California MFT Law and Ethics Practice Tests

If a client is reluctant to share records, even if sharing records is a good idea, what should a therapist do first?

In what case regarding sharing records might it be a good idea to start with where the client's at and also acknowledge the client's self determination?

Is obtaining informed consent a legal or ethical issue?

WHAT that happens at the onset of treatment is BOTH a legal and ethical issue?

If a client is elderly and not taking care of his home (very, very messy) but has no dementia and wants to stay in his home, what is the best course of action?

In what instances would it be a good idea to arrange for an in-home assessment of an elderly person whose family wants them to move to a facility?

*We want to make sure to respect self-determination and assess that family aren't exerting too much control over decisions.

If a client presents with an issue that is outside of the scope of competence of the therapist, should the therapist first tell the client their limitations or seek consultation immediately?

In what case would a therapist refrain from telling the client about the therapist's limitations in treating a certain area?

Is it illegal to avoid talking about termination with someone who doesn't have any treatment goals to work on but the therapist is enjoying the sessions, or is it simply unethical?

It is unethical to treat a patient in WHAT instance where the patient is doing well?

Can you assert privilege when you get a court order?

What type of subpoena is one that a therapist wouldn't assert privilege for?

If you receive a court order for a client's records what is the most important thing to do?

Contacting a lawyer is the best and ultimate option for protecting your client in response to WHAT type of subpoena?

If a client is age 12 or older and is mature enough to consent to their own treatment, should a therapist simply allow the child to consent on their own or determine whether or not to get the parents' consent?

A therapist always needs to first assess if there is a reason not to include the parents in WHAT situations at the start of therapy?

If a therapist decides not to include a minor's parents in treatment, what is the next step to take immediately after obtaining the client's informed consent?

When should a therapist document in the record the reasons why a minor's parents are not included?

If a minor is age 12 or older (and mature) and their parents are supportive of therapy (there is reason to include them) what should a therapist do?

A therapist should obtain consent from a minor's parents and allow them to pay for treatment in what instances?

If a family with some children older the age of 12 and some below and are engaging in family treatment who should consent?

All members of the family should consent for treatment even if what is true?

What should a therapist do when a client refuses to pay after learning of the fee after treatment began even if it was a crisis situation?

A therapist should always accept a client's refusal to pay in what instance?

If a therapist treats a client in crisis without disclosing fees what is an option that the therapist can take if the client refuses to pay?

A therapist can negotiate for a partial fee if a client refuses to pay in what type of situation involving a crisis?

If a client is in crisis and refuses to pay for the initial session because they didn't know the fee, what are some options the therapist has?

A therapist can do one of the following in what instance?

1. Refer a client out who is refusing to pay the fee

2. Inform the client that future sessions will be at the therapist's full rate

If a student threatens to shoot kids at his school and has access to a gun but later retracts his statement, how should a therapist respond?

A therapist should contact the police because how horrible would it be if he did it and the police hadn't been warned?

If a client is moving out of the area and wants to continue skype sessions, what is the therapist's legal and ethical duty?

A therapist should initially help the client explore finding a therapist in the new area unless the area has few resources. This should be done first before automatically offering telemedicine sessions.

If a therapist accidentally texts the wrong client or sends a personal text to a client a therapist should

Acknowledge the mistake and discuss the boundary violation.

If a client gives you a gift card, what should you do?

Determine the value of the card. If it's low, you might accept. But, if it's high simply acknowledge the gesture and decline it.

It is unethical to accept a cash bonus.

If a group member tells you another member broke confidentiality how should you respond?

Usually you would encourage the group member to bring it up in the group. Then, remind the group of the importance of confidentiality.

If a client asks you direct questions about your background (e.g. religion) you should...

Acknowledge the question and explore its significance. You can also answer truthfully but not before exploring the reason for it being asked.

If a client asks a therapist for help to conceal a crime what happens?

That particular conversation is not covered by client/therapist privilege.

If a client reports that a neighbor is unable to take care of himself anymore (clear evidence of self-neglect) a therapist must?

File an APS report even though the elder is not a client. It's the same as for children.

A client with BPD requests the therapist to also offer her couples therapy. What should the therapist do?

Decline because it's contraindicated in this case.

If a therapist is contacted by the opposing council's attorney for records in a lawsuit for emotional harm, how should they respond?

Ideally, by contacting the client first. If that's not an answer option, the next step is to assert privilege.

