Chapter 3 Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice Flashcards
A higher level of ethical
practice that addresses doing what is in the best
interests of clients.
Aspirational ethics
Evaluating the relevant factors in
a client’s life to identify themes for further exploration
in the counseling process.
Assessment
A departure from a commonly
accepted practice that could potentially
benefi t a client (e.g., attending a client’s wedding).
Boundary crossing
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.
Boundary violation
This is an ethical concept, and
in most states therapists also have a legal duty
not to disclose information about a client
Confi dentiality
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.
Diagnosis
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.
Dual or multiple relationships
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.
Ethical decisions
Psychotherapists
are required to base their practice on techniques
that have empirical evidence to support
their effi cacy.
Evidence-based practice (EBP)
The right of clients to be
informed about their therapy and to make autonomous
decisions pertaining to it.
Informed consent
The view of ethical practice
that deals with the minimum level of professional
practice.
Nonprofessional
Mandatory ethics
Additional relationships
with clients other than sexual ones.
Nonprofessional interactions
An approach taken by practitioners
who want to do their best for clients
rather than simply meet minimum standards to
stay out of trouble.
Positive ethics
Using data generated
during treatment to inform the process and
outcome of treatment.
Practice-based evidence
A legal concept
that generally bars the disclosure of confi dential
communications in a legal proceeding.
Privileged communication
- Mandatory ethics is a higher level of
ethical practice that addresses doing
what is in the best interests of clients
f
- It is unethical for us to meet our
personal needs through our professional
work
f
3. Professional codes of ethics educate counseling practitioners and the general public about the responsibilities of the profession and provide a basis for accountability.
t
- It is a mistake to equate behaving
legally with being ethical
t
- Looking at the relevant ethics codes
for general guidance is the last step
one should take when faced with an
ethical problem
f
- Informed consent is an ethical requirement
that is an integral part of
the therapeutic process; however, it
is not a legal requirement
f
- Informed consent is a positive approach
that helps clients become
active partners and true collaborators
in their therapy.
t
- Privileged communication is a legal
concept that generally bars the disclosure
of confi dential communications
in a legal proceeding.
t
- In reasoning through any ethical
dilemma, there is usually just one
course of action to follow.
f
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.
t
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).
b
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.
a
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
c
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.
a
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
d
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.
a
- 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.
c
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.
d
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
a
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
c
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.
b
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
c
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.
a
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
b
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.
b
