Professional Orientation & Ethical Practice

Question 1

Which group was most instrumental in opposing counselor licensure?

a. Social workers.
b. Psychiatrists.
c. Psychologists.
d. AAMFT members.

Answer 1

c. Psychologists.

Question 2

In the late 1970s, AACD (known as ACA since 1992) began to focus very heavily on professional credentialing. This led to the formation of the

a. CCMHC.
b. NBCC.
c. CACREP, formed in 1981.
d. APGA, formed in 1952.

Answer 2

b. NBCC.

In 1982, the American Association for Counseling and Development (AACD), now the American Counseling Association (ACA), formed the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Question 3

By passing the NCE, a counselor can attain the ________, given via NBCC.

a. NCC, a generic certification for counselors
b. NCC, a specialty mental health certification for counselors
c. NCC, national certification for school counselors
d. MAC, master addictions counselor

Answer 3

a. NCC, a generic certification for counselors

Question 4

Which choice would most likely violate the counseling ethic or law termed “scope of practice”?

a. A counselor who is using good, accurate empathy with a client, but fails to confront her about her excessive drinking.
b. A licensed counselor who gives the client a DSM diagnostic code for insurance.
c. A counselor who is too active-directive with a client.
d. A counselor who is conducting a strict Freudian psychoanalysis with the client.

Answer 4

d. A counselor who is conducting a strict Freudian psychoanalysis with the client.

Question 5

Ethical guidelines were first created for the helping professions in 1953 when the American Psychological Association (APA) published their first code of ethics. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) created their code in 1960, and in 1961, the organization that is now ACA adopted ethics for counselors. Ethics always describe

a. laws.
b. universal principles which apply to all helpers.
c. standards of conduct imposed by the ACA and NBCC.
d. all of the above.

Answer 5

c. standards of conduct imposed by the ACA and NBCC.

Question 6

Most ethical dilemmas are related to

a. confidentiality.
b. testing.
c. diagnosis.
d. research.

Answer 6

a. confidentiality.

Question 7

The landmark 1969 case, Tarasoff v. the Board of Regents of the University of California illuminated

a. difficulties caused when a counselor has sex with a client.
b. ethical issues in relation to research.
c. the duty to warn a client in imminent danger.
d. the impact of an impaired professional.

Answer 7

c. the duty to warn a client in imminent danger.

In 1969 a student named Prosenjit Poddar at Berkeley was receiving counseling on an outpatient basis. During the course of the treatment he revealed that he was going to kill a woman (Tatiana Tarasoff) when she returned from Brazil. The therapist consulted with other professionals and called the campus police. The therapist wanted Poddar hospitalized. Campus police spoke with Poddar but did not hospitalize him. A letter also was sent to the chief of campus police regarding this dangerous situation. Despite all the actions taken, Poddar did indeed kill Tarasoff, and Ms. Tarasoff’s parents filed suit against the Board of Regents as well as the University employees. The charge was failure to warn an intended victim.

Question 8

A counselor reveals information that is extremely damaging to a client’s reputation. This counselor could be accused of

a. beneficence.
b. justice.
c. nonmaleficence
d. defamation

Answer 8

d. defamation

Question 9

State laws can govern title usage and practice, however, they do not govern

a. accreditation.
b. counselor licensure.
c. psychologist licensure.
d. involuntary commitment to state psychiatric facilities.

Answer 9

a. accreditation.

Question 10

An exception to confidentiality, or what is termed as relative confidentiality, could occur when a client is suicidal. Suicidal warning signs include

a. repeatedly joking about killing one’s self.
b. giving away prized possessions after one has been depressed for an extended period of time.
c. a previous suicide attempt and a very detailed suicide plan for the future.
d. all of the above.

Answer 10

d. all of the above.

Question 11

A statement of disclosure could include all except:

a. A list of the courses the counselor took in graduate school.
b. The counselor’s qualifications, office hours, and billing policies.
c. Emergency procedures and therapy techniques utilized.
d. A statement that confidentiality is desirable, but cannot be guaranteed in a group setting.

Answer 11

a. A list of the courses the counselor took in graduate school.

Question 12

Privileged communication refers to the fact that anything said to a counselor by a client

a. can be revealed in a court of law if the counselor decides it is beneficial.
b. can be revealed only if a counselor testifies in court.
c. is protected by laws in every state.
d. will not be divulged outside the counseling setting without the client’s permission.

Answer 12

d. will not be divulged outside the counseling setting without the client’s permission.

Question 13

In regard to state law and privileged communication, counselors must be aware that

a. privileged communication exists in every state in the union for LPCs.
b. laws are unclear and may vary from state to state.
c. there are no laws which govern this issue.
d. state psychology laws are applicable in this respect.

