CECE ethics

Is the process of counseling consistent across counseling professions?

A

Yes, except in the case of acute mental health

B

No, the process of counseling relies on different elements, depending on the profession

C

Yes, the process of counseling has common elements across professions

C. yes, the process of counseling has common elements across professions

What is "freedom of choice" legislation with respect to the counseling profession?

A

Legislation that allows counselor reciprocity

B

Legislation that demands healthcare providers grant access to counselors

C

Legislation that allows counselors equal access to continuing education

b. legislation that demands healthcare providers grant access to counselors

- counselors have not always been treated with equity by third-party payors in terms of being available as a choice for those seeking mental health treatment.

How is a utilization review most likely to impact a counselor's practice?

A

Utilization reviews generally do not impact counselor practice

B

By flagging the counselor for ethical concerns

C

By limiting the amount of sessions a client can have

c. by limiting the amount of sessions a client can have

- Utilization review is a process used by MCOs to evaluate the necessity, efficiency, and appropriateness of the healthcare services provided (i.e., how many sessions)

generally speaking, what should counselors do who suspect their client is a victim of illegal discrimination?

a. provide the client with information

b. consult with the ACA on the individual case

c. help the client make a decision about reporting

c. help the client make a decision about reporting

what is the nature of class bias in counseling, according to the research?

a. there is a specific middle-class bias among counselors

b. there is no bias

c. there is a lower-class bias

a. there is a specific middle-class bias among counselors

- for the most part, counselors are part of middle class SES, when counselors treat clients they no doubt operate out of their own systemic biases

in which of the following scenarios would it be most appropriate to refer an established client to another counselor?

a. when you do not agree with a client's lifestyle choices

b. when a client is from a different cultural background than your own

c. when the client requests an intervention you aren't competent to provide

c. when the client requests an intervention you aren't competent to provide

what is the primary difference between counselors and counseling psychologists?

a. counselors have a master's degree, whereas counseling psychologists must complete a medical degree

b. there is no different between the two, as they both practice counseling

c. counselors have master's degrees, whereas counseling psychologists have doctoral degrees

c. counselors have master's degrees, whereas counseling psychologists have doctoral degrees

should a counselor provide court evaluations for clients they are counseling?

a. not unless there is a further dual relationship

b. it should be avoided when possible

c. there is no ethical issue at hand

b. it should be avoided when possible

which of the following are the two poles of client functioning, according to the wellness model?

a. dysfunctional and self-actualizing

b. illness and wellness

c. pathological and functional

a. dysfunctional and self-actualizing

which of the following is true regarding the content of master's programs possessed by those who acquire counseling credentials?

a. they must obtain a certain number of credits devoted to psychology

b. they can be widely variable

c. they are accredited by counseling organizations

b. they can be widely vairable

how might a collectivist culture background in a client affect the counselor's ethics around self-efficacy and autonomy?

a. it may call for a value adjustment

b. the counselor must change their value system

c. it does not change anything

a. it may call for a value adjustment

- do not change whole value system but do keep the collectivistic cultural background in view and adjust application of ethical practice if needed

what is the proper stance toward egoism in the counseling profession?

a. egoism should be celebrated as a core virtue of the counseling profession

b. Egoism has a certain place in one's own professional development

c. counselors are expected to experience egosim

b. egoism has a certain place in one's own professional development

- refers to value in one's interest in serving others. for most part, client should be considered first according to ethics, though egoism does have a place in the service of clients and in one's own prof development. can instill a sense of pride in one's work, guide one to realistically assess the value of one's own performance, etc

is it appropriate to tell a terminating client details about the therapist they are referred to?

a. no, as this is against the ACA code of ethics

b. yes, in all circumstances

c. yes, in most circumstances

c. yes, in most circumstances

what is the difference in terms of participation between counseling consultation versus counseling supervision?

a. counseling supervision and consultation involve no minimum personnel

b. counseling supervision involves at least two parties, while consultation involves at least three

c. counseling supervision involves at least three parties, while consultation involves at least two

b. counseling supervision involves at least two parties, while consultation involves at least three

- consultation involves client, therapist and consultant as it seeks to improve insight and support on a given client case

which of the following is not a mandate of HIPAA with respect to client documentation?

