highly detailed personal narratives with subjective judgments and diagnoses.
• B. Objective, non-judgmental notes including goals, progress, actions taken, referrals, consent for disclosures, and date/time; stored securely per policy.
• C. Only audio recordings kept for privacy reasons.
• D. Notes stored publicly for accessibility.

Answer: (B)

Documentation that protects privacy and supports continuity of care relies on clear, factual notes that can be trusted by other professionals. The best approach is objective, non-judgmental records that include the client’s goals, progress toward those goals, actions taken during the session, referrals made, consent for disclosures, and the date and time of the contact, all stored securely in line with policy. This kind of notes package helps maintain confidentiality while ensuring that anyone involved in the client’s care has the necessary information to pick up where the last session left off, without requiring the client to repeat details. It also supports accountability, proper coordination with other services, and compliance with legal and ethical standards by documenting what was done, what was agreed to, and who can be told what and when. Consent for disclosures is crucial because it clarifies when information can be shared and with whom, balancing privacy with the need for coordinated care. In contrast, records that are highly detailed, subjective narratives can introduce bias and privacy risks; relying only on audio recordings omits a usable written record for teams and continuity; and notes stored publicly would violate client confidentiality and professional norms.