Answer 13

b. laws are unclear and may vary from state to state.

Question 14

When counselors state that privileged communication is “qualified,” they actually mean that

a. the counselor must have certification before privileged communication applies.
b. privileged communication applies only to doctoral-level counselors.
c. exceptions may exist.
d. all of the above.

Answer 14

c. exceptions may exist.

Question 15

You are a counselor in a state that does not legally support privileged communication. You refuse to testify in court. In this situation

a. ACA will back you for doing the ethical thing.
b. NBCC will back you if, and only if, you have attained NCC status.
c. you need not testify if your case was supervised by a licensed psychologist and/or psychiatrist.
d. you could be held in contempt of court.

Answer 15

d. you could be held in contempt of court.

Question 16

An 11-year-old child comes to your office with a black eye and tells you she can’t remember how she
received it. You have reason to suspect abuse. You should

a. be empathic and discuss her feelings regarding the matter.
b. drop the matter as it could embarrass her.
c. refer her to a medical doctor of your choice.
d. call the child abuse/neglect hotline.

Answer 16

d. call the child abuse/neglect hotline.

Question 17

During a counseling session a 42-year-old male client threatens suicide. You should

a. keep it a secret as the client is not a minor.
b. call the state child abuse/neglect hotline even though he is an adult.
c. call his wife and mention that a serious problem exists but be very careful not to discuss the issue of
suicide since to do so would violate the client’s confidentiality.
d. contact his wife and advise her of possible suicide precautions.

Answer 17

d. contact his wife and advise her of possible suicide precautions.

Question 18

A 39-year-old female secretary you are seeing in your assertiveness training group reveals that she is plotting to shoot her husband. Based on the Tarasoff case you should

a. warn the husband.
b. keep it confidential because an assertiveness training group is decidedly not the same as one-to-one
counseling.
c. make a police report in the city in which the husband resides.
d. tell a supervisor, administrator, or board member if one exists, but do not contact her husband.

Answer 18

a. warn the husband.

Question 19

You pass your exam and now have NCC status. You perform a battery of tests on your client. After you complete the testing you discover your client is in imminent danger. You receive a legal court order to turn over the test scores. You

a. must get a signed release from the client.
b. you must turn over the test records complete with the test scores.
c. turn over the test records without the scores.
d. should recall that according to “aspirational ethics,” your client comes first and so you will do
nothing.

Answer 19

b. you must turn over the test records complete with the test scores.

Question 20

One impetus for counselor licensing was that

a. Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) wanted to restrict counselors.
b. politicians demanded that counselors be licensed.
c. psychology licensure bodies sought to restrict the practice of counselors so counselors could not
receive third-party payments from insurance and managed care companies.
d. insurance companies pushed strongly for it.

Answer 20

c. psychology licensure bodies sought to restrict the practice of counselors so counselors could not
receive third-party payments from insurance and managed care companies.

Question 21

A counselor who possesses a graduate degree wishes to become a licensed psychologist. Which statement most accurately depicts the current situation?

a. Any counselor can easily become a psychologist if he or she can pass the EPPP.
b. A counselor can become a licensed psychologist by taking three graduate credit hours in
physiological psychology and then passing the EPPP.
c. In nearly every case, individuals trained in counseling departments would not be allowed to sit for
the EPPP and thus could not become licensed psychologists.
d. A counselor with a doctorate in counseling could be licensed as a counseling psychologist if he or
she has a degree from a recognized department of counseling.

Answer 21

c. In nearly every case, individuals trained in counseling departments would not be allowed to sit for
the EPPP and thus could not become licensed psychologists.

Question 22

A woman who is in private practice mentions in her phone book advertisement that she is a licensed counseling psychologist. This generally means that

a. she has a doctorate from a counselor education program.
b. she has a graduate degree from a psychology department.
c. she has a degree from a CACREP program.
d. she has a degree in counseling but is trained in projective testing.

Answer 22

b. she has a graduate degree from a psychology department.

Question 23

One major difference between the psychology versus the counseling movement seems to be that

a. the psychologists are working to eliminate practitioners with less than a doctorate, while the counselors are not.
b. counselors are working to give up tests for licensure.
c. psychology boards are made up primarily of psychiatrists.
d. in most states psychologists do not need to take an exam.

Answer 23

a. the psychologists are working to eliminate practitioners with less than a doctorate, while the counselors are not.

Question 24

APA is to psychologist as ACA is to

a. APGA.
b. certified clinical mental health counselor.
c. counselor.
d. NCC.

Answer 24

c. counselor.

Question 25

You have achieved the status of NCC. NBCC, nevertheless, feels you have violated professional ethics. NBCC can do any of the following except:

a. Revoke your state counseling license.
b. Remove your name from the list of NCCs in the U.S.
c. Revoke your NCC status.
d. Note in their newsletter that your NCC status has been revoked.

