Law and Ethics TDC 1

What actions should a therapist take if they feel a sexual attraction toward their client?

A. Recognize this is normal countertransference and continue with treatment

B. Document the countertransference in medical records

C. Seek consultation in order to manage countertransference feelings in order to prevent potential interference in treatment.

D. Address sexual attraction with the client

Seek consultation in order to manage countertransference feelings in order to prevent potential interference in treatment.

Who is responsible for maintaining appropriate boundaries in the therapeutic relationship?

A. The treating therapist

B. The client

C. The therapist while client is actively engaged in treatment

D. Both the therapist and the client

The treating therapist

In the case of Bernie, what action could the therapist have taken to establish and maintain clear boundaries?

A. Discussed boundaries with the minor during the informed consent process

B. Reviewed informed consent with the minor and mother, including a discussion of appropriate boundaries in and out of the therapeutic setting

C. Ignored the client and his mother in any encounters that occurred outside of the therapeutic setting

D. Limited dialogue with mother to discussions of the client and his needs, regardless of setting.

Reviewed informed consent with the minor and mother, including a discussion of appropriate boundaries in and out of the therapeutic setting

In the first three case studies reviewed, a common theme that led to poor boundaries was:

A. Discussing non-therapeutic issues during therapy sessions

B. Attending non-therapeutic events with client

C. Meeting with client outside of the therapeutic setting

D. Communicating with client or family member outside of the therapeutic setting

Communicating with client or family member outside of the therapeutic setting

All of the following can be therapeutically appropriate interventions, except:

A. Providing client with emergency contact information to be used between sessions

B. Continuing to speak with client by phone following termination

C. Increasing contact between sessions

D. Providing a therapy session at a client's home

Continuing to speak with client by phone following termination

What protective steps did Donald take to determine the appropriateness of attending 12-step meetings with his Drug Court clients?

A. Consulted with colleagues during group supervision

B. Obtained legal consultation through a professional association

C. Researched precedent through peer reviewed journals and documented findings in clients' medical records

D. Consulted with his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor

Obtained legal consultation through a professional association

A therapist placed on probation following a disciplinary investigation is responsible for paying the BBS the associated administrative costs accrued by the BBS.

A. True

B. False

True

What was unique about the investigation of Eric, who was investigated after his client died by suicide?

A. The client left a letter the therapist was able to utilize in his defense

B. The therapist developed a cohesive safety plan that the client did not follow

C. The client was a couple and the wife was able to provide testimony

D. The therapist engaged in ongoing collegial consultation and documented support received for this client in medical records

The client was a couple and the wife was able to provide testimony

Which of the following actions should a therapist take when working with a client who is at high risk of attempting suicide to demonstrate they've met the standard of care?

A. Consult with colleagues and document decision-making process in the client's medical record

B. Provide client with a list of referrals for emergency services

C. Assess level of depression

D. Offer to engage family members in therapeutic process

Consult with colleagues and document decision-making process in the client's medical record

Which of the following is an indicator of high risk for a client attempting suicide?

A. Access to weapons

B. Loss of income

C. High levels of anxiety

D. All of the above

Access to weapons, Loss of income and High levels of anxiety

Which of the following steps did not appear to be taken by Eric that could have reduced the risk of suicide?

A. Initiation of involuntary hospitalization

B. Assessing further to determine access to means

C. Engaging with client's daughter and other support systems

D. All of the above

Initiation of involuntary hospitalization, Assessing further to determine access to means, and Engaging with client's daughter and other support systems

Asking a client direct questions about their suicide plans can increase the risk of the client attempting suicide.

A. True

B. False

False

Which of the following best describes the purpose of normalizing suicidal ideation with a client?

A. The client can feel a sense of relief that their thoughts are not making the therapist feel uncomfortable

B. The client will understand that most people who attend therapy experience suicidal ideation

C. The therapist is using their countertransference to build the therapeutic alliance

D. All of the above

The client can feel a sense of relief that their thoughts are not making the therapist feel uncomfortable

Identifying a client's protective factors is an important part of suicide assessment.

A. True

B. False

True

Which of the following steps should a therapist take prior to going on a vacation?

A. Ensure high risk clients are provided resources in case of an emergency

B. Provide all clients with the contact information of a covering therapist

C. Provide referrals for all clients including contact information for a covering therapist who is aware of immediate safety concerns

D. Provide community-based referrals for all clients

Provide referrals for all clients including contact information for a covering therapist who is aware of immediate safety concerns

What actions should a therapist take if their client is not making progress after several months of treatment?

A. Increase the frequency of contact due to a higher level of need

B. Seek consultation to discuss lack of progress

C. Reformulate treatment goals

D. Reconsider initial diagnosis

Seek consultation to discuss lack of progress

In the case study of Francis, what behaviors warranted a board investigation?

A. Insurance fraud

B. Misdiagnosis

C. Client abandonment

D. Answers B and C

Insurance fraud, Client abandonment

What initial action should Francis have taken when informed her client was no longer able to afford her fees?

A. Assist the client in identifying a low or no fee clinic

B. Explore alternative payment options with client

C. Terminate with client before they accrued debt

D. All of the above

Explore alternative payment options with client

If a therapist terminates with a client due to the client's inability to pay, when does the therapist's responsibility for the client's care end?

