Exam study

Question 1

True or False

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

Answer 1

False

Question 2

True of False

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

Answer 2

False

Question 3

True of False

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

Answer 3

True

Question 4

True of False

Practitioners anxious to avoid any litigation may gear their practices mainly toward fulfilling legal minimums

Answer 4

True

Question 5

True of False

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

Answer 5

False

Question 6

True of False

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

Answer 6

False

Question 7

True of False

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

Answer 7

True

Question 8

True or False

‘Privileged communication’ is a legal concept that protects clients from having their confidential communications revealed in court without their permission

Answer 8

True

Question 9

True of False

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

Answer 9

False

Question 10

True or False

The central aim of evidence-based practice is to require psychotherapists to base their practice on techniques that have empirical evidence to support their efficacy

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Which of the following statements about diagnosis is NOT true?

• Diagnosis may include an explanation of the causes of the client’s difficulties
• Diagnosis is always a part of the assessment process in counselling
• Diagnosis consists of identifying a specific mental disorder based on a pattern of symptoms
• The purpose of diagnosis in counselling and psychotherapy is to identify disruptions in a client’s present behaviour and lifestyle

Answer 11

Diagnosis is always a part of the assessment process in counselling

Question 12

What is the primary rationale conducting a comprehensive assessment of the client as the initial step in the therapeutic process?

• those who conduct comprehensive assessments of their clients are protected from being sued for malpractice
• specific counselling goals cannot be formulated and appropriate treatment strategies cannot be designed until a client’s past and present functioning is understood

Answer 12

Specific counselling goals cannot be formulated and appropriate treatment strategies cannot be designed until a client’s past and present functioning is understood

Question 13

What does the acronym DSM stand for?

• Diagnostic and statistical measurement reference guide
• developmental and statistical measurement of mental disorders
• deviance and sociopathy manual
• diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders

Answer 13

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders

Question 14

Kendra is a bi-racial client who presents as being reserved and passive and who makes minimal eye contact. Her therapist should:

• view Kendra’s behaviour as resistance to the therapeutic process
• consider that Kendra’s behaviour and mannerisms may reflect distinctive ethnic and cultural patterns
• diagnose Kendra as being depressed
• confront Kendra immediately to ensure that future sessions are more productive

Answer 14

consider that Kendra’s behaviour and mannerisms may reflect distinctive ethnic and cultural patterns

Question 15

Generally speaking, the concept of privileged communication applies to which the following:

• individual counselling
• couples counselling and family therapy
• child and adolescent therapy
• group counselling

Answer 15

individual counselling

Question 16

Ethics codes:

• are intended to provide ready-made answers for the ethical dilemmas that practitioners will encounter
• are best used as guidelines to formulate sound reasoning and serve practitioners in making the best judgments possible
• are so general that they are of little if any use to clinicians

Answer 16

are best used as guidelines to formulate sound reasoning and serve practitioners in making the best judgments possible

Question 17

Paula recently discovered that two of her clients that she sees individually has a stormy relationship in the past. She is wondering whether she can remain objective in working with them. Paula should do all of the following, except:

• discuss options with other professionals to get their perspective
• brainstorm various possible courses of action
• look at the relevant ethics codes for general guidance on the matter
• first inform both clients of her issue

Answer 17

first inform both clients of her issue

Question 18

When the author uses the term multiple relationships, he is referring to

• serial monogamy
• the pattern that some clients have of cheating on their significant others and juggling several relationships at once
• the large caseloads of therapies
• dual relationships and nonprofessional relationships

Answer 18

dual relationships and nonprofessional relationships

Question 19

In many mental health settings, clinicians are pressured to use interventions that

• are brief and standardised
• are research-supported even if they are length
• focus on early childhood experiences
• tap into unconscious dynamics

Answer 19

are brief and standardised

Question 20

Which of the following is not one of the three pillars of EBP?

• relying on the best available legal advice
• taking into consideration the clients characteristics, culture and preferences
• relying on clinical expertise
• looking for the best available research

Answer 20

relying on the best available legal advice

Question 21

Which of the following is not a vital contributor to the success of psychotherapy?

• environmental factors
• the therapists personality and therapeutic style
• the client
• the therapeutic method employed

Answer 21

the therapeutic method employed

Question 22

The ACA code of ethics stresses that counselling professionals must learn how to:

• eliminate multiple roles altogether in order to keep boundaries from becoming blurred
• sensitively confront colleagues who are juggling multiple roles
• manage multiple roles and responsibilities in an ethical way

Answer 22

manage multiple roles and responsibilities in an ethical way

Question 23

Except for __, which is unequivocally unethical, there is not much consensus regarding the appropriate way to deal with multiple relationships

• sexual intimacy with current clients
• bartering with clients
• socialising with clients

Answer 23

sexual intimacy with current clients

Question 24

Dr. Hernandez has been invited to the wedding of her client Cynthia. If she accepts the invitation

• Dr. Hernandez will be engaging in boundary crossing
• Dr Hernandez will be breaking the law and could spend time in jail
• Dr. Hernandez will be acting unethically

Answer 24

Dr Hernandez will be engaging in a boundary crossing