a. an actual client signature on informed consent documentation

b. keep informed consent documentation for six years

c. provide informed consent documentation at end of episode of care

c. provide informed consent documentation at end of episode of care

which of the following is most accurate definition of counseling theories?

a. explanations of shared attitudes, beliefs, and ways of life

b. explanations about how to best intervene when a person experiences dysfunction

c. explanations of how to give advice

b. b. explanations about how to best intervene when a person experiences dysfunction

which of the following is true regarding credentials for counselors?

a. there is a recent uniform standard established for such credentialing

b. there is wide variability among credentialing requirements

c. there is no variability between counselors

b. there is wide variability among credentialing requirements

which of the following is the most accurate statement about a counselor's duty to warn potential victims when a client makes a threat of harm?

a. only some states have duty to warn

b. california is the only state with a duty to warn due to the Tarasoff case

c. counselors in every state have some level of duty to warn

c. counselors in all states have some level of duty to warn

how is diligence best defined with reference to counseling?

a. being competent to treat clients

b. being honest with clients

c. putting the client first

c. putting the client first

can a generalist counselor function as a marriage and family therapist?

a. no, the disciplines are entirely separate

b. yes, with the proper training

c. yes, in most circumstances

b. yes, with proper training

which of the following is the best way to advocate for the counseling profession?

a. engage in public discourse about the primacy of the counseling profession

b. provide competent services within the scope of practice

c. seek out opportunities to defend the profession against misinformation

b. provide competent services within the scope of practice

what do the following mean in the code of ethics:

- autonomy

- beneficence

- maleficence

- justice

- fidelity

- veracity

autonomy: client has a right to control their own life

beneficence: counselor practices for the good of the client

maleficence: counselor never uses strategies or interventions that could cause harm

justice: all clients are treated fairly

fidelity: counselor keeps promises

veracity: counselor is truthful (i.e., provides accurate diagnosis)

which group was most instrumental in opposing counselor licensure?

a. social workers

b. psychiatrists

c. psychologists

d. MFT

c. psychologists

in the late 1970s, AACD (known as ACA since 1992) began to focus heavily on professional credentialing. This led to the formation of the:

a. CCMHC

b. NBCC

c. CACREP, founded 1981

d. APGA, formed 1952

b. NBCC (if you meet educational requirements and pass an exam, you can use the title NCC, national certified counselor)

- CCMHC is another title (certified clinical mhc)

- CACREP certifies organizations not individuals

- APGA was before AACD which was before ACA

by passing the NCE, a counselor can attain the _____, given via NBCC

a. NCC, a generic certification for counselors

b. NCC, a speciality mental health certification for counselors

c. NCC, a national certification for school counselors

d. MAC, a master addictions counselor

a. NCC, a generic certification for counselors

- you can only secure speciality certificates AFTER securing the NCC credential

- CERTIFIED DOES NOT MEAN LICENSED

- national certifications = national basis expertise, licenses = state-specific

Which choice would most likely violate the counseling ethic or law termed "scope of practice"?

a. A counselor who is using good, accurate empathy with a client, but fails to confront her about her excessive drinking.

b. A licensed counselor who gives the client a DSM diagnostic code for insurance.

c. A counselor who is too active-directive with a client.

d. A counselor who is conducting a strict Freudian psychoanalysis with the client.

d. a counselor who is conducting a strict freudian psychoanalysis with the client

- scope of practice suggests that counselors should only practice using techniques for which they have been trained

Ethical guidelines were first created for the helping professions in 1953 when the American Psychological Association (APA) published their first code of ethics. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) created their code in 1960, and in 1961, the organization that is now ACA adopted ethics for counselors. Ethics always describe

a. laws.

b. universal principles which apply to all helpers.

c. standards of conduct imposed by the ACA and NBCC.

d. all of the above.

c. standards of conduct imposed by the ACA and NBCC

- ethics are not state or federally mandated laws

- ethics set forth by one organization may not be the same as those spelled out by another organization (not universal)

- BUT if your state sends you ethical guidelines that are state statuses after you secure your license, then in this instance your guidelines will be the law

Most ethical dilemmas are related to

a. confidentiality.

b. testing.

c. diagnosis.

d. research.

a. confidentiality

- confidentiality does not end after decease. if a young man commits suicide and mother asks you if he hated her, you must keep this private.