If a client acknowledges abuse of her elderly mother but the mother has already passed, what should the therapist do?

NOT call APS. Support the client. Help them with their shame. Asses for child abuse in the home or other elder abuse. Refer to a grief support group.

If a client states that they have thoughts of hurting their girlfriend so she cannot hurt them again, what should a therapist do?

Assess what they their thoughts of "harm" are and if the client has an imminent plan.

If a therapist is treating an individual client who is in couples therapy with someone else, should she have both members of the couple sign a release or just the individual she is treating?

Just the individual she is treating. The couple's therapist would need two signatures, not the individual therapist.

If a therapist treats patients who have varying levels of ability to give informed consent because of their varying degrees of impairment from day to day, when should they get the signed informed consent for a study?

They should only get the signature for the study when they are assured that the patients are capable of giving informed consent.

If a client wants to get supervised by you because it's the best fit for their placement or because it's a hardship to travel to another placement, what should you do?

You should acknowledge the hardship and encourage them to seek another placement.

If a therapist has a client with distinct cultural impact on the current presenting problem, should the therapist first seek consultation or ask the client directly to explore the impact of their culture on the situation?

It's always best to have a client speak for themselves about the impact of their culture rather than seek to get input from another source.

If a therapist is dismissing a client from a group because of their behavior how should they tell them?

They should inform them privately, not in front of the group.

If a client informs you of a dangerous situation for a child that is happening right now and needs to be intercepted should you call CPS or the police?

Call the police because they can react more quickly. Then call CPS?

If the question states that the therapist suspects elder abuse but is unsure of the impact of calling APS what should a therapist do?

The therapist is mandated to call APS regardless of their worries about it because they already SUSPECT elder abuse.

If a therapist is contacted by a former romantic partner for therapy, would seeing this client be a dual relationship or a conflict of interest?

It would be a conflict of interest because the therapist would have a hard time remaining impartial.

If there is no current relationship between the two of you it's no longer a dual relationship.

If a client is on a 5150 and the normal therapist is unsure of why, how should they respond?

They can call the hospital and ask to speak to the treating psychiatrist. Because it's a crisis the MD is required to share information to help coordinate treatment.

If a teenager wants treatment and the parents are married but only one parent is willing to consent, legally the therapist should what?

The therapist should have the one parent sign who is willing to sign.

If a client shows up and then tries to leave drunk the therapist should what?

Call 911 if trying to stop the client would present as a safety issue to the therapist.

If a therapist thinks that their client needs additional services (such as twice weekly) what is their obligation?

Their obligation first and foremost is to inform the client or their parents (if a minor) and document this fact AND their response in the client's chart.

Both HIV and AIDS statuses are protected. So, what does this mean for therapists?

Neither can be shared with someone else without their consent.

Can a therapist do a custody evaluation for a child who they are treating for individual therapy?

No! Refer out for the evaluation.

If a therapist is bothered by a new client hugging them often, what should they do first?

Discuss with the client his need or urge to hug. Also, set a boundary regarding personal touch.

If a couple breaks up and then one of them contacts you for individual therapy, what should you do? And, then if the other one contacts you what should you do?

The therapist could say yes to the first person but should say no to the second and refer out without an explanation or breaking person #1's confidentiality.

If a therapist notices an injury on a disabled client in a facility but determines that the injury was not abuse what should they do?

Document the injury and the reason for not making a report. Do not report it and take no further action.

If two parents who are married bring in a young child but then one withdraws their consent, what should you do?

Continue treating because in this case you only need the consent of one parent.

If a client is seeing two individual therapists for two different disorders which are closely related (e.g. social phobia and GAD) what should you do?

One therapist should stop treatment because the presenting issues are too closely related. It would be unethical for both to continue.

If a client with an hx of si tells you that they frequently threaten suicide during arguments, but laughs you off when you ask about a plan what should you do?

Continue to try and assess for potential harm to self even though client initially chose not to answer your question.

If a client is going on vacation and wants to continue sessions while on vacation the best answer to the test question would be?

Complete a separate informed consent for tele-therapy with her, and agree to provide phone sessions while she is away.

Rationale: Legally, therapists can treat clients who are temporarily traveling, even if out-of-state, but must receive informed consent specific to tele-therapy.

If we had an option to contact the state's licensing board to determine regulations regarding teletherapy for out of state clinicians, that would be the best answer, but it is not available to us in this question.

It would be illegal to treat a client who is residing in a different state.