Answer 25

a. Revoke your state counseling license.

Question 26

A counselor who is alcoholic and suffering from burnout could best be described as

a. a mesomorph.
b. an impaired professional.
c. a paraprofessional.
d. a counselor who is wise enough to use his own experiences to help others.

Answer 26

b. an impaired professional.

Question 27

Counselor certification

a. is synonymous with licensure.
b. is synonymous with program certification.
c. recognizes that you have reached a given level of competence and thus are authorized to use a title.
d. is primarily a legal process.

Answer 27

c. recognizes that you have reached a given level of competence and thus are authorized to use a title.

Question 28

A woman comes to you for help with an eating disorder.
You have no experience or training in this area. Ethically you should

a. refer this client to a colleague who is indeed trained and experienced with this type of client.
b. keep the client and work on her general lack of self-esteem.
c. tell the client you will do a comprehensive Internet search on the topic and then begin seeing her.
d. explain to the client that a symptom such as eating or not eating is not the real problem and that
counseling focuses on real underlying issues.

Answer 28

a. refer this client to a colleague who is indeed trained and experienced with this type of client.

Question 29

Virginia was the first state to license counselors in 1976. The APGA (later AACD and now ACA) division that was initially the most instrumental in pushing for licensing was the

a. American College Personnel Association.
b. American School Counselor Association.
c. Association for Specialists in Group Work.
d. American Counselor Education and Supervision.

Answer 29

d. American Counselor Education and Supervision.

Question 30

The problem with income-sensitive or sliding fee scales (based on the client’s ability to pay) is that

a. scales of this kind are unethical.
b. scales of this nature are illegal.
c. it is difficult to administer them in a fair manner.
d. scales like this are used frequently; however, they are unethical and illegal.

Answer 30

c. it is difficult to administer them in a fair manner.

Question 31

One possible negative aspect of counselor licensure is that

a. counselors would receive more third-party payments.
b. counselors might be accepted as providers by insurance companies.
c. counselors may not be as creative during their graduate work and simply take courses aimed at
fulfilling the requirements to take the licensure exam.
d. it will take business away from psychologists.

Answer 31

c. counselors may not be as creative during their graduate work and simply take courses aimed at
fulfilling the requirements to take the licensure exam.

Question 32

A client wants his records sent to a psychiatrist he is seeing. You should
a. advise against it based on current research.
b. refuse to do so based on ethical guidelines.
c. first have the client sign a dated release of information form that stipulates whether the
information can be released once (or for what period of time it can be released) and then you can
send the information.
d. call the psychiatrist to discuss the case but explain that state law prohibits a counselor from sending
anything in writing about the client.

Answer 32

c. first have the client sign a dated release of information form that stipulates whether the
information can be released once (or for what period of time it can be released) and then you can
send the information.

Question 33

You are a licensed professional counselor in one state but will soon relocate to another state. The new state informs you that they will grant you reciprocity or so-called endorsement. You will thus

a. simply need to take the licensing test in the new state.
b. be permitted to practice in the new state based on your current credentials without taking another
exam.
c. need to take numerous graduate courses.
d. not be allowed to practice until you serve an internship.

Answer 33

b. be permitted to practice in the new state based on your current credentials without taking another
exam.

Question 34

According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (also known as the Buckley Amendment)

a. a parent can see his or her daughter’s middle school record.
b. an 18-year-old college student can view his or her own educational record.
c. a and b.
d. a and b are both illegal.

Answer 34

c. a and b.

Question 35

You are a school counselor who wishes to refer a student with an orthopedic disability to a private therapist. In general, the best referral would be to

a. a CRC.
b. a MAC.
c. a licensed clinical psychologist.
d. a licensed social worker.

Answer 35

a. a CRC.

Question 36

A registry would be

a. a list of licensed psychologists in the state of Illinois.
b. a list of CRCs in the United States.
c. a and b.
d. the registration process for counselor licensure in the state of Missouri.

Answer 36

c. a and b.

Question 37

Acounselor wins the lottery and closes her practice without telling her clients. This counselor’s course
of action is best described as

a. a multiple relationship.
b. defamation.
c. abandonment.
d. nonmaleficence.

Answer 37

c. abandonment.

Question 38

You are counseling your first cousin for depression. This is

a. ethical.
b. not actually an ethical issue.
c. ethical if you continue to counsel her and refer her to a psychiatrist for an antidepressant.
d. generally unethical as it would constitute a dual or so-called multiple relationship.

Answer 38

d. generally unethical as it would constitute a dual or so-called multiple relationship.

