Which of the following best describes the Introduction Stage?

• A. All of the above
• B. It begins only after the client signs consent
• C. It involves no rapport-building
• D. It occurs at discharge only

Answer: (A)

The Introduction Stage is the opening phase of counseling where the therapist begins to establish the therapeutic relationship, clarify boundaries and confidentiality, obtain informed consent, and set expectations for the process. It starts at the outset of treatment and involves building rapport with the client from the first contact.

So, the best way to describe it is that it begins once consent is in place and includes rapport-building as part of setting the frame for therapy. It does not happen only at discharge, and it would be inconsistent to say there is no rapport-building in this stage. If a choice asserts all statements are true, it clashes with the elements that clearly belong to the introduction (consent and rapport) versus the elements that describe later phases (like discharge).