Ethical, Legal, & Professional Issues

Question 1

ethics

Answer 1

discipline w/in philosophy concerned w/ human conduct

Question 2

relationship ethics

Answer 2

based on equitability and caring

Question 3

equitability

Answer 3

proposition that everyone is entitled to have his/her welfare interests considered in a way that is fair from a multilateral perspective

Question 4

caring

Answer 4

idea that moral development and principles are centered on the social context of relationships and interdependency

Question 5

neutrality

Answer 5

early belief in family therapy that the theories and practices involved in working w/families were value-free

Question 6

values

Answer 6

beliefs and preferences, the ranking of an ordered set of choices from most to least preferable
4 domains:
1-personal
2-family
3-political/social
4-ultimate

Question 7

action-oriented research

Answer 7

focuses on finding solutions to the problem of family violence

Question 8

dual (multiple) relationship

Answer 8

therapist assumes a second role as friend, business associate, etc.

Question 9

consultation

Answer 9

use of experts in an area to enhance one’s knowledge and abilities

Question 10

internal consultation

Answer 10

talking with an expert where one works

Question 11

outside consultation

Answer 11

conversation with a professional outside one’s own setting

Question 12

process consultation

Answer 12

conferring with an expert about the ethics of the methods one is using

Question 13

outcome-focused consultation

Answer 13

centered on the ethics of what the therapist and/or family hopes to accomplish

Question 14

formal consultation

Answer 14

input gained from an expert through an appointment or structured meeting

Question 15

informal consultation

Answer 15

talking with an expert informally at a professional therapy conference or engaging in some less structured way of interaction

Question 16

family therapy supervision

Answer 16

systemic, includes a focus on interpersonal, as well as on intrapersonal, issues, videotapes and one-way mirrors

Question 17

bug-in-the-ear supervision

Answer 17

therapist receives messages from a supervisor through a telephone hookup device

Question 18

metaethical principles

Answer 18

high-level standards that guide clinicians as they make decisions
autonomy-right of individuals to make decisions
nonmaleficence-avoidance of doing harm
beneficence-doing good, promoting client’s welfare
fidelity-trusworthy/loyal, keeping promises
justice-treating people equally

Question 19

confidentiality

Answer 19

the ethical duty to fulfill a contract or promise to clients that the information revealed during therapy will be protected from unauthorized disclosure

Question 20

self-disclosure statement

Answer 20

signed agreement that all family members understand that revealed info is confidential and that no one will be treated as “the problem”

Question 21

privileged communication

Answer 21

client’s legal right, guaranteed by statute, that confidences originating in a therapeutic relationship will be safeguarded, can be waived in cases of abuse

Question 22

legal

Answer 22

law or state of being lawful, a body of rules recognized by a state or community as binding on its members

Question 23

liability

Answer 23

legal term dealing with obligation and responsibility one person has to another:
civil-lawsuit by a client against the therapist for professional malpractice (negligence) or gross negligence
criminal-commission of a crime by the therapist, such as failing to report child abuse, engaging in sexual relations w/a patient, committing insurance fraud
administrative-license to practice is threatened by an investigation from the licensing board that has the power to suspend a license

Question 24

common law

Answer 24

derived from tradition and usage, not written sources

Question 25

statutory law

Answer 25

laws passed by legislative bodies (state, national legislatures), valid in the jurisdiction in which they are passed

Question 26

administrative (regulatory) law

Answer 26

specialized regulations passed by authorized government agencies pertaining to certain specialty areas

Question 27

case law (court decisions)

Answer 27

laws decided by decisions in court

Question 28

civil law

Answer 28

acts offensive to individuals, like divorce

Question 29

criminal law

Answer 29

acts offensive to society in general, like abuse

Question 30

malpractice

Answer 30

failure to fulfill the requisite standard of care, either because of omission (what should have been done but was not done) or commission (doing something that should not have been done)

Question 31

records

Answer 31

written notes from sessions, should be clinically worded and accurate, be housed separately from any business transactions

Question 32

in camera review

Answer 32

an impartial party like a judge reviews records and releases only those portions that are relevant to the situation at hand

Question 33

liability insurance

Answer 33

protects therapists financially from legal claims that they have mishandled clients’ needs

Question 34

managed health care

Answer 34

businesses contract with large organizations to reduce costs of employees’ heath insurance

Question 35

MMHC

Answer 35

managed mental health care, focuses on mental health services

Question 36

utilization review

Answer 36

practitioner submits written justification for treatment along with comprehensive treatment plan

Question 37

capitated contract

Answer 37

providers agree to provide treatment for a population for a per person per year fee

Question 38

care pathway guidelines

Answer 38

delineate specific timelines in which diagnosis and interventions should occur