Question 39

A counselor who sports NCC after her name

a. will need not concern herself with continuing education.
b. will need to complete three graduate courses every 10 years.
c. will never receive credit for workshops but should attend for her own personal growth nevertheless.
d. will need a specified amount of continuing education contact hours before she can be recertified, or
she will need to take the NCE again.

Answer 39

d. will need a specified amount of continuing education contact hours before she can be recertified, or
she will need to take the NCE again.

Question 40

You find yourself sexually attracted to a client. This is known as

a. countertransference.
b. ambivalent transference.
c. negative transference.
d. positive transference.

Answer 40

a. countertransference.

Question 41

Your sexual attraction toward your client is hindering the counseling process. You should

a. continue treatment but be honest and empathic with the client.
b. ignore your feelings; after all you are a professional.
c. explain this to the client and then refer the client to another provider.
d. continue to see the client but ignore psychosexual topics.

Answer 41

c. explain this to the client and then refer the client to another provider.

Question 42

A malpractice or liability insurance company is least likely to defend you if

a. you are sexually involved with a client.
b. you violate confidentiality.
c. you do not have a client sign a release of information and send a record to another agency or
provider.
d. you call a state child abuse hotline and a client takes legal action since the child was actually the
victim of an accident.

Answer 42

a. you are sexually involved with a client.

Question 43

Computers are now being used in various counseling settings. Counselors speak of computer-assisted counseling (CAC) and computer-managed counseling (CMC). An office that employs a computer to schedule clients would be an example of

a. CMC.
b. CAC.
c. an ethical violation.
d. the misuse of computers, though the practice is ethical.

Answer 43

a. CMC.

Question 44

A college student who suffers from panic disorder types his symptoms and concerns onto a PC screen and then waits for the computer program to respond or question him further. The student engages in this practice for a 40-minute session per week. This is an example of

a. CAC.
b. CMC.
c. computer-managed counseling.
d. b and c.

Answer 44

a. CAC.

Question 45

A counselor educator has created a research study. He is using students as research subjects. This is commonplace.

a. Student participation can be mandatory as part of a counseling course.
b. Student participation can be mandatory for students who have finished their coursework and are
completing a dissertation, thesis, or required scholarly paper.
c. Participation or lack of it cannot impact the student’s academic standing.
d. According to ethics the student cannot participate in the research if he or she is not currently
enrolled in the counselor educator’s class.

Answer 45

c. Participation or lack of it cannot impact the student’s academic standing.

Question 46

Which statement best describes the counseling profession’s reaction to computer-assisted counseling and computer-managed counseling?

a. Counselors are very humanistic and seem to dislike CMC and CAC technology.
b. Counselors have welcomed both forms of computer technology with open arms.
c. CMC has been well received since it cuts down time on paperwork, scheduling, and record
keeping, but there is a mixed reaction to CAC as some feel it depersonalizes counseling.
d. Counselors dislike CMC but praise CAC highly.

Answer 46

c. CMC has been well received since it cuts down time on paperwork, scheduling, and record
keeping, but there is a mixed reaction to CAC as some feel it depersonalizes counseling.

Question 47

You secure a state license and NCC status and open a private practice. Your cousin comes to the agency for supervision to get his state license.

a. You would supervise him just like anybody else.
b. You could supervise him if he is your second cousin, but not your first cousin.
c. Consultation is very important in today’s world. You could supervise him if you receive a
consultation and the consultant approves of it.
d. It would be unethical to supervise him.

Answer 47

d. It would be unethical to supervise him.

Question 48

A counseling journal article should use documentation (i.e., references) that is based on

a. APA style.
b. MLA style taught in most English composition classes. c. a or b.
d. none of the above

Answer 48

a. APA style.

Question 49

A 14-year-old male threatens to blow up his parents’ garage because he has been grounded. You believe his threat is genuine. You should

a. ask the child if he will sign a release of information so you can talk to his parents.
b. not talk to the parents since this would weaken the bond of trust you have with the client.
c. have the child sign a contract stating he will not blow up the garage but mention nothing to the
parents.
d. warn the parents that their property is in danger.

Answer 49

d. warn the parents that their property is in danger.

Question 50

A 16-year-old girl threatens to kill herself and you fail to inform her parents. Your behavior as a counselor is best described as

a. an example of a multiple relationship.
b. an example of informed consent.
c. an example of negligence, which is a failure to perform a duty, and in this instance is an obligation
to protect the client.
d. multiple submission.

Answer 50

c. an example of negligence, which is a failure to perform a duty, and in this instance is an obligation
to protect the client.

Question 51

NBCC has developed a code of ethics to help counselors behave in a professional manner. The Code warns against stereotyping and discrimination. All of the following would be examples of stereotyping and discrimination except:

a. Advising an African American client to avoid graduate school because you believe the Jensen research regarding African Americans and IQ scores.
b. Advising a client to consider switching his college major based on your clinical judgment as well as the results from an extensive test battery.
c. Advising a female client to avoid taking a management position because you feel women are generally nonassertive.
d. Advising a female client to avoid taking a management position because you feel women managers are generally too aggressive.

