Chapter 3 Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice

Question 1

A higher level of ethical
practice that addresses doing what is in the best
interests of clients.

Answer 1

Aspirational ethics

Question 2

Evaluating the relevant factors in
a client’s life to identify themes for further exploration
in the counseling process.

Answer 2

Assessment

Question 3

A departure from a commonly
accepted practice that could potentially
benefi t a client (e.g., attending a client’s wedding).

Answer 3

Boundary crossing

Question 4

A boundary crossing that
takes the practitioner out of the professional
role, which generally involves exploitation. It is a serious breach that harms the client and is therefore
unethical.

Answer 4

Boundary violation

Question 5

This is an ethical concept, and
in most states therapists also have a legal duty
not to disclose information about a client

Answer 5

Confi dentiality

Question 6

The analysis and explanation of a
client’s problems. It may include an explanation
of the causes of the client’s diffi culties, an account
of how these problems developed over time, a
classifi cation of any disorders, a specifi cation of
preferred treatment procedure, and an estimate
of the chances for a successful resolution.

Answer 6

Diagnosis

Question 7

A counselor
assumes two (or more) roles simultaneously or
sequentially with a client. This may involve assuming
more than one professional role or combining
professional and nonprofessional roles.

Answer 7

Dual or multiple relationships

Question 8

To make ethical decisions,
consult with colleagues, keep yourself informed
about laws affecting your practice, keep up to
date in your specialty fi eld, stay abreast of developments
in ethical practice, refl ect on the impact
your values have on your practice, and be willing
to engage in honest self-examination.

Answer 8

Ethical decisions

Question 9

Psychotherapists
are required to base their practice on techniques
that have empirical evidence to support
their effi cacy.

Answer 9

Evidence-based practice (EBP)

Question 10

The right of clients to be
informed about their therapy and to make autonomous
decisions pertaining to it.

Answer 10

Informed consent

Question 11

The view of ethical practice
that deals with the minimum level of professional
practice.
Nonprofessional

Answer 11

Mandatory ethics

Question 12

Additional relationships

with clients other than sexual ones.

Answer 12

Nonprofessional interactions

Question 13

An approach taken by practitioners
who want to do their best for clients
rather than simply meet minimum standards to
stay out of trouble.

Answer 13

Positive ethics

Question 14

Using data generated
during treatment to inform the process and
outcome of treatment.

Answer 14

Practice-based evidence

Question 15

A legal concept
that generally bars the disclosure of confi dential
communications in a legal proceeding.

Answer 15

Privileged communication

Question 16

1. Mandatory ethics is a higher level of
   ethical practice that addresses doing
   what is in the best interests of clients

Answer 16

f

Question 17

2. It is unethical for us to meet our
   personal needs through our professional
   work

Answer 17

f

Question 18

3. Professional codes of ethics educate
counseling practitioners and the
general public about the responsibilities
of the profession and provide
a basis for accountability.

Answer 18

t

Question 19

4. It is a mistake to equate behaving

legally with being ethical

Answer 19

t

Question 20

5. Looking at the relevant ethics codes
   for general guidance is the last step
   one should take when faced with an
   ethical problem

Answer 20

f

Question 21

6. Informed consent is an ethical requirement
   that is an integral part of
   the therapeutic process; however, it
   is not a legal requirement

Answer 21

f

Question 22

7. Informed consent is a positive approach
   that helps clients become
   active partners and true collaborators
   in their therapy.

Answer 22

t

Question 23

8. Privileged communication is a legal
   concept that generally bars the disclosure
   of confi dential communications
   in a legal proceeding.

Answer 23

t

Question 24

9. In reasoning through any ethical
   dilemma, there is usually just one
   course of action to follow.

Answer 24

f

Question 25

``` 10. The central aim of evidence-based practice is to require psychotherapists to base their practice on techniques that have empirical evidence to support their effi cacy. ```

Answer 25

t

Question 26

``` 11. Which of the following statements about diagnosis is NOT true? a. Diagnosis is the analysis and explanation of a client’s problems. b. Diagnosis is always a part of the assessment process in counseling. c. Diagnosis consists of identifying a specifi c mental disorder based on a pattern of symptoms. d. None of these (they are all true). ```

Answer 26

b

Question 27

``` 12. What is the primary rationale for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the client as the initial step in the therapeutic process? a. Specifi c counseling goals cannot be formulated and appropriate treatment strategies cannot be designed until a client’s past and present functioning is understood. b. Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the client offers inexperienced therapists a concrete framework from which to practice. Seasoned clinicians rarely use this approach since they can quickly assess the client’s problem. c. Insurance companies require clinicians to submit a comprehensive assessment of the client in order to fully reimburse them for services. d. Those who conduct comprehensive assessments of their clients are protected from being sued for malpractice. ```

Answer 27

a

Question 28

