Consent Form for Video Recording Therapy Sessions Template (PDF and Word Doc)

Recording a therapy session — whether for clinical supervision, professional consultation, or training purposes — requires explicit, documented consent from the client before recording begins. A verbal agreement is not sufficient. The Informed Consent for Recording Therapy Sessions template provides a structured, signed document that establishes exactly what was agreed to, by whom, and under what conditions — creating a legally defensible record that protects both the client and the clinician.

Available as both an editable Word document and a fillable PDF, the Consent Form for Recording Therapy Sessions template covers audio recording, video recording, or both — with clear client authorization checkboxes for each. It can be completed digitally or printed for in-person signature and filed alongside other intake documentation in the client record.

What the Template Covers

The form addresses every component of audio and video recording consent that clinical ethics codes and HIPAA guidelines require — organized into clearly labeled sections so nothing is overlooked:

• Purpose of recording — the clinician documents the specific clinical reason for recording (supervision, consultation, training, or other) and whether the consent applies to a single session or ongoing sessions
• Recording details — method (audio, video, or both), device or platform used, storage location, named individuals who will have access, duration of access, and the date the recording will be deleted or destroyed
• Third-party participants — a dedicated section requiring separate consent from any individual other than the identified client who will be present during a recorded session
• Client rights — voluntary consent, confidentiality protections, authorized access limits, secure storage requirements, right to stop audio or video recording mid-session, withdrawal of consent for future recordings, retention and destruction standards, and the right to request a copy
• Client authorization checkboxes — audio recording only, video recording only, both audio and video recording, or no consent — clearly separated so the client’s specific authorization is unambiguous
• Signature block — client signature and date, clinician countersignature, and documentation tracking checkboxes
• Minor client section — parental or guardian consent for audio and/or video recording with a separate field for minor client assent when developmentally appropriate, including documentation of whether assent was obtained and the reason if not
• Additional participant section — a separate consent block for any third party present during the recorded session, with their own audio and video authorization checkboxes and signature line

How This Template Is Used in Practice

The consent form is completed before any audio or video recording begins — typically at intake when recording is anticipated from the start of treatment, or at the session preceding the first planned recording when it arises later in treatment. The clinician completes the recording details section, the client reviews and signs, and the completed form is filed in the clinical record.

Key use cases include:

• Clinical supervision — establishing a clear legal pathway for an approved supervisor to review audio or video recordings of sessions as part of the supervisory relationship
• Professional consultation — documenting consent when an audio or video recording will be reviewed by a consultant outside the treating relationship
• Training and education — creating a defensible consent record when audio or video recordings are used for clinical training purposes within a practice or training program
• Group and family sessions — ensuring that every individual present in a recorded session has provided separate, documented consent for audio and/or video recording before recording begins

Clinical and Practice Benefits

• Creates a documented, signed record of audio and video recording consent that satisfies HIPAA requirements and professional ethics standards
• Eliminates ambiguity about what type of recording was authorized — audio, video, or both — who will have access, and how long the recording will be retained
• Protects the clinician in the event of a client complaint, licensing board inquiry, or legal proceeding involving session recordings
• Addresses mid-session stopping rights explicitly — so both the clinician and client understand the procedure if the client requests that audio or video recording stop
• Provides a separate consent pathway for minor clients and third-party participants that meets ethical best practice standards for audio and video documentation

A Note on Clinical Judgment: This form documents a client’s consent to audio and/or video recording at a point in time. A client’s comfort level with being recorded can change across the course of treatment — particularly in response to clinical progress, anxiety, or shifts in the therapeutic relationship. Clinical judgment should guide ongoing evaluation of whether audio or video recording remains appropriate, and cultural or generational sensitivities around observation and digital documentation should inform how the conversation is approached with each client.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. American Counseling Association.
• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. American Psychological Association.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. NASW Press.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2013). The HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules. Office for Civil Rights.