The landmark 1969 case, Tarasoff v. the Board of Regents of the University of California illuminated

a. difficulties caused when a counselor has sex with a client.

b. ethical issues in relation to research.

c. the duty to warn a client in imminent danger.

d. the impact of an impaired professional.

c. the duty to warn a client in imminent danger

- helper's duty to warn a person of serious and foreseeable harm to him or hereslf or to others

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

a. beneficence.

b. justice.

c. nonmaleficence

d. defamation

d. defamation

- You can't be "accused of nonmaleficence" because nonmaleficence is the good thing you're supposed to be doing. You could be accused of violating nonmaleficence, but the question doesn't say "violating." It says "accused of."

State laws can govern title usage and practice, however, they do not govern

a. accreditation.

b. counselor licensure.

c. psychologist licensure.

d. involuntary commitment to state psychiatric facilities.

a. accreditation

- laws regulate licensure, not accreditation

An exception to confidentiality, or what is termed as relative confidentiality, could occur when a client is suicidal. Suicidal warning signs include

a. repeatedly joking about killing one's self.

b. giving away prized possessions after one has been depressed for an extended period of time.

c. a previous suicide attempt and a very detailed suicide plan for the future.

d. all of the above.

d. all of the above

- firearms account for more suicides than all other methods

- suicides more likely to occur in rural areas than highly populated ones

- famous person commits, national average increases

- most occur in spring

- 75-80% clients give warning signs

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.

d. will not be divulged outside the counseling setting without the client's permission

- privileged communication = client PRIVILEGE to reveal

- subpoena = no obligation to reveal

- court order = overrides privileged communication

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.

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

- some states do not have privileged communication for the counselor/client relationship

- does not apply to child abuse, neglect, exploitation, suicide/homocide threats, criminal intentions, clients in dire need of hospitalization

When counselors state that privileged communication is "qualified," they actually mean that

a. the counselor must have certification before privileged communication applies.

b. privileged communication applies only to doctoral-level counselors.

c. exceptions may exist.

d. all of the above.

c. exceptions may exist

- privileged communication is based on licensure status rather than one's graduate degree or certification credentials

You are a counselor in a state that does not legally support privileged communication. You refuse to testify in court. In this situation

a. ACA will back you for doing the ethical thing.

b. NBCC will back you if, and only if, you have attained NCC status.

c. you need not testify if your case was supervised by a licensed psychologist and/or psychiatrist.

d. you could be held in contempt of court.

d. you could be held in contempt of court

- your client in this case does not have the 'privilege' to say no if you are asked to testify

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.

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

- when a client's condition indicates that there is clear and imminent harm, counselor must take reasonable personal action to inform possible authorities

An 11-year-old child comes to your office with a black eye and tells you she can't remember how she received it. You have reason to suspect abuse. You should

a. be empathic and discuss her feelings regarding the matter.

b. drop the matter as it could embarrass her.

c. refer her to a medical doctor of your choice.

d. call the child abuse/neglect hotline.

d. call the child abuse/neglect hotline

- mandated reporter!! must report suspicions of abuse to child protective services

A 39-year-old female secretary you are seeing in your assertiveness training group reveals that she is plotting to shoot her husband. Based on the Tarasoff case you should

a. warn the husband.

b. keep it confidential because an assertiveness training group is decidedly not the same as one-to-one counseling.

c. make a police report in the city in which the husband resides.

d. tell a supervisor, administrator, or board member if one exists, but do not contact her husband.

a. warn the husband

- reveal only what is necessary but do disclose the danger

- c. isn't wrong as an ADDITIONAL step but shouldn't be the only resort.again, d is good but doesn't fulfill duty to protect the victim

- NEW YORK STATE HAS DUTY TO WARN LAW

One impetus for counselor licensing was that

a. Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) wanted to restrict counselors.

b. politicians demanded that counselors be licensed.

c. psychology licensure bodies sought to restrict the practice of counselors so counselors could not receive third-party payments from insurance and managed care companies.

d. insurance companies pushed strongly for it.

c. psychology licensure bodies sought to restrict the practice of counselors so counselors could not receive third-party payments from insurance and managed care companies

- counseling licensure exists because psychology tried to claim exclusive ownership of therapeutic practice. counselors created their own organization

A counselor who possesses 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 three 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 psychologists.