``` 13. What does the acronym DSM stand for? a. Deviance and Sociopathy Manual b. Developmental and Statistical Measurement of Mental Disorders c. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders d. Diagnostic and Statistical Measurement Reference Guide ```

Answer 28

c

Question 29

``` 14. Kendra is a biracial client who presents as being reserved and passiveand who makes minimal eye contact. Her therapist should a. consider that Kendra’s behavior and mannerisms may refl ect distinctive ethnic and cultural patterns. b. diagnose Kendra as being depressed. c. view Kendra’s behavior as resistance to the therapeutic process. d. confront Kendra immediately to ensure that future sessions are more productive. ```

Answer 29

a

Question 30

``` 15. Generally speaking, the concept of privileged communication does NOT apply to a. group counseling. b. couples counseling and family therapy. c. child and adolescent therapy. d. all of these ```

Answer 30

d

Question 31

``` 16. David is a counselor trainee who is working in a mental health center under the supervision of Dr. Garcia. In order to behave in an ethical manner, David should a. inform his clients at the outset of counseling that he plans to consult with his supervisor Dr. Garcia in order to ensure that he is providing them with high quality care. b. not reveal to his clients that he is a trainee under supervision so as to prevent them from questioning his competence, which could undermine the therapeutic process. c. ask Dr. Garcia to sit in on every session he conducts to ensure that he is developing competence. d. refuse to work with actual clients until he is a highly competent therapist. ```

Answer 31

a

Question 32

17. Ethics codes a. are intended to provide ready-made answers for the ethical dilemmas that practitioners will encounter. b. are becoming so specifi c that they have nearly eliminated the need for practitioners to use critical thinking skills and clinical judgment when faced with ethical issues. c. are best used as guidelines to formulate sound reasoning and serve practitioners in making the best judgments possible. d. are so general that they are of little, if any, use to clinicians.

Answer 32

c

Question 33

``` 18. Paula recently discovered that two of her clients that she sees individually had a stormy relationship in the past. She is wondering whether she can remain objective in working with them. Paula should a. look at the relevant ethics codes for general guidance on the matter. b. brainstorm various possible courses of action. c. discuss options with other professionals to get their perspectives. d. all of these. ```

Answer 33

d

Question 34

``` 19. When the author uses the term multiple relationships, he is referring to a. dual relationships and nonprofessional relationships. b. the large caseloads of therapists. c. the pattern that some clients have of cheating on their signifi - cant others and juggling several relationships at once. d. serial monogamy ```

Answer 34

a

Question 35

``` 20. In many mental health settings, clinicians are pressured to use interventions that a. tap into unconscious dynamics. b. are research-supported even if they are lengthy. c. are brief and standardized. d. focus on early ```

Answer 35

c

Question 36

``` 21. Which of the following is NOT one of the three pillars of EBP? a. looking for the best available research b. relying on the best available legal advice c. relying on clinical expertise d. taking into consideration the client’s characteristics, culture, and preferences. ```

Answer 36

b

Question 37

``` 22. Which of the following accounts for more of the treatment outcome? a. the therapist’s theoretical orientation b. the therapeutic method employed c. client factors d. the duration of treatment ```

Answer 37

c

Question 38

``` 23. The ACA Code of Ethics stresses that counseling professionals must learn how to a. manage multiple roles and responsibilities in an ethical way. b. eliminate multiple roles altogether in order to keep boundaries from becoming blurred. c. sensitively confront colleagues who are juggling multiple roles. d. fi le ethics complaints when they witness a colleague engaging in various professional roles. ```

Answer 38

a

Question 39

``` 24. Except for , which is unequivocally unethical, there is not much consensus regarding the appropriate way to deal with multiple relationships. a. socializing with clients b. sexual intimacy with current clients c. bartering with clients (e.g., goods for services) d. sexual attraction to clients e. all of these ```

Answer 39

b

Question 40

``` 25. Dr. Hernandez has been invited to the wedding of her client Cynthia. If she accepts the invitation, a. Dr. Hernandez will be committing a boundary violation. b. Dr. Hernandez will be engaging in a boundary crossing. c. Dr. Hernandez will be acting unethically. d. Dr. Hernandez will be breaking the law and could spend some time in jail. ```

Answer 40

b