How to ethically thank a client for a referral

Previously, I wrote about the tricky topic of client referrals: how do you ethically thank a client for a referral without breaking client confidentiality. The opinions on this are somewhat mixed.

In my practice, I use a somewhat “middle” approach. If my clients refer someone to me, then I thank them for that on the spot. If the friend actually contacts me mentioning the client as the referral source, I make a specific point of asking if the friend (my now new client) is ok with me mentioning that they have signed up for sessions if the referring client should ever ask about this (“did my friend actually come and see you??”). If they’re not, then I will decline answering, stating that confidentiality needs to be maintained. If they’re ok with this, I will make a note of this on their file. I will not bring the topic up with the referring client anymore, unless they specifically ask about it, and might then say: “yes, s/he did; thanks again for the referral.” And that’s it.

Devise your own way. Obviously, the content of what you discuss with clients is at all times confidential (aside from the few existing exceptions). As a thanks for a referral: it depends on the permission of the new client. Are they ok with the referring client knowing they have signed up for sessions as well, or not. That will, at least in my practice, be decisive.