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.

c. in nearly every case, individuals trained in counseling departments would not be allowed to sit for the EPPP an thus could not become licensed psychologists.

- for d --> A doctorate in "counseling" from a "department of counseling" is NOT the same as a doctorate in "counseling psychology" from a "department of psychology."

A woman who is in private practice mentions in her phone book advertisement that she is a licensed counseling psychologist. This generally means that

a. she has a doctorate from a counselor education program.

b. she has a graduate degree from a psychology department.

c. she has a degree from a CACREP program.

d. she has a degree in counseling but is trained in projective testing.

b. she has a graduate degree from a psychology department

- because she is a counseling psychologist (psychology = psychology department)

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

a. the psychologists 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 psychiatrists.

d. in most states psychologists do not need to take an exam.

a. the psychologists are working to eliminate practitioners with less than a doctorate, while counselors are not

APA is to psychologist as ACA is to

a. APGA

b. certified clinical mental health counselor

c. counselor

d. NCC

c. counselor

You have achieved the status of NCC. NBCC, nevertheless, feels you have violated professional ethics. NBCC can do any of the following except:

a. Revoke your state counseling license.

b. Remove your name from the list of NCCs in the U.S.

c. Revoke your NCC status.

d. Note in their newsletter that your NCC status has been revoked.

a. revoke your state counseling license

- NBCC cannot revoke your license bc your license is granted by the state, not by the organization

A counselor who is alcoholic and suffering from burnout could best be described as

a. a mesomorph.

b. an impaired professional.

c. a paraprofessional.

d. a counselor who is wise enough to use his own experiences to help others.

b. an impaired professional

- paraprofessional is someone who doesn't possess the education and experience necessary to secure professional standards

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

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

Virginia was the first state to license counselors in 1976. The APGA (later AACD and now ACA) division that was initially the most instrumental in pushing for licensing was the

a. American College Personnel Association.

b. American School Counselor Association.

c. Association for Specialists in Group Work.

d. American Counselor Education and Supervision.

d. american counselor education and supervision

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

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

- sliding fee scales are ethical and legal. diff insurance companies pay diff amounts for same service, so people could charge differently

One possible negative aspect of counselor licensure is that

a. counselors would receive more third-party payments.

b. counselors might be accepted as providers by insurance companies.

c. counselors may not be as creative during their graduate work and simply take courses aimed at fulfilling the requirements to take the licensure exam.

d. it will take business away from psychologists.

c. counselors may not be as creative during their graduate work and simply take courses aimed at fulfilling the requirements to take the licensure exam

A client wants his records sent to a psychiatrist he is seeing. You should

a. advise against it based on current research.

b. refuse to do so based on ethical guidelines.

c. first have the client sign a dated release of information form that stipulates whether the information can be released once (or for what period of time it can be released) and then you can send the information.

d. call the psychiatrist to discuss the case but explain that state law prohibits a counselor from sending anything in writing about the client.

c. first have the client sign a dated release of information form that stipulates whether the information can be released once (or for what period of time it can be released) and then you can send the information.

- exam hint: if your agency didn't collect information in the record (i.e., info was collected during their time at your agency) then don't send it even with a release form. any info collected from prior to their engagement with your agency, will have to be collected by the other provider at their discretion. not your job to send info that you got from another organization.

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.