A. Immediately upon termination

B. When the therapist provides the client with referral options

C. Once the therapist ensures the client has obtained the care needed

D. Once the new therapist completes the informed consent process

Once the therapist ensures the client has obtained the care needed

The issue of client abandonment is both a legal and ethical responsibility.

A. True

B. False

True

What actions should therapists in consultation groups take to address the issue of confidentiality?

A. Share minimal biographical information about clients

B. Change biographical information

C. Inform clients that you consult with colleagues OR do not share identifying information in your consult group as a rule

D. All of the above

Share minimal biographical information about clients, Change biographical information, and Inform clients that you consult with colleagues OR do not share identifying information in your consult group as a rule

What primary issue should a therapist take into consideration when asking a client to be videotaped in a session?

A. The client's length of time in therapy

B. The client's level of engagement in the therapeutic process

C. The client's level of vulnerability to undue influence by the therapist

D. The client's history of engaging in therapy

The client's level of vulnerability to undue influence by the therapist

It is acceptable for a therapist to destroy medical records once they terminate with a client.

A. True

B. False

False

Why is it unethical for a treating therapist to give their opinion regarding custody of a minor when a client is involved in a custody hearing?

A. The therapist has a biased understanding of the client's situation

B. It creates an unethical dual relationship

C. It's not problematic if the therapist is trained in custody evaluation

D. Answers A and B

The therapist has a biased understanding of the client's situation, and It creates an unethical dual relationship

When working with minors under the age of 12, it is best practice to obtain informed consent from both parents, regardless of marital status.

A. True

B. False

True

What actions should a therapist take if a parent of a minor claims they have full custody of their minor child?

A. Request legal documentation of custody agreement

B. Confirm with the minor who has legal and/or physical custody

C. Allow the parent to consent to treatment

D. Obtain minor consent for treatment

Request legal documentation of custody agreement

What ethical responsibilities does a therapist have prior to working with a client who is already engaged in therapy with another clinician?

A. With client permission, contact client's existing clinician to discuss appropriateness of adjunctive treatment

B. Offer sliding scale fee option to offset cost of additional services

C. Conduct a joint session with existing clinician

D. It is never acceptable to engage in therapy with a client who is already working with another clinician

With client permission, contact client's existing clinician to discuss appropriateness of adjunctive treatment

What is the benefit of maintaining a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan?

A. It demonstrates you've met the standard of care

B. It can be used to help guide treatment

C. It provides an opportunity for the therapist to reflect on the work that has been done and the goals ahead

D. All of the above

It demonstrates you've met the standard of care, It can be used to help guide treatment, and It provides an opportunity for the therapist to reflect on the work that has been done and the goals ahead

What is the first step a therapist should take if they are notified an existing client died by suicide to protect their license?

A. Contact their malpractice insurance provider

B. Contact the family to offer condolences

C. Review client's medical record

D. Document the client's suicide in their medical records

Contact their malpractice insurance provider

The BBS' Uniform Standards Related Guidelines to Substance Abuse and Disciplinary Guidelines outlines the different types of violations and range of penalties for which discipline may be imposed.

True

Who is able to make a complaint to the BBS?

A. Clients

B. Supervisors

C. Colleagues

D. All of the above

Clients, Supervisors and Colleagues

When creating treatment plans for your clients, an acceptable plan includes all of the following except:

A. Varied treatment goals and interventions amongst clients

B. Customized in accordance with diagnoses and symptoms

C. Generic symptoms for all of your clients to keep things simple

D. Use complete sentences and detailed information

Generic symptoms for all of your clients to keep things simple

Which statement is most true regarding reporting of child abuse

A. Clinician needs to investigate validity of abuse before making a report

B. Children will typically trust a clinician with information about abuse at the onset of treatment

C. Clinician should reprimand the parent who is hurting the child before making a report

D. clinician must make a report if they have a reasonable suspicion of abuse

clinician must make a report if they have a reasonable suspicion of abuse

After completing this course, which of the following statement best represents elements that were present in many of the cases discussed:

A. Clinicians put their own needs before the needs of the client and did not consult with other professionals for advice

B. Clinicians did not receive adequate training when they were associates

C. Clients were continually pushing the clinician to do things outside of the scope of practice.

D. Clinicians were expected to know too much information about maintaining a safe practice

Clinicians put their own needs before the needs of the client and did not consult with other professionals for advice

What are the key actions a therapist should take if they are investigated?

A. Take the investigation seriously; Obtain legal counsel; leave the client alone; maintain integrity of records; maintain confidentiality about investigation

B. Take the investigation seriously; Obtain legal counsel; reach out to complainant; maintain integrity of records; maintain confidentiality about investigation

C. Take the investigation seriously; Obtain legal counsel; leave the client alone; amend records as necessary; maintain confidentiality about investigation

D. Take the investigation seriously; Obtain legal counsel; leave the client alone; maintain integrity of records; seek consultation with colleagues

Take the investigation seriously; Obtain legal counsel; leave the client alone; maintain integrity of records; maintain confidentiality about investigation