Professional Orientation & Ethics

Question 1

You are hired to run a new not-for-profit counseling agency. The best title to use would be:

a) professional counselor, because that is your official profession
b) executive director
c) clinical director
d) program director

Answer 1

b) executive director

Question 2

A not-for-profit board should be diverse. The best board for a counseling agency would be:

a) an African-American licensed counselor, a Native American school psychometrician, and a Caucasian psychiatrist
b) an African American licensed counselor, a Native American school psychometrician, and an Asian American social worker
c) a Latino pastoral counselor, a Native American school psychometrician, and a Caucasian licensed clinical psychologist
d) a Caucasian attorney, a Caucasian television meterologist, and a Caucasian certified public accountant (CPA)

Answer 2

d) a Caucasian attorney, a Caucasian television meterologist, and a Caucasian certified public accountant (CPA)

Question 3

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 3

b) NBCC

Question 4

Most ethical dilemmas are related to:

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

Answer 4

a) confidentiality

Question 5

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

a) beneficence
b) justice
c) non maleficence
d) defamation

Answer 5

d) defamation

Question 6

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 6

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

Question 7

A counselor who possess 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 3 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 psychologist
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 7

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 psychologist

Question 8

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

a) the psychologist 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 psychiatrist
d) in most states psychologist do not need to take an exam

Answer 8

a) the psychologist are working to eliminate practitioners with less than a doctorate, while the counselors are not

Question 9

You are a school counselor who wishes to refer an orthopedically disabled student 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 9

a) a CRC

Question 10

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 records 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 10

a) you are sexually involved with a client

Question 11

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 11

c) a and b

Question 12

Traditionally, ________ counseling has caused the most ethical concerns:

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

Answer 12

a) behavioral

Question 13

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

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

Answer 13

c) Caplan

Question 14

You have attempted to help a client for over 2 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 6 months
d) change therapeutic modalities and see the client for at least another year

Answer 14

b) terminate the relationship and initiate an appropriate referral

Question 15

Counseling became popular after the 1931 publication of:

a) Workbook in Vocations by Proctor, Benefield and; Wrenn
b) The Interpretation of Dreams by Freud
c) Behaviorism by Watson
d) Counseling and Psychotherapy by Rogers

Answer 15

a) Workbook in Vocations by Proctor, Benefield and Wrenn

Question 16

You are a consultant to a licensed professional counselor who wishes to form her own not-for-profit counseling agency. Your first step wold be to:

a) make her aware of United Way policies and procedures
b) select an appropriate location for the center. Make certain it is convenient for clients
c) familiarize her with 501(c) 3 IRS regulations
d) select an appropriate location for the center. Mae certain it is near a bus stop or other public transprtaiton

Answer 16

c) familiarize her with 501(c) 3 IRS regulations

Question 17

You are a consultant to a counselor who is the executive director for a not-for-profit agency that has been around for nearly 20 years. He wants to have 2 attorneys on the board. You would explain that:

a) it is against 501(c) 3 regulations
b) is is not against 501(c) 3 but it makes no sense
c) it might make sense if the attorneys have different specialties. You ask for more information
d) ACA as well as NBCC ethical guidelines frown on this practice.

Answer 17

c) it might make sense if the attorneys have different specialties. You ask for more information

Question 18

You are a consultant helping a counselor start a not-for-profit agency. In terms of the budget:

a) you will not need to put any salary figures in for the board of directors because they do not get paid
b) you will need to allocate approximately $10,000 for each board member’s salary
c) you will need to allocate approximately $20, 000 a year for each board member’s salary
d) you will need to allocate approximately $30, 000 a year for each board member’s salary

Answer 18

a) you will not need to put any salary figures in for the board of directors because they do not get paid

Question 19

An executive director is worried because an advisory board member at her non-for-profit counseling agency wants to fire her. As a consultant you should tell her that:

a) an advisory board cannot fire an executive director
b) an advisory board could fire an executive director, but the odds of it happening are very rare
c) since she is the top-paid person she cannot be fired
d) really need to know a lot more about the situation in question

