Professional Values and Ethical Issues

Question 1

Psychotherapy notes

Answer 1

Should be kept in a separate section from the rest of the file for additional level of condifentiality

Question 2

Client lacking ability for informed consent/Minor clients

Answer 2

Informed CONSENT obtained by a responsible 3rd party and ASSENT is obtained from the client

Question 3

Client access to records

Answer 3

Clients should have access to their records upon request

**SWs should only limit client access to records in exceptional circumstances when there is compelling evidence that such access would cause harm to a client

Question 4

Soliciting info (sw from client)

Answer 4

SW should only solicit info essential for providing services - minimum necessary to achieve purpose

Question 5

Disclosing confidential information

Answer 5

SWs can disclose confidential info when appropriate with valid consent from client or a personal legally authorized to consent on behalf of client (this includes legal requirements)

**SWs should inform clients to the extent possible about the disclosure of such information and the potential consequence

Question 6

Legal proceedings and confidentiality

Answer 6

SWs should protect confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings to the extent permitted by law

**When a court orders release of records/info and that release causes potential harm to client, SW should request that the order is withdrawn or limited in scope

Question 7

Court order

Answer 7

SW should release records

Question 8

Subpoena

Answer 8

NOT a court order – SW should respond by claiming privilege and not turn over the records until there is an official court order

Question 9

Deceased clients

Answer 9

Have the same confidentiality rights as alive clients and those must be protected

Question 10

Mandated reporting

Answer 10

Includes other SWs who are unable to perform the functions of their work

Question 11

Breaking confidentiality with adults - duty to warn

Answer 11

When client makes a specific and imminent threat to an identifiable 3rd party

When a client harms a specific population - elders and children

Question 12

Duty to protect

Answer 12

Breaking confidentiality when client is a danger to himself - hospitalization as an example

Question 13

Transference

Answer 13

Client to SW (linking feelings for a significant person to the social worker)

Question 14

Countertransference

Answer 14

SW to client (redirection of SW feelings towards a client)

Question 15

DV and social exchange theory

Answer 15

Totaling potential benefits and losses are calculated to determine behavior

Question 16

DV and couples therapy

Answer 16

**According to most literature, traditional couples therapy is NOT appropriate in addressing abuse in the family and puts the victim in greater danger

Medical needs and safety are a priority!

Question 17

Burnout

Answer 17

State of physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual exhaustion; characterized by emotional fatigue and feeling inadequate

Question 18

Secondary trauma

Answer 18

Behaviors and emotions that result from knowledge about traumatizing events experienced by clients and the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help them - symptoms can mirror those experienced by the primary victim of trauma

Question 19

Compassion fatigue

Answer 19

Syndrome resulting from combination of burnout and secondary trauma

Question 20

Universalism

Answer 20

There is one acceptable norm or standard for everyone - inhibits the therapeutic relationship

Question 21

Dichotomous thinking

Answer 21

Differences are inferior, wrong and bad - inhibits the therapeutic relationship

Question 22

Heightened ability/value on separating, categorizing, numbering, left brain

Answer 22

vs. right brain or whole picture; person studied in isolation and not as part of a group or interrelated to environment - inhibits the therapeutic relationship

Question 23

High value on control, constraint or restraint

Answer 23

vs. flexibility and value on expressiveness - inhibits the therapeutic relationship

Question 24

Measure of self comes from outside and is only in contrast to others

Answer 24

vs. value coming from within - inhibits the therapeutic relationship

Question 25

Power defined as power over others

Answer 25

vs. power through or in harmony with others - inhibits the therapeutic relationship

Question 26

Parallel process

Answer 26

Unconscious identification with a client; can be used as an important part of the supervisory process