Answer 51

b. Advising a client to consider switching his college major based on your clinical judgment as well as the results from an extensive test battery.

Question 52

NBCC ethics caution counselors against sexual harassment. An example of an ethics violation in this respect would be

a. a female counselor who tells a male client how sexy his hairy chest looks when he leaves his shirt unbuttoned. The male client blushes and appears uncomfortable.
b. a male counselor who smiles to reinforce a female client (who is overly critical of her looks) who has just said that she is beginning to accept her feminine qualities.
c. a female career counselor who tells a male client that she feels his gray flannel suit would be the most appropriate for a given job interview.
d. when a client who has been very depressed and neglecting her looks comes into the therapy session looking much better and the counselor comments, “You certainly look nice today.”

Answer 52

a. a female counselor who tells a male client how sexy his hairy chest looks when he leaves his shirt unbuttoned. The male client blushes and appears uncomfortable.

Question 53

You are a well-known cognitive behavior therapist who heads up a private practice in New Jersey. For the next two years you will be in Canada conducting a research project. Your practice has six other counselors. The practice is sending brochures to schools, agencies, and hospitals in an attempt to boost referrals. Your name appears on the front of the brochure as if you are available for referrals. This is

a. totally ethical.
b. unethical.
c. possibly ethical and possibly unethical. Not enough information is given to answer this question.
d. irrelevant since ACA and NBCC ethics do not address private practice.

Answer 53

b. unethical.

Question 54

A colleague of yours who is not a certified counselor behaves in an unethical manner. The ethical thing for you to do is

a. ignore it; unfortunately you have no rights in this situation.
b. consult the school the person graduated from.
c. attempt to rectify the condition via institutional channels, and if this fails report it to regulatory
organizations.
d. all of the above are considered ethical.

Answer 54

c. attempt to rectify the condition via institutional channels, and if this fails report it to regulatory
organizations.

Question 55

A client asks you (and you have NCC status) for classical psychoanalysis yet you have no training
whatsoever in this area. If you agree to analyze the client, you are

a. violating the duty to warn.
b. still ethical if you possess LPC or NCC.
c. unethical as this is misrepresentation.
d. still ethical if, and only if, you have a doctorate.

Answer 55

c. unethical as this is misrepresentation.

Question 56

In your initial disclosure statement it was clearly explained to the client that she must pay her bill in a timely manner. She did not. According to ACA ethical guidelines you can terminate her.

a. This practice was ethical at one time, but now it is not ethical under any circumstances.
b. This practice was not mentioned, but experts have been very critical of this omission.
c. This practice is ethical whether you revealed this to the client in the initial disclosure statement or
not.
d. This practice is ethical if you revealed this to the client in the initial disclosure statement.

Answer 56

d. This practice is ethical if you revealed this to the client in the initial disclosure statement.

Question 57

Dr. X recommends to his clients at the agency where he practices that he would rather counsel them in
his private practice. Ethically speaking

a. Dr. X has every right to do this.
b. Dr. X is diverting agency clients to his practice and this is unethical.
c. guidelines do not address this practice.
d. NBCC and ACA actually encourage this method for private practitioners who wish to increase the
number of clients they can assist.

Answer 57

b. Dr. X is diverting agency clients to his practice and this is unethical.

Question 58

You wish to use an experimental treatment strategy. According to NBCC

a. this is a blatant ethics violation.
b. you can do it since you are advancing the profession in a scientific manner.
c. this could be ethical if you explain this to the client and the client agrees.
d. it could be ethical, but since it is experimental you must make an audio or video recording of the
interview.

Answer 58

c. this could be ethical if you explain this to the client and the client agrees.

Question 59

A counselor is counseling an executive secretary. The counselor is writing a book and mentions this to the client. The counselor suggests that as paying for the counseling might be a hardship for the client so the client could type the counselor’s manuscript. This is

a. known as bartering and unethical as described here.
b. known as bartering and ethical.
c. known as bartering and is highly recommended for clients with limited income.
d. is known as bartering and ethics encourage this practice whenever possible.

Answer 59

a. known as bartering and unethical as described here.

Question 60

Ethics state that a counselor should ________ all clients for group counseling.

a. diagnose
b. test
c. screen
d. aandb

Answer 60

c. screen

Question 61

You are a middle school counselor at a public school. A child is threatening to kill another student and admonishes you to keep it a secret. According to the ethical principle of minimal disclosure the best course of action would be to

a. try to talk the client out of his plan of action but do not violate his confidentiality by telling anyone else.
b. call the major radio and television stations as research clearly indicates that publicity can stop
school tragedies.
c. call the police and give them a complete blow-by-blow description of the counseling session.
d. inform the parents of the student in danger, inform the principal, and call the police immediately,
discussing only material related to the threat.

