Informed consent for services is a process where a service provider (or, in some cases, a healthcare practitioner) explains the details, risks, and potential benefits of a particular service or treatment to a patient or client before they agree to receive the service. Doing this ensures that the client fully understands what they are agreeing to and makes sure their consent is given voluntarily and without any undue influence or pressure.   Informed consent for services should not be confused with giving informed consent for research, which is the process whereby a person agrees to participate in research without being told anything about the study. This is particularly important in mental health care, where it may be difficult for someone to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of a particular treatment. Unfortunately, sometimes people might feel pressured by researchers trying to collect data on them or have not been provided with enough information about how an individual's confidentiality would be protected.