TDC exam 3 Flashcards
A therapist is treating an incarcerated client in the prison system. The client is in prison for drug charges. The client shares that they used to shoplift food in order to have enough to eat. How should the therapist handle the disclosure?
Maintain confidentiality.
A therapist in private practice has been treating a family for four months when the father is unexpectedly laid off from his job. The parents come to the therapist explaining that they can no longer afford to pay the full fee for sessions; the therapist believes the family is in need of further treatment, especially now. What should the therapist do?
Provide a sliding scale based fee for the family.
A 55-year-old male client is talking with his therapist about past trauma. He reports that he recently noticed he is feeling more tired and having a hard time with memory. How should the therapist proceed?
Refer to doctor.
A therapist is treating a mother, stepfather, 12-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter for family therapy. The mother requests that the therapist speak to the son’s teacher because he has been complaining of problems in the classroom. When obtaining a release to speak to the teacher, whom should the therapist have sign the release?
The mother, the step-father and the son
A client signs a release of information authorizing her therapist to speak to her psychiatrist about her medication history. During the call, the psychiatrist asks for details about the client’s treatment and childhood history. The therapist should:
Limit discussion to scope of release.
A therapist in private practice receives a client referral from another therapist. The referring therapist calls to find out how the first session went with the client. The therapist should FIRST:
Inform the therapist that no information can be shared without a release.
A school counselor refers a 10 year-old boy for therapy due to his aggressive behavior towards other students in his class. The mother states that her son is respectful in the home and plays well with his neighbors and his two younger siblings. After obtaining a psychosocial history from the mother, the therapist should next:
Obtain a release from mother to talk with the school counselor.
After treating a client for three months the therapist learns that they are both members of the same health club. The client asks when the therapist works out and suggests that they should meet up sometime. The therapist should:
Decline the invitation.
While assessing a 71-year-old man, the therapist learns that he has not left his house in over a month. He is thin and says he lives off top ramen and chicken soup. His phone has been disconnected for the past week because he forgot to pay the bill. His children live out of state and he doesn’t like to worry them. He can’t remember the last time he went to the doctor, but he has a card from the office. His apartment is full of garbage. What initial resource is most appropriate in this case:
Adult Protective Services
According to HIPAA all of the following are true regarding psychotherapy notes EXCEPT:
psychotherapy notes are released to third-party payers for billing.
A therapist runs into a former client at the mall a year after their treatment ended. The client asks the therapist out to dinner and a movie and the therapist accepts. The therapist’s actions are:
Unethical but legal
A new client discloses that she had sexual relations with her previous therapist. After providing the client with the brochure “Professional Therapy Never Includes Sexual Behavior”, the therapist should:
Encourage the client to file a report with the BBS.
A therapist responds to a flyer advertising housekeeping service and realizes during the discussion that the person is a former client. The former client recognizes the therapist and offers her services at half price, adding that she really needs work. The therapist’s BEST response is to:
Politely decline services.
In which of the following situations should involuntary hospitalization be considered?
A person indicates a plan and intent to cause self-harm
A client, who is an electrician, recently terminated with his therapist. In the final session, he expressed financial difficulties due to lack of work. The therapist needs electrical work done in his home and considers offering the job to the client. The therapist should:
Not offer the job to the client in order to avoid a dual relationship.
A 19-year-old woman is referred by her medical doctor for therapy for anxiety. During the session, the client reports that she was sexually molested by her gymnastics coach when she was in junior high school. She states that she loved him and doesn’t want him to get in any trouble. Based on this disclosure, the therapist legally should:
Maintain confidentiality.
A therapist begins treatment with a 17 year-old girl who is newly pregnant and trying to decide what to do about the pregnancy. After several sessions, the therapist realizes that her own value system may be interfering with the client’s treatment. What should the therapist do NEXT?
Consult with a supervisor or colleague to try and resolve the dilemma.
A therapist finds herself overwhelmed by disturbing images of her sister’s death each time a particular client begins to describe her own bereavement. How should the therapist manage the situation?
By seeking professional help to address unresolved issues.
An agency therapist is experiencing difficulty concentrating and completing work-related tasks after the recent death of a parent. A colleague reports to the therapist that patients are complaining about the therapist’s lack of attention and follow-through. The therapist should:
Seek consultation immediately.
A 65-year-old man comes to counseling for symptoms of depression and anxiety. The client reveals that his 40-year- old son has been living with him and demanding money from the client to buy drugs. Once, when he was high, he hit the client. The son has also threatened the client stating, “If you tell anyone you will be sorry.” What legal responsibility does the therapist have in this case?
Immediately report elder abuse to adult protective services agency.
A therapist who was a victim of sexual abuse as a child meets with an 18-year-old client who also experienced childhood sexual abuse from a teacher. The therapist is concerned about working effectively with this client due to her lack of experience in treating sexual abuse. The therapist should FIRST:
Refer the client to someone who specializes in sexual abuse.
A therapist has been meeting with a client for over a year. During the most recent session, the client asks the therapist to come to her daughter’s dance recital. The therapist declines and the client is visibly upset. The therapist should:
Clarify professional boundaries.
A Mandarin-speaking client meets with a therapist at a mental health clinic after witnessing a shooting in the community. The client and his brother, who accompanies him, have limited proficiency in English. The therapist does not speak Mandarin, but knows a receptionist who is a native speaker. The therapist’s MOST appropriate action is to:
Obtain a professional translator before proceeding.
A therapist has been meeting with a client for six month with the goal of treating the client’s social anxiety. The goals set forth at the beginning of therapy have been met. When the therapist brings up termination the client reports he’s afraid to terminate therapy and would like to continue for several more months. How should the therapist respond to the client’s request?
Explore client’s fears regarding termination.
A 30-year-old client diagnosed with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder has been meeting with a therapist in a private practice. Despite weekly meetings for over three months, there have been no changes in the client’s symptoms. The therapist will BEST serve the client by:
Consulting with an experienced colleague about the case.
A therapist is treating a 24-year-old gay male client whose partner is physically and emotionally abusive. The therapist has reviewed a safety plan with the client and explored his options. The client is adamant that his partner won’t do it again and wants to keep trying at the relationship. The therapist has serious doubts about the client’s safety and thinks the client should end the relationship. The therapist should:
Acknowledge the client’s hope that the partner will change.
A mother seeks therapy for her 11-year-old son after a physical altercation with another boy at school. The mother reports that she and the boy’s father recently got divorced and the father moved to another state. She assures the therapist that she has sole legal custody of her son. In order to proceed with therapy, the therapist should:
Obtain a copy of the custody agreement.
A therapist in private practice who specializes in adults with anxiety and depression chooses not to complete a treatment plan for his clients. This behavior is:
Unethical and below the standard of care.
A therapist is working with a family with strict religious orthodox beliefs and a 14-year old who is showing problem behaviors that contradict the parents’ beliefs. The therapist believes the teenager’s actions are developmentally appropriate. What is the best course of action?
Normalize youth’s behaviors and validate her feelings while identifying problematic behaviors in the context of family’s value system.
A client, who is a single mother, informs the therapist that she was offered a better job in another state where she does not know anyone. She requests assistance finding childcare for her 5-year old. She is conflicted because she thinks that it would be easier for her to remain in her present living arrangement with her parents until the child is older. The therapist thinks the client should stay. The therapist should:
Explore the pros and cons of her options.