Answer 61

d. inform the parents of the student in danger, inform the principal, and call the police immediately,
discussing only material related to the threat.

Question 62

Your agency uses a collection agency when clients don’t pay their bills. You should

a. not take a chance on degrading the therapeutic relationship by mentioning it.
b. explain to the client that ethically the agency can do this; however, a private practitioner is not
allowed to use a collection agency and thus a private counselor might be a wiser choice.
c. inform the client of this before the counseling begins.
d. never do this as it is unethical in our field.

Answer 62

c. inform the client of this before the counseling begins.

Question 63

You have just made a landmark discovery which you feel could literally change the entire field of counseling and thus you write an article which depicts your findings. The next step would be to

a. submit the article to no more than two journals simultaneously.
b. submit the article to every major APA and ACA journal published.
c. submit the article to one publication at a time despite your conviction that the article must get
published.
d. write your state licensing board and request permission for multiple submission privileges.

Answer 63

c. submit the article to one publication at a time despite your conviction that the article must get
published.

Question 64

Consulting is included in ethical guidelines. Consultation can best be defined as

a. a voluntary relationship between a professional helper and a help-needing individual that is generally longer than supervision.
b. a brand or paradigm of long-term psychotherapy.
c. a systematic process based on classical conditioning.
d. a voluntary relationship between a professional helper and a help-needing individual, group, or
social unit in which the consultant helps define or solve problems related to clients, the client system, or work-related issues.

Answer 64

d. a voluntary relationship between a professional helper and a help-needing individual, group, or
social unit in which the consultant helps define or solve problems related to clients, the client system, or work-related issues.

Question 65

NBCC’s Code of Ethics describes ethical issues related to private practice. Which of these situations is clearly an ethics violation?

a. A private practitioner who advertises in the Yellow Pages.
b. A private practitioner who advertises in a daily newspaper.
c. A counselor who terminates a professional relationship with a client because she feels it is no
longer productive for her client. She refers the client to another helper.
d. An executive director of a private practice who has his name listed on the practice’s website as a
counseling provider despite the fact that he is out of the country and is engaged in a research project for the next two years.

Answer 65

d. An executive director of a private practice who has his name listed on the practice’s website as a
counseling provider despite the fact that he is out of the country and is engaged in a research project for the next two years.

Question 66

Nosology refers to a system of classification. Name the nosological system(s) utilized by professional counselors who diagnose clients.

a. DSM.
b. ICD.
c. a and b.
d. The Rogerian classification system.

Answer 66

c. a and b.

Question 67

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) was created by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The Manual of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death (ICD) was created by the World Health Organization (WHO). Which counselor would most likely be required to utilize one of these guides to diagnose a client?

a. A counselor who wishes to secure insurance (i.e., third-party) payments.
b. A school counselor discussing a child with a teacher.
c. A multicultural counselor who is seeing a client who grew up in another country.
d. A counselor leading a T-group.

Answer 67

a. A counselor who wishes to secure insurance (i.e., third-party) payments.

Question 68

Traditionally, ________ counseling has caused the most ethical concerns.

a. behavioral
b. person-centered
c. humanistic
d. reality therapy

Answer 68

a. behavioral

Question 69

Insurance payments are also called

a. mandated payments.
b. third-party payments.
c. optional payments.
d. psychometric payments.

Answer 69

b. third-party payments.

Question 70

The DSM-5 no longer uses a multiaxial classification system or GAF scale. Diagnostic codes have ________ digits.

a. four or five
b. two
c. nine (which correspond to the DOT)
d. 12

Answer 70

a. four or five

Question 71

Identify the DSM code.

a. 29622
b. 29.622
c. 296.99
d. 2962.2

Answer 71

c. 296.99

Question 72

A counselor educator is giving a seminar on the DSM-5. She gives the students a handout and it lists hoarding disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder as both having the same 300.3 code. This most likely explanation is:

a. that this could be correct since two diagnoses can share a single code.
b. it is a typo on the handout.
c. this is a trick question since the counselor educator must be quoting an ICD code.
d. she is a researcher and thus does not realize all disorders have unique codes.

Answer 72

a. that this could be correct since two diagnoses can share a single code.

Question 73

During a counseling session your client tells you in great detail how he robbed a convenience store six months ago. He got away with a huge sum of money and shot the owner. His descriptions are extremely specific and you believe every word he says. In reality, you are very familiar with the case because the police never solved it and it has been all over the radio and television stations in your town. There is even a huge reward to anybody who can help law enforcement agencies solve the case. Ethically, you should

a. call the police and tell them everything you know.
b. urge the client to call the police and turn himself in.
c. call the anonymous crime tips line since as a counselor you would not be permitted to reveal your
true identity.
d. just keep it confidential.

