Ethics

Question 1

The two professional organizations design for counselors:

Answer 1

ACA- 18 divisions

APA- 17 divisions

Question 2

The ethical practice of counseling can occur on two levels

Answer 2

Mandatory ethics:
Focuses on compliance with minimal standards of Laws and ethical codes. Counselors who focus only on mandatory ethics may be vulnerable to denial, distortion, discounting, or dismissing of ethical questions and issues.

Aspirational ethics:
When counselors practice aspirational ethics, they practiced the highest standards of conduct and demonstrate an understanding of the spirit behind the code.

Question 3

The ethical standards of the association or present in two separate documents:

Answer 3

Standard of practice
Brief and focus on the minimal behavior required by professional counselors (mandatory ethics)

Code of ethics
More details; ideal of the profession.
(Aspirational ethics)

Question 4

Scope of practice

Answer 4

Recognized areas of proficiency or competent gain through appropriate education and experience.

Scope of practice concept suggest the counselors should only practice using techniques for which they have been trained.

Question 5

Professional ethics

Answer 5

Agreed-upon standards that define what is “good” as well as the “ideal” practice of the profession

Question 6

Laws

Answer 6

Are distinguished from ethics in that laws dictate minimum standards of behavior, rather than ideal standards

Question 7

Competence

Answer 7

Is both and ethical in a legal concept in that counselors need to meet the minimum standard of performance in order to practice in a given state (legal concept) as well as Strive for maximum levels of knowledge and skills.

Question 8

Confidentiality

Answer 8

The obligation of professionals to respect the privacy of clients and the information they provide

Question 9

Limit of confidentiality

Answer 9

Child abuse
Intent to do harm
Information related to counseling of a minor
Counselors under supervision
Court ordered
When the client consents to disclosure
Clients file a complaint against their counselor

Question 10

In regards to group counseling

Answer 10

ACA code of ethics does not guarantee confidentiality

Question 11

Family counseling

Answer 11

Counselors should not disclose information about one family member to another unless consent is given

Question 12

Duty to warn and to protect

Answer 12

Identifying those clients who are likely to do physical harm to third party.

Protecting third parties from client

Treating those clients who are dangerous

Question 13

Continuing education

Answer 13

Counselors “should recognize the need for continuing education “ to maintain a reasonable level of competence in the field

Question 14

Dual relationships

Answer 14

ACA warns counselors to avoid those dual relationships “that could impaired judgment or increase the risk of harm to the client”

Sexual intimacy with current clients are always on unethical and unethical with former clients 2 to 5 years after termination

Question 15

Informed consents

Contractual document that addresses:

Answer 15

Therapeutic process
Background of counselor
Cost of the treatment
Length of  treatment
Benefits and risk of treatment
Nature and purpose of confidentiality

Question 16

Informed consent has three levels with ethical and legal implications

Answer 16

Possess The ability to make a rational decision.
Has sufficient information and be able to understand the information.
Be acting freely in the decision-making process

Question 17

Record keeping

Answer 17

Information in the clients record belongs to the client.

Maintenance of actual records is the responsibility of the counselor

Sausages keeping records for 7 to 15 years after termination

Question 18

Family educational rights and privacy act of 1974

FERPA

Answer 18

Give parents of minors as well as students 18 years old or older the right to:
Access to educational records.
Protection of the institution for releasing information to a third-party without written consent

Question 19

Malpractice

Answer 19

Failure to render professional services

Legal concept involving negligence that results in injury or loss to the client

Question 20

Negligence

Answer 20

Occurs when the counselor departs from ordinary practice or fails to exercise due care.

Question 21

The most frequent allegations of malpractice involves:

Answer 21

Violation of confidentiality
Sexual misconduct
Failure to prevent suicide
Other allegations of incompetent treatment

Question 22

Privacy

Answer 22

Keep certain information concealed
Disposal of records
Video /audio recording
Not being identified in waiting rooms
Credit card information
Use of computer scoring services

Question 23

Privilege communication

Answer 23

Is a legal concept

Laws protects clients from having confidential information disclosed in a court of law without their permission

Question 24

Subpoenas

Answer 24

Produce copies of records

Appear for a disposition, court hearing, or trial.

Appears and bring their records with them.

Don’t ignore subpoena

All legal attempt should be made to protect clients info

Question 25

Tort

Answer 25

Pay damages

Intentionally torts includes battery, defamation, invasion of privacy, and infliction of mental distress

Question 26

Six moral principles upon which ethical codes are established and involved in ethical decision-making:

Answer 26

Autonomy: clients right to make their own choices.

Beneficence: pursues what is good and helpful for their client.

Nonmaleficence: do no harm

Justice: equal treatment

Fidelity: counseling relationships is based on trust.

Veracity: obligated to deal truthfully and honesty with cLients

Question 27

Counseling became popular after the 1931 publication of

Answer 27

Workbook in vocations by Proctor, Benefield, and Wrenn.

Question 28

Group movement

Answer 28

Began in the late 1960s

Question 29

Forms of managed care

Answer 29

Health maintenance organization (HMOs) which use a restricted group of providers to provide specific services at a fixed cost.

Preferred provider organization (PPO). Which purchase services from specific providers at a reduced rate.

Independent practice association (IPAs) which allows consumers to choose independent practitioners and see them in their office rather than in an HMO facility.

Question 30

Advantages and disadvantage of managed care

Answer 30

Advantages:
Limited cost of services compared to traditional health insurance.
Increase access to mental health services
No exclusion due to pre- existing condition
Increased referral rate

Disadvantages:
Limited choice in providers
Inability to consult a specialist directly
Reduction in the variety of services available
Potential overuse of medication
Limited treatment duration

Question 31

Various ethical issues

Answer 31

A temptation exists in a managed care environment to “upcode” a client diagnosed, or assign a more serious diagnosis in order to obtain more counseling sessions.

The counselor must resist the temptation to “downcode” a client diagnosis to one for which the managed care company will reimburse.

Question 32

Direct liability and vicarious liability

Answer 32

Direct liability: refers to an action or inaction by the supervisor that causes harm to a client, such as failing to address the suicidal ideation of supervisee’ client.

Vicarious liability: occurs when the supervisor is held liable for the behavior of the supervise even though the supervisor may be unaware of the behavior.

Question 33

The type of mental health services provided to the client is coded via

Answer 33

The AMAs Current Procedural terminology (e.g. CPT 90844)