L&E Quiz Flashcards
Ignorance of the law is an acceptable legal defense for injuring clients.
False
Clients have the right to sue their clinician for abandonment.
True
A client is legally entitled to adequate information from the therapist before the client provides consent to treat.
True
Clinicians should take additional steps, if necessary, to ensure a client’s comprehension of the informed consent contract.
True
Couples should be informed that both reconciliation and separation are possible outcomes of therapy.
True
Terminating services in order to pursue a social, financial, or sexual relationship with a client is acceptable.
False
If a 13 year old seeks and consents for his own treatment, his parents still have a legal right to access his records.
False
A therapist must obtain a signed informed consent prior to treatment.
False
When treating a couple, the clinician only needs informed consent from one of the individuals.
False
Termination rights for both the clinician and the client should be included in the informed consent.
True
Legally, fees must be disclosed before the onset of therapy.
True
A therapist should document that they obtained informed consent for treatment from a client.
True
The therapist has an ethical and legal duty to inform clients of possible outcomes of treatment in order to remain within the standard of care.
True
A therapist should obtain a distinct and separate informed consent for the use of any challenging or novel modalities, including any involving touch.
True
The clinician is responsible for providing appropriate referrals for continuity of care when the client initiates termination.
False
Managing confidentiality is a legal and ethical issue.
True
The only exception to confidentiality are by a client’s written consent to release information or a legal mandate or legal permission to release information.
True
If a husband calls for information about his wife who is in treatment, the therapist should assert privilege.
False
The term privilege relates to the release of information in a legal setting.
True
A therapist is obligated to break confidentiality if there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse.
True
A therapist is obligated to break confidentiality if the client is suicidal.
False
A therapist is mandated to break confidentiality if there is reasonable suspicion of elder abuse.
True
If a client has a plan to vandalize someone’s car, the therapist should warn the victim and warn the police.
False
If a new client indicated signs of hopelessness and depression, a prudent therapist would assess for suicide.
True
If a client makes a serious threat to harm an identifiable other, the therapist must warn the victim.
False
Someone over the age of 60 is considered an elder.
False
Therapists are mandated to report domestic violence.
False
If a 65 yr old woman shared that her husband hit her, the therapist should report domestic violence to the police.
False
When a clinician faces a legal action against them initiated by the client, the BBS, or a district attorney, the therapist is permitted to break confidentiality.
True
If another clinician contacts you stating that they have a release, you may provide the information requested.
False
A group confidentiality contract is a good way to clarify clients’ responsibility and protect the clinician.
True
When treating minors, it is the parent who holds privilege.
False
If an adult client shares they were a victim of child abuse as a minor and the perpetrator still has access to children, the therapist must file a child abuse report.
False
Therapists are always required to obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before releasing any confidential information about a minor client.
False
The parent or guardian must provide legal consent for a minor’s treatment if the minor is under 12.
True
It is a therapist’s legal responsibility to make an effort to learn and understand cultural assumptions of their client.
False
Providing false information to an insurance company for the purpose of obtaining treatment is ethically acceptable.
False
Therapists have an ethical responsibility to take reasonable care in maintaining client confidentiality while using electronic devices.
True
If an HIV+ client discloses intent to have unprotected sex with someone, the therapist has a legal duty to warn that individual.
False
When informed of child abuse, a therapist must make an immediate report and follow up with a written report within 24 hours.
False
When informed of elder or dependent adult abuse, a therapist must make the report immediately and follow up with a written report within 3 working days.
False
When filing a report, the therapist is allowed to share any information about the case that they think is relevant to report.
True
Therapists should document their reasons for filing an abuse report.
True
Privilege is the right of the client to maintain confidentiality regarding the legal system.
True
If a client initiates a lawsuit claiming emotional injury, attorneys for the opposing side are entitled to said client’s records.
True
Privilege is suspended if either client or therapist sues the other.
True
If a lawyer subpoenas a client’s records without a release, and the therapist is unable to contact the client, the therapist should turn over the records.
False
Professional duty begins as soon as the client enters into an implicit or explicit therapeutic contract.
True
A therapist may provide services without consent for treatment if the client is in a crisis.
True
Therapists have a professional duty to know when a specialist should be utilized.
True
Therapists have a professional duty to know when hospitalization is required.
True
Authorizations to release information must include an end date.
True
Therapists have an ethical professional duty to collaborate or refer to improve and protect the health and wellbeing of their client.
True
A Tarasoff condition only exists if a client expresses a serious threat to harm an identifiable victim.
False
A therapist is not mandated to report consensual sex between minors when they are between the ages of 14 and 18.
True
If a 16 year old is having consensual sex with her 21-year-old boyfriend, the therapist must file a child abuse report.
False
If a 15 year old is having consensual sex with her 21-year-old boyfriend, the therapist must file a child abuse report.
True
If a 13 year old is having consensual sex with her 15-year-old boyfriend, the therapist must file a child abuse report.
True
If a client makes a threat to an unidentifiable victim, the therapist must warn the police.
True
Therapists must maintain mental health records.
True
If a therapist receives a court order for client records, the therapist should assert privilege.
False
Therapists should investigate child abuse if they have reasonable suspicion.
False
If child abuse occurs in another state, the therapist is mandated to report the child abuse in the state in which it occurred.
False
A therapist should inform couples of their “secret” policy before the onset of treatment.
True
Statements made by a client’s immediate family members regarding the client’s serious danger to harm someone must be considered in Tarasoff situations.
True
Performing any professional services outside the scope of the license is acceptable if explained to the client.
False
Clinicians should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with clients or former clients when there is a risk of potential harm to the client.
True
When dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable, clients are responsible for setting clear, appropriate boundaries.
False
Therapists should avoid initiating treatment when there is a known dual relationship.
True
When a clinician provides services to two or more people who have a relationship to each other (e.g., couples, family members), the clinician should clarify the nature of their professional responsibilities to each individual.
True
Clinicians should under no circumstances engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with current clients, whether such contact is consensual or forced.
True
Clinicians should not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with clients’ relatives or others with whom clients maintain a close personal relationship.
True
Clinicians should not provide clinical services to individuals with whom they have had a prior sexual relationship.
True
It is considered unprofessional conduct to engage in sexual relations with a client within two years following termination of therapy.
True
When obtaining a release of information, all members of the treatment unit who are old enough to consent should sign the release.
True
A therapist should report to CPS if they find out one of their clients is dealing drugs to junior high students in the area.
False
If a client has not had a complete medical evaluation in the last two years, a reasonable and prudent clinician should refer the client for a complete medical check-up.
True
Clinicians providing any treatment without a psychiatric consultation, when warranted, are considered to be practicing below the standard of care.
True
If the client has a legally designated conservator or guardian ad litem, then that person may exercise privilege on their behalf.
True
Parents may exercise the privilege on behalf of their child simply because they are that child’s parents.
False
A clinician who receives a subpoena for the records of a minor client would not look to the parents or guardians for instructions on whether to release the records but would instruct the parents or guardians to petition the court for guardian ad litem status.
True
Clients have the right to revoke or modify release authorizations at will.
True
A therapist has a legal duty to prevent suicide.
False
Clinicians must take “appropriate preventive measures” to avert harm to suicidal clients
True
Ethically, it is acceptable to wait until the middle phase of treatment to determine who the unit of treatment is going to be.
False
Minors may only consent to their own treatment if they are over the age of 12 and are victims of abuse.
False
Clinicians are expected to recognize risk factors that can lead to actions resulting in harm to self or others.
True