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