Answer 73

d. just keep it confidential.

Question 74

All of the conditions below are V code diagnoses except:

a. Acculturation problem.
b. Occupational problem.
c. Post-traumatic stress disorder.
d. Academic problem.

Answer 74

c. Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Question 75

Formal diagnosis, also known as nosology, is most closely related to the ________ model.

a. behavioral
b. medical
c. cognitive-behavioral
d. rational-emotive behavior therapy

Answer 75

b. medical

Question 76

Which treatment match-up is incorrect?

a. Vivitrol for alcoholism.
b. Lithium for bipolar disorder.
c. Suboxone for opiod dependence.
d. Narcan for schizophrenia.

Answer 76

d. Narcan for schizophrenia.

Question 77

The type of mental health service provided to the client is coded via ________ and is generally required for insurance payments.

a. the DSM
b. the ICD
c. the AMA’s Current Procedural Terminology (e.g., CPT 90844)
d. the Psychiatric Dictionary

Answer 77

c. the AMA’s Current Procedural Terminology (e.g., CPT 90844)

Question 78

You refer a client to Dr. Smith. Ethically, Dr. Smith

a. may not pay you a referral fee for sending her the client.
b. may pay you a referral fee if you have a written contract with her.
c. may pay you a referral fee if she has expertise in the client’s area of concern and you don’t and the client gives you written permission.
d. can pay you a referral fee if, and only if, she is a psychiatrist.

Answer 78

a. may not pay you a referral fee for sending her the client.

Question 79

You have written a very popular book on reality therapy. Now you are teaching a graduate course on
counseling at a local university. Ethically, you

a. may not use the textbook in your class.
b. may not use the textbook in your class, but other teachers at the university may indeed use your
book as a textbook.
c. may use the book as a textbook in your class; however, the royalties you receive must be donated to
the institution.
d. may use the book as a textbook in your class.

Answer 79

d. may use the book as a textbook in your class.

Question 80

An elementary school counselor is giving a child a standardized test. On several occasions the child says
he does not understand what the counselor has said. The counselor should

a. refuse to repeat the question.
b. tell the child to answer the question nevertheless.
c. repeat the question, but talk more slowly.
d. ignore the child’s verbalizations.

Answer 80

c. repeat the question, but talk more slowly.

Question 81

The most popular paradigm of mental health consultation has been proposed by

a. Satir and Minuchin.
b. Schein.
c. Caplan.
d. Bandura.

Answer 81

c. Caplan.

Question 82

The doctor–patient consultation model relies on four distinct stages: entry, diagnosis, implementation, and evaluation. In order for the doctor–patient structure to work, the consultee (i.e., the person receiving the consultation) must accurately depict symptomatology, trust the consultant’s diagnosis, and carry out the consultant’s directives. This model is associated most closely with the work of

a. Caplan.
b. Freud.
c. Adler.
d. Schein.

Answer 82

d. Schein.

Question 83

________ are the leading causes of malpractice actions taken against counselors, therapists, and mental health providers.

a. Confidentiality and dual relationships
b. Termination
c. Failure of the duty to warn
d. Inferior record keeping

Answer 83

a. Confidentiality and dual relationships

Question 84

Your client was seeing Dr. Doyle for counseling for three years. The client has now stopped seeing Dr. Doyle and has an appointment to see you. You should

a. refuse to see the client unless she will sign a release so you can secure the information Dr. Doyle compiled.
b. call Dr. Doyle. In this situation no release of information or consent form is necessary.
c. counsel the client.
d. put something in writing and send it to Dr. Doyle prior to the second session of counseling.

Answer 84

c. counsel the client.

Question 85

You are treating a man who suffers from panic disorder. His panic attacks are so severe he cannot drive to work. After just three sessions he is not only driving to work but has taken up sky diving to demonstrate his progress over his fear. You would love to put his testimonial on your brochure to show how adept you are at treating this affliction. You should

a. ask him if he will write you a few sentences to place on the brochure with his name at the end.
b. ask him if you can write the testimonial for him and place it on the brochure.
c. not ask him for a testimonial since it would constitute an ethics violation.
d. ask him if he will write you a few sentences to place on the brochure but assure him that his name
will not appear.

Answer 85

c. not ask him for a testimonial since it would constitute an ethics violation.

Question 86

Ethical dilemmas rarely have clear-cut answers. Thus when a complex ethical situation manifests itself, it is best to

a. consult only ethical codes and not colleagues.
b. consult with colleagues as well as ethical codes inasmuch as legal standards are very often based on
the methods of fellow professionals in analogous situations.
c. consult ACA but not your colleagues.
d. consult your state licensing bureau but not your colleagues.

