Professional Practice and Ethics

d

When does the counselor inform the client of the purposes, goals, techniques, procedures, limitations, potential risks and benefits of the counseling process?

a. At the beginning of the counseling relationship

b. Every other session

c. Whenever the client asks

d. Before counseling begins and any time conditions change or new issues are discovered

c

____________ is the process of gaining insight into who you are.

a. Contemplation

b. Empathy

c. Self-Awareness

d. Active Listening

b

The helping process in which a counselor works with one or more professionals:

a. Counter-transference

b. Consultation

c. Crystallization

d. Confrontation

b

A counselor is working with a client who is diagnosed with depression. In order to assess the client’s competency to provide informed consent, the counselor should consider all of the following except:

a. If the client can express choice.

b. The opinion of the client’s spouse.

c. Whether the client’s response to information is rational.

d. The client’s ability to understand the information being presented.

d

Mary is a counselor and has received a referral to work with an inmate who has been recently released from prison. Mary says to her co-worker, “I don’t know why they assigned him to me, he’s only going to re-offend and end up back in jail.” Mary’s attitude reflects:

a. Prejudice

b. Cultural insensitivity

c. Ethnocentrism

d. Lack of Objectivity

d

Your patient enters your session excited about the New Age therapy you tried last session. She had brought in an article, and because of her enthusiasm and the fact that it did not require any new training, you had agreed to give it a try. She asks you to continue during this session, but you have done your homework: it’s been proven ineffective and, in a select few clients, the condition was slightly worsened. You validate your patient, noting how glad you are that she’s excited to try something new. Then you tell her that, unfortunately, you won’t be able to continue with these types of treatments. With this act, you are expressing:

a. Anti-Consumerism

b. Beneficence

c. Exploitation

d. Non-Malfeasance

b

There is an office policy which states that clients are to leave their pets at home. For which person must you make an exception?

a. A client who informs you their cat is a therapy service animal.

b. A client who uses a service dog because of PTSD.

c. A client who has a pet who suffers from separation anxiety.

d. A client whose pets are not getting along with each other, so he asks to bring one along.

a

Which of the following can pose a hindrance to termination?

a. Attachment and dependency

b. Addiction and denial

c. Anger and confrontation

d. Personalization and catastrophizing

c

A male counselor takes extra measures to be self-aware when working with female clients in therapy so that he does not apply inappropriate sx-role stereotypes. This counselor is conscious about practicing:

a. Cognitive Behavior Therapy

b. Person-Centered Therapy

c. Gender-fair Therapy

d. Multi-cultural Therapy

c

Which of the following best demonstrates attending to group process?

a. Sarah, you are shaking your leg

b. Jessica, you said you had a solution. Can you share it?

c. Pamela, you just started picking your fingers when Samuel started talking

d. I’m noticing the time and group is over

b

Generally speaking, group size with kids in relation to adult groups should be:

a. Larger

b. Smaller

c. About the same

a

Of the following, the most effective duration for a group is:

a. Ninety minutes

b. Forty-five minutes

c. Three hours

d. Half a day

a

You have just launched a successful therapy group and want to promote it to engage new clients so they, too, can benefit. You have asked your current therapy clients to offer an anonymous testimonial, telling others how useful it has been. From an ethical standpoint, this is

_____________.

a. prohibited under any circumstances

b. allowed since it is a successful group that would benefit future clients that may join

c. allowed, only if they sign a voluntary testimonial release

d. prohibited unless they sign a voluntary testimonial release, use a pseudo-name and do not provide a photo

a

You are a licensed professional counselor with a Master’s degree in Counseling and a doctorate (PhD) in Technology and Operations Management. On your appointment cards for clients, the most appropriate way to list yourself is:

a. Jane Doe, MA, LPC

b. Dr. Jane Doe, LPC

c. Jane Doe, PhD

d. Dr. Jane Doe, PhD, LPC

d

A client you have been seeing weekly for severe depression loses his job and his insurance. He tells you that he would like to keep seeing you but can only afford to come once a month. Ethically, the best choice is to:

a. Tell him to take a three-week break so you can explore referrals and fee structures

b. Tell him he should continue to see you every week and ask him use his credit card

c. See you save four hours a month for pro bono work, and the other three are taken, see him for free on a once-monthly basis for as long as he’s unemployed so he won’t have to go elsewhere

d. Explore referrals to a healthcare agency that sees patients on a sliding scale

d

Informed consent is the process of offering information about the rights and responsibilities of clients and the counselor so that clients can decide whether or not to enter or continue treatment. Which of the following is the best way to acquire informed consent?