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

- reciprocity: when one state or organization accepts the license or credentials of another state/organization

According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (also known as the Buckley Amendment)

a. a parent can see his or her daughter's middle school record.

b. an 18-year-old college student can view his or her own educational record.

c. a and b.

d. a and b are both illegal.

c. a and b

You are a school counselor who wishes to refer a student with an orthopedic disability 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.

a. a CRC

- CRC = certified rehabilitation counselor

- MAC = master addictions counselor

A registry would be

a. a list of licensed psychologists in the state of Illinois

b. a list of CRCs in the United States

c. a and b

d. the registration process for counselor licensure in the state of Missouri

c. a and b

- a registry is a list of providers

A counselor wins the lottery and closes her practice without telling her clients. This counselor's course of action is best described as

a. a multiple relationship.

b. defamation.

c. abandonment.

d. nonmaleficence.

c. abandonment

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

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

A counselor who sports NCC after her name

a. will need not concern herself with continuing education.

b. will need to complete three graduate courses every 10 years.

c. will never receive credit for workshops but should attend for her own personal growth nevertheless.

d. will need a specified amount of continuing education contact hours before she can be recertified, or she will need to take the NCE again.

d. will need a specified amount of continuing education contact hours before she can be recertified, or she will need to take the NCE again

- 100 hours of professional development are needed during a five-year period

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

a. countertransference.

b. ambivalent transference.

c. negative transference.

d. positive transference.

a. countertransference

Your sexual attraction toward your client is hindering the counseling process. You should

a. continue treatment but be honest and empathic with the client.

b. ignore your feelings; after all you are a professional.

c. explain this to the client and then refer the client to another provider.

d. continue to see the client but ignore psychosexual topics.

c. explain this to the client and then refer the client to another provider

- if the attraction had not yet hindered the relationship, supervision would suffice

- prior to the point where the counselor's attraction interfered with the treatment, most experts would advise against discussing the attraction with the client. if discussed, it's for referral purposes because it's hindered the relationship

Computers are now being used in various counseling settings. Counselors speak of Computer Assisted Counseling (CAC) and Computer Managed Counseling (CMC). An office that employs a computer to schedule clients would be an example of

a. CMC.

b. CAC.

c. an ethical violation.

d. the misuse of computers, though the practice is ethical.

a. CMC

- computer helps manage your practice (bookkeeping, scheduling, printing billing statements) it is computer-managed counseling

A college student who suffers from panic disorder types his symptoms and concerns onto a PC screen and then waits for the computer program to respond or question him further. The student engages in this practice for a 40-minute session per week. This is an example of

a. CAC.

b. CMC.

c. computer-managed counseling.

d. b and c.

a. CAC

- computer "assists" in the practice of counseling

A counselor educator has created a research study. He is using students as research subjects. This is commonplace.

a. Student participation can be mandatory as part of a counseling course.

b. Student participation can be mandatory for students who have finished their coursework and are completing a dissertation, thesis, or required scholarly paper.

c. Participation or lack of it cannot impact the student's academic standing.

d. According to ethics the student cannot participate in the research if he or she is not currently enrolled in the counselor educator's class.

c. participation or lack of it cannot impact the student's academic standing

- NBCC's code tells us that if you use clients you may not stipulate that they must participate in order to receive counseling services

Which statement best describes the counseling profession's reaction to computer-assisted counseling and computer-managed counseling?

a. Counselors are very humanistic and seem to dislike CMC and CAC technology.

b. Counselors have welcomed both forms of computer technology with open arms.

c. CMC has been well received since it cuts down time on paperwork, scheduling, and record keeping, but there is a mixed reaction to CAC as some feel it depersonalizes counseling.

d. Counselors dislike CMC but praise CAC highly.

c. CMC has been well received since it cuts down time on paperwork, scheduling, and record keeping, but there is a mixed reaction to CAC as some feel it depersonalizes counseling

You secure a state license and NCC status and open a private practice. Your cousin comes to the agency for supervision to get his state license.

a. You would supervise him just like anybody else.

b. You could supervise him if he is your second cousin, but not your first cousin.

c. Consultation is very important in today's world. You could supervise him if you receive a consultation and the consultant approves of it.

d. It would be unethical to supervise him.

d. it would be unethical to supervise him

A counseling journal article should use documentation (i.e., references) that is based on

a. APA style.

b. MLA style taught in most English composition classes.

c. a or b.

d. none of the above.

a. APA style

- counseling journals conform to the standards of the APA

A 14-year-old male threatens to blow up his parents' garage because he has been grounded. You believe his threat is genuine. You should

a. ask the child if he will sign a release of information so you can talk to his parents.

b. not talk to the parents since this would weaken the bond of trust you have with the client.

c. have the child sign a contract stating he will not blow up the garage but mention nothing to the parents.

d. warn the parents that their property is in danger.

d. warn the parents that their property is in danger

- duty to warn!