Answer 86

b. consult with colleagues as well as ethical codes inasmuch as legal standards are very often based on
the methods of fellow professionals in analogous situations.

Question 87

You have attempted to help a client for over two years with little or no success. You should

a. always refer the client to a board-certified psychiatrist.
b. terminate the relationship and initiate an appropriate referral.
c. change therapeutic modalities and see the client for another six months.
d. change therapeutic modalities and see the client for at least another year.

Answer 87

b. terminate the relationship and initiate an appropriate referral.

Question 88

Assume that you have decided to refer a client elsewhere because you were unable to help her. Upon you mentioning this, the client insists that she has seen several other therapists and you are the finest one. Ethics guidelines would dictate that

a. you must see her; your duty is to the client.
b. you must refer her to a medical practitioner.
c. you must ask her to consider hospitalization.
d. you are not obligated to continue the relationship.

Answer 88

d. you are not obligated to continue the relationship.

Question 89

Counseling is a relatively new profession. The first counselors in the United States were not called
counselors. They were

a. psychoanalysts practicing short-term therapy.
b. behaviorists practicing short-term therapy.
c. deans and advisors employed after the Civil War in college settings to watch over young women.
d. humanistic psychologists.

Answer 89

c. deans and advisors employed after the Civil War in college settings to watch over young women.

Question 90

Historically speaking, the first psychology laboratory was set up by

a. Frank Parsons, who set up community centers to help individuals in search of work.
b. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis.
c. Wilhelm Wundt, in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany.
d. E. G. Williamson.

Answer 90

c. Wilhelm Wundt, in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany.

Question 91

Counseling became popular after the 1931 publication of

a. Workbook in Vocations by William Proctor, Glidden Ross Benefield, and Gilbert Wrenn.
b. The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud.
c. Behaviorism by John B.Watson.
d. Counseling and Psychotherapy by Carl Ransom Rogers.

Answer 91

a. Workbook in Vocations by William Proctor, Glidden Ross Benefield, and Gilbert Wrenn.

Question 92

PL 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) states that

a. all children between ages 5 and 21 are assured free education.
b. handicapped persons are placed in the least-restrictive environment (LRE).
c. an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each child
d. all of the above.

Answer 92

d. all of the above.

Question 93

The major trend that impacted upon the counseling movement in the 1980s

a. was reality therapy.
b. was behavior modification.
c. included an emphasis on professionalism, certification, and licensing.
d. was the group movement.

Answer 93

c. included an emphasis on professionalism, certification, and licensing.

Question 94

The APGA and APA had joint ethics guidelines for counselors and psychologists. This changed during the 1970s when

a. Psy.D. programs were introduced.
b. the APA did not wish to credential master’s level counselors or psychologists.
c. psychologists were doing more testing.
d. joint ethics became illegal in the United States.

Answer 94

b. the APA did not wish to credential master’s level counselors or psychologists.

Question 95

The 1950s was the age of tremendous strides in

a. analysis.
b. developmental psychology.
c. behavior modification.
d. group work.

Answer 95

b. developmental psychology.

Question 96

The ________ movement began in the late 1960s.

a. testing
b. Rogerian
c. group
d. developmental psychology

Answer 96

c. group

Question 97

In the 1960s C. Gilbert Wrenn’s book, The Counselor in

a Changing World, urged counselors to
a. use biofeedback.
b. rely more heavily on projective testing.
c. emphasize developmental concerns rather than merely focusing on crises and curing emotional
illness.
d. stick to proven nondirective techniques.

Answer 97

c. emphasize developmental concerns rather than merely focusing on crises and curing emotional
illness.

Question 98

One of the primary problems of counseling in the early 1960s was that it wrongly emphasized

a. social issues.
b. intrapsychic processes.
c. referrals to secure antidepressant medicine.
d. career counseling.

Answer 98

b. intrapsychic processes.

Question 99

The significance of the 1958 National Defense Education Act was that it

a. provided financial aid for graduate education in counseling.
b. expanded school guidance services.
c. improved guidance for gifted children.
d. all of the above.

Answer 99

d. all of the above.

Question 100

A man has a rare, highly contagious disease that is fatal. He is keeping it a secret and insists that he will never tell his wife. You should

a. break confidentiality and tell his wife.
b. honor the man’s decision not to tell his wife for therapeutic reasons.
c. honor the man’s decision not to tell his wife in order to maintain ethical confidentiality.
d. handle it based on your clinical intuition since ethical guidelines fail to address this emotionally
charged issue.

Answer 100

a. break confidentiality and tell his wife.