a. Put it all in writing and have the patient read and sign it.

b. Hand clients a pamphlet with the information so that they can take it and refer to it.

c. Post it on your website so that it remains current and available for patients.

d. Review it verbally and in writing with patients.

b

Which of the following does NOT need to be included in the informed consent process?

a. Your credentials and experience

b. Your website address

c. The risks of counseling

d. The presence of a treatment team and/or supervisor in their care

c

Your client self-pays and has forgotten his payment for the last three sessions, despite reminding and request. He has always paid and he has denied change in financial circumstances when you have asked him about it. In terms of ethics, you:

a. Must continue to see him, even if without payment, to avoid abandonment.

b. Must continue to see him if he pays something, even if a small amount.

c. Can terminate his treatment with appropriate referral, until he pays you.

d. Should reduce your fee for the past due amounts and move forward

c

You screen a new client for your group. In terms of confidentiality, you should tell her:

a. That if she sees another client out in public, it’s ok to acknowledge them and where they know each other since she’s likely told whomever she’s with.

b. That confidentiality in the group can be guaranteed, not matter what.

c. That confidentiality is an expectation but cannot be guaranteed.

d. That telling her spouse what happens in group is ok as long as he agrees not to tell anyone.

a

Which of the following does not need to be included in the informed consent process?

a. Other conventional healthcare services provided that are available to them

b. How to reach you in the event of an emergency

c. The use of collections agencies

d. The benefits of counseling

d

You have been working with a thirty-year-old male who has been experiencing generalized anxiety and depression. He has a history of alcohol abuse, and had been discharged 2 months ago, 90 days sober. Over the past few weeks, his drinking has progressed. You have increased his care to twice weekly, to no avail. Although you have recommended AA and last week suggested dual diagnosis intensive outpatient, he has not gone and both his drinking and mood have worsened. You do not think you have been helping him. From an ethical standpoint you:

a. Need to continue seeing him. At least he will be getting some treatment.

b. Need to bump him up to three times weekly in hopes that will help.

c. Should discharge him. He is going to have to hit rock bottom in order to help him.

d. Should make a formal referral to an appropriate level of care and if he declines, do not continue to see him.

c

An ex-client of yours stops in to see you. Three years ago, he had opted to see another counselor when his insurance had changed. Shortly after saying hello and stating he was up the street seeing his therapist, he asks you on a date. What should you do?

a. You can go out with this client because it is beyond the two-year time limit.

b. You can never go out with this client, because dating an ex-client is prohibited forever.

c. You cannot go out with this client because you have not yet reached the appropriate timeframe from the end of his therapy that allows you to date him.

d. You can go out with this client, but you cannot have sex with him because it is only the act of having sex that violates the code of ethics

c

When considering whether or not to accept a gift from a client, which of the following is not a consideration?

a. he amount of the gift

b. The client’s motivation for giving the gift

c. The type of gift (practical vs. impractical)

d. The counselor’s motivation for wanting to accept or decline a gift

b

When should you inform clients of the exceptions to confidentiality?

a. When issues arise that require making an exception

b. During their first session

c. During their second session since clients remember so little when they are overwhelmed, as they are during their first session

d. Informing them verbally is not necessary since they are given a HIPAA pamphlet/page

d

What should you do when you get a subpoena from the court for a client’s records?

a. Surrender them immediately and without consultation to the client to avoid legal repercussion.

b. You can choose not to send them given the privileged nature of your relationship with the client.