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 multiple relationship.

b. an example of informed consent.

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

d. multiple submission.

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

- Best practice is to tell the 16-year-old directly: "I'm concerned about your safety, and because of that I need to involve your parents. Let's talk about how we do that together." if client refuses to tell her parents, you override confidentiality. safety overrides confidentiality always.

NBCC has developed a code of ethics to help counselors behave in a professional manner. The Code warns against stereotyping and discrimination. All of the following would be examples of stereotyping and discrimination except:

a. Advising an African American client to avoid graduate school because you believe the Jensen research regarding African Americans and IQ scores.

b. Advising a client to consider switching his college major based on your clinical judgment as well as the results from an extensive test battery.

c. Advising a female client to avoid taking a management position because you feel women are generally nonassertive.

d. Advising a female client to avoid taking a management position because you feel women managers are generally too aggressive.

b. advising a client to consider switching his college major based on your clinical judgment as well as the results from an extensive test battery

NBCC ethics caution counselors against sexual harassment. An example of an ethics violation in this respect would be

a. a female counselor who tells a male client how sexy his hairy chest looks when he leaves his shirt unbuttoned. The male client blushes and appears uncomfortable.

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 much better and the counselor comments, "You certainly look nice today."

a. a female counselor who tells a male client how sexy his hairy chest looks when he leaves his shirt unbuttoned. The male client blushes and appears uncomfortable

- 1977 study revealed when erotic contact does occur it usually is between male therapists and female clients

You are a well-known cognitive behavior therapist who heads up a private practice in New Jersey. For the next two years you will be in Canada conducting a research project. Your practice has six other counselors. The practice is sending brochures to schools, agencies, and hospitals in an attempt to boost referrals. Your name appears on the front of the brochure as if you are available for referrals. This is

a. totally ethical.

b. unethical.

c. possibly ethical and possibly unethical. Not enough information is given to answer this question.

d. irrelevant since ACA and NBCC ethics do not address private practice.

b. unethical

- ethics suggest that persons who hold leadership roles not allow their names to be used in professional natoices when they are not practicing counseling unless clearly stated in the practice's literature

a colleague of yours who is not a certified counselor behaves in an unethical manner. the ethical thing for you to do is

a. ignore it; unfortunately you have no rights in this situation

b. consult the school the person graduated from

c. attempt to rectify the condition via institutional channels, and if this fails report it to regulatory organizations

d. all of the above are considered ethical

c. attempt to rectify the condition via institutional channels, and if this fails report it to regulatory organizations

- according to NBCC the counselor in question could be any mental health professional

A client asks you (and you have NCC status) 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.

c. unethical as this is a misrepresentation

- only able to provide psychoanalysis if counselor has extensive training via an analytic institute

In your initial disclosure statement it was clearly explained to the client that she must pay her bill in a timely manner. She did not. According to ACA ethical guidelines you can terminate her.

a. This practice was ethical at one time, but now it is not ethical under any circumstances.

b. This practice was not mentioned, but experts have been very critical of this omission.

c. This practice is ethical whether you revealed this to the client in the initial disclosure statement or not.

d. This practice is ethical if you revealed this to the client in the initial disclosure statement.

d. this practice is ethical if you revealed this to the client in the initial disclosure statement

Dr. X recommends to his clients at the agency where he practices that he would rather counsel them in his private practice. Ethically speaking

a. Dr. X has every right to do this.

b. Dr. X is diverting agency clients to his practice and this is unethical.

c. guidelines do not address this practice.

d. NBCC and ACA actually encourage this method for private practitioners who wish to increase the number of clients they can assist.

b. dr. x is diverting agency clients to this practice and this is unethical.

you wish to use an experimental treatment strategy. accroding to NBCC

a. this is a blatant ethics violation

b. you can do it since you are advancing the profession in a scientific manner

c. this could be ethical if you explain this to the client and the client agrees

d. it could be ethical, but since it is experimental you must make an audio or video recording of the interview

c. this could be ethical if you explain this to the client and the client agrees

- counselors will clearly inform clients of the purposes, goals, and techniques utilized

A counselor is counseling an executive secretary. The counselor is writing a book and mentions this to the client. The counselor suggests that as paying for the counseling might be a hardship for the client so the client could type the counselor's manuscript. This is

a. known as bartering and unethical as described here.

b. known as bartering and ethical.

c. known as bartering and is highly recommended for clients with limited income.

d. is known as bartering and ethics encourage this practice whenever possible.

a. known as bartering and unethical as described here

- what if the secretary is doing a poor job or not completing the manuscript? counselor will not be objective.

- ethics allow the practice of bartering if client requests it, a written contract is drafted, it does not result in any harm, and the relationship is not exploitative

Ethics state that a counselor should ________ all clients for group counseling.

a. diagnose

b. test

c. screen

d. a and b

c. screen

- some clients are not suited for group counseling

You are a middle school counselor at a public school. A child is threatening to kill another student and admonishes you to keep it a secret. According to the ethical principle of minimal disclosure the best course of action would be to

a. try to talk the client out of his plan of action but do not violate his confidentiality by telling anyone else.

b. call the major radio and television stations as research clearly indicates that publicity can stop school tragedies.

c. call the police and give them a complete blow-by-blow description of the counseling session.

d. inform the parents of the student in danger, inform the principal, and call the police immediately, discussing only material related to the threat.

d. inform the parents of the student in danger, inform the principal, call the police immediately, discussing only material related to the threat

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 wiser choice.

c. inform the client of this before the counseling begins.

d. never do this as it is unethical in our field.

c. inform the client of this before the counseling begins

You have just made a landmark discovery which you feel could literally change the entire field of counseling and thus you write an article which depicts your findings. The next step would be to

a. submit the article to no more than two journals simultaneously.

b. submit the article to every major APA and ACA journal published.

c. submit the article to one publication at a time despite your conviction that the article must get published.

d. write your state licensing board and request permission for multiple submission privileges.

c. submit the article to one publication at a time despite your conviction that the article must get published

- NBCC code says counselors must submit manuscripts for consideration to one journal at a time

- multiple or duplicate submissions are unethical in relation to journal articles

- exam hint: once article is published, you may not have it republished elsewhere without the express permission of the first publisher

consulting is included in ethical guidelines. consultation can best be defined as

a. a voluntary relationship between a professional helper and a help-needing individual that is generally longer than supervision

b. a brand or paradigm of long-term psyhchotherapy

c. a systematic process based on classical conditioning

d. a voluntary relationship between a professional helper and a help-needing individual, group, or social unit in which the consultant helps define or solve problems related to clients, the client system, or work-related issues

d. a voluntary relationship between a professional helper and a help-needing individual, group, or social unit in which the consultant helps define or solve problems related to clients, the client system, or work-related issues

- in most instances, consultation services do not go on as long as supervision services

NBCC's Code of Ethics describes ethical issues related to private practice. Which of these situations is clearly an ethics violation?

a. A private practitioner who advertises in the Yellow Pages.

b. A private practitioner who advertises in a daily newspaper.

c. A counselor who terminates a professional relationship with a client because she feels it is no longer productive for her client. She refers the client to another helper.

d. An executive director of a private practice who has his name listed on the practice's website as a counseling provider despite the fact that he is out of the country and is engaged in a research project for the next two years.

d. an executive director of a private practice who has his name listed on the practice's website as a counseling provider despite the fact that he is out of the country and is engaged in a research project for the next two years

- counselors in executive leadership roles should not allow their names to be used in professional notices at times when they are not performing counseling

Nosology refers to a system of classification. Name the nosological system(s) utilized by professional counselors who diagnose clients.no

DSM, and ICD

- some third party payers have begun asking for ICD (international classification of disease) codes

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) was created by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The Manual of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries, and Causes of Death (ICD) was created by the World Health Organization (WHO). Which counselor would most likely be required to utilize one of these guides to diagnose a client?

a. a counselor who wishes to secure insurance (i.e., third-party) payments

b. a school counselor discussing a child with a teacher

c. a multicultural counselor who is seeing a client who grew up in another ocuntry

d. a counselor leading a T-group

a. a counselor who wishes to secure insurance payments

Traditionally ______________ counseling has caused the most ethical concerns.

a. behavioral

b. person-centered

c. humanistic

d. reality therapy

a. behavioral

- concern that behavior therapists can control, manipulate and shape behavior

- is it ethical to use aversive conditioning such as electrical shocks, drugs, or paralysis to eliminate smoking, alcoholism or gambling?

insurance payments are also called

a. mandated payments

b. third-party payments

c. optional payments

d. psychometric payments

b. third-party payments

the dsm no longer uses multiaxial classification system or GAF scale. diagnostic code have ____ digits

a. four or five

b. two

c. nine

d. 12

a. four or five

- 300.3 OCD, 305.50 opioid use disorder

Identify the DSM code.

a. 29622

b. 29.622

c. 296.99

d. 2962.2

c. 296.99

- the decimal point occurs after the third digit

A counselor educator is giving a seminar on the DSM-5. She gives the students a handout and it lists hoarding disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder as both having the same 300.3 code. This most likely explanation is:

a. that this could be correct since two diagnoses can share a single code.

b. it is a typo on the handout.

c. this is a trick question since the counselor educator must be quoting an ICD code.

d. she is a researcher and thus does not realize all disorders have unique codes.

a. that this could be correct since two diagnoses can share a single code

- this is why it is imperative that you list the name of the condition in the client's chart

During a counseling session your client tells you in great detail how he robbed a convenience store six months ago. He got away with a huge sum of money and shot the owner. His descriptions are extremely specific and you believe every word he says. In reality, you are very familiar with the case because the police never solved it and it has been all over the radio and television stations in your town. There is even a huge reward to anybody who can help law enforcement agencies solve the case. Ethically, you should

a. call the police and tell them everything you know.

b. urge the client to call the police and turn himself in.

c. call the anonymous crime tips line since as a counselor you would not be permitted to reveal your true identity.

d. just keep it confidential.

d. just keep it confidential

- Tarasoff case doesn't apply here because it all happened in the past and there's no suspicion that he will harm himself or others

All of the conditions below are V code diagnoses except:

a. Acculturation problem.

b. Occupational problem.

c. Post-traumatic stress disorder.

d. Academic problem.

c. post-traumatic stress disorder

- v code is a condition or problem that is a focus of clinical attention but does not meet criteria for a diagnosis

Formal diagnosis, also known as nosology, is most closely related to the ________ model.

a. behavioral

b. medical

c. cognitive-behavioral

d. rational-emotive behavior therapy

b. medical model

- nosology is a system of classification (i.e., DSM).

- medical/psychological model begins with a formal label/diagnosis of the problem

- rational-emotive behavior therapists are generally more interested in the client's self-talk than in DSM

Which treatment match-up is incorrect?

a. Vivitrol for alcoholism.

b. Lithium for bipolar disorder.

c. Suboxone for opiod dependence.

d. Narcan for schizophrenia.

d. narcan for schizophrenia

- narcan has no side effects and only works for opioid overdose as it impacts the same part of the brain and can reverse OD

The type of mental health service provided to the client is coded via ________ and is generally required for insurance payments.

a. the DSM

b. the ICD

c. the AMA's Current Procedural Terminology (e.g., CPT 90844)

d. the Psychiatric Dictionary

c. the AMA's Current Procedural Terminology (e.g., CPT 90844)

- to accept insurance payments you will need to specify a CPT code in addition to ICD code. CPT specifies the exact nature of the treatment being utilized to help your client

you refer a client to dr. smith. ethically, dr. smith

a. may not pay you a referral fee for sending her the client

b. may pay you a referral fee if you have a written contract with her

c. may pay you a referral fee if she has expertise in the client's area of concern and you don't and the client gives you written permission

d. can pay you a referral fee if, and only if, she is a psychiatrist

a. may not pay you a referral fee for sending her the client

- counselors cannot ethically accept referral fees (you then have an incentive to send a client to that provider regardless of whether the provider is the best fit for them)