Answer 19

a) an advisory board cannot fire an executive director

Question 20

You serve on the City Council and have a master’s degree in counseling. You are very good at fund raising. The XYZ Children’s Crisis Agency ran a sports auction that raised a healthy sum of money for the agency for many years. The agency now has new board members and employees and quite frankly doesn’t have a clue how to pull off this fundraiser. The agency wants you to attend some board meetings because they do not know how to put together the sports auction fundraiser:

a) you could come in to help as an ex-officio board member, but you must be elected just like any other board member
b) you could return as an ex-officio board member and help them, but you would have no voting rights if the bylaws of the agency prohibits it
c) according to state law you could not attend the board meetings
d) according to federal 501(c) 3 regulations you would not be permitted to attend the board meetings

Answer 20

b) you could return as an ex-officio board member and help them, but you would have no voting rights if the bylaws of the agency prohibits it

Question 21

You are supervising a counselor for state licensing. You are very attracted to this counselor and would like to have a romantic and sexual relationship with this person. According tot he March 2013 NBCC Ethics Code you:

a) must wait 2 years after your final supervision session before you act on your impulses
b) should wait at least 5 years until after your final session before you act on your impulses
c) understand that you can never have a sexual relationship with this supervisee under any circumstances
d) can have a sexual relationship with her during the supervision period, if and only if, she signs a contract saying she has entered into the relationship willingly

Answer 21

a) must wait 2 years after your final supervision session before you act on your impulses

Question 22

You received your EdD in counseling from an accredited university in counseling. You are licensed as a counselor. Because of your work in neuroscience and psychotherapy another school gave you an honorary degree (a PhD) in clinical psychology. You are creating an updated brochure for your agency:

a) according to the new NBCC ethics that kick in March 2013, you could list the EdD and the PhD, but you must mention that the PhD is an honorary degree
b) according to the new NBCC ethics you merely list both degrees. There is no requirement saying you must designate the PhD as an honorary credential
c) according to the new NBCC 2013 ethics you are only permitted to list the counseling degree and not the psychology degree
d) the NBCC 2013 ethical code fails to address this issue and thus you may handle the situation using your best professional judgement

Answer 22

a) according to the new NBCC ethics that kick in March 2013, you could list the EdD and the PhD, but you must mention that the PhD is an honorary degree

Question 23

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 23

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

Question 24

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 24

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

Question 25

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 25

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

Question 26

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 26

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

Question 27

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 27

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

Question 28

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 28

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

Question 29

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

a) counter transference
b) ambivalent transference
c) negative transference
d) positive transference

Answer 29

counter transference

Question 30

As a professional counselor you develop a self-help software package for use by the general public. Ethics indicate that:

a) the package must be designed to use with counseling
b) the package must be designed to use with counseling and then modified for stand-alone usage
c) the package must be initially designed for stand-alone usage as opposed to modifying a package requiring counselor support
d) this is an unethical practice

Answer 30

c) the package must be initially designed for stand-alone usage as opposed to modifying a package requiring counselor support

Question 31

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

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Section A, which is the general section of NBCCs Code of Ethics, cautions counselors against sexual harassment defined as “unwelcome comments, gestures, or physical contacts of a sexual nature.” An example of an ethics violation in this respect would be:

a) a female counselor who repeatedly tells a male clients how sexy his hairy chest looks when he leave his shirt unbuttoned
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 must better and the counselor comments, “You certainly look nice today.”

Answer 32

a) a female counselor who repeatedly tells a male clients how sexy his hairy chest looks when he leave his shirt unbuttoned

Question 33

A client asks you 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 33

c) unethical as this is misrepresentation

Question 34

Section B of NBCCs Code of Ethics deals with the counseling relationship. Thus a counselor who uses a paradoxical strategy:

a) has committed a blatant ethics violation
b) does not need to explain the purpose of the paradox to the client
c) should explain the purpose of this technique to the client
d) must tape record the interview

Answer 34

c) should explain the purpose of this technique to the client

Question 35

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 wise choice
c) inform the client of this before the counseling begins
d) never do this as it is unethical in our field

Answer 35

c) inform the client of this before the counseling begins

Question 36

As you are reading the DSM you see this code: 296.2X. In this case the X (i.e., the 5th digit) refers to:

a) severity and thus it will be replaced with a diagnostic number
b) an adjustment disorder
c) developmental disorder
d) physical disorders and conditions

Answer 36

a) severity and thus it will be replaced with a diagnostic number

Question 37

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 37

a) break confidentiality and tell his wife