c. You must not tell the client about any subpoenas because of the Patriot Act.

d. You should contact the client to acquire authorization for release of information to take measures to disclose as little information as possible.

a

Which of the following is true about offering information to insurance companies for payment?

a. It requires permission from clients.

b. It is a given when a client enters treatment and does not require specific consent.

c. It Is inherent when clients sign up for their insurance policy and is a given.

d. It is not required as long as the only information that is disclosed is their diagnosis.

d

You find great space for rent, with four offices you can share with your colleagues. When you look up, you notice that it has beautifully-architectured high ceilings with walls that reach half way up to the ceiling partitioning the offices. The doors are also louvered. Is this location appropriate for counseling?

a. It is appropriate space for conducting counseling.

b. It is appropriate as long as all of the offices aren’t full.

c. It is appropriate as long as the only person that hears the session (aside from the counselor and client) is the receptionist.

d. It is inappropriate

a

In terms of records, counselors ___________.

a. have a right to withhold records if viewing them would be potentially detrimental to the client’s well-being

b. must give them to clients, no exceptions; it’s their right to have them

c. cannot give them to clients, but can sit and review them with clients

d. must withhold records at all cost; records are the property of the counselor

c

You had a session today, and you just can’t stop thinking about it. You realize there is an ethical question. Your best action is:

a. To call the client and ask them what they think about the ethical dilemma

b. To mull it over, and then sleep on it; time and continued analysis are the best solutions

c. Call a colleague and consult with them about the case

d. Ask the office staff their opinion

b

Your friend and colleague has been looking exhausted for the past month. She has been late 90 percent of the past two weeks, and you hear her crying in the bathroom stall. Which of the following is your ethical responsibility?

a. Report her to the appropriate licensing board since she is impaired.

b. Make a concerted effort to talk to her and develop a plan and strategy for her well-being.

c. Call all of her clients and tell them not to she’s canceling her appointments, telling them that she’s in no shape to be seeing clients.

d. Let it alone. What’s happening with her is confidential and she’ll approach you if she needs.

a

You have just opened your private practice, and were considering quitting your full-time job, but decided to stay because you figure you could steadily transition one or two clients a month from your day job to your private practice and build it. This is:

a. Unethical under any circumstances

b. Ethical as long as you give the clients a choice

c. Ethical; you work hard and the clients are no one’s “property”

Questionable. Recruiting from your job is ok as long as it does not financially hurt the institution from which you’re recruiting

c

You are introduced to speak to an audience at a convention. The person who introduced you referred to you as “Dr.___________.” What should you do?

a. Do nothing. It is a minor issue that can be overlooked.

b. Pull him aside and correct the error. Ask him to fix it for next year’s speech so it’s correct.

c. Correct him publicly in front of the audience when you begin to speak.

d. Call yourself “Dr.” when you speak. This is a once in a lifetime chance.

a

You sell some self-help items in your waiting room, some of which you have developed. This is:

a. Acceptable as long as you do not misuse your influence on clients who are vulnerable.

b. Not acceptable under any circumstances.

c. Acceptable, and with active promotion. If these products will help, why wouldn’t you endorse them?

d. Acceptable, with your active promotion, as long as they were products you created (i.e. CDs, books, etc), and not commercial products

c

You are supervising a wonderful young counselor and your supervision will soon be ending in the summer. You would like to ask her out. Which of the following accurately states the ethical guide in this matter?

a. You can have a romantic relationship with her since it’s so close to the end of your supervision time.

b. You can have a romantic relationship with her as long as you don’t have sex.

c. You cannot have a romantic relationship with her.

d. You cannot have a romantic relationship with her unless she consents and puts it in writing.

b

Which of the following is true in terms of supervisees and informed consent?

a. It doesn’t apply.

b. It applies in the same way that it applies to informed consent with clients.

c. It applies only insofar as supervisees ask; what they as we must tell.

d. It doesn’t apply except with supervisees with some level of impairment; we must make them aware of their deficits through informed consent.

b

A professor asks one of his counseling students to go out for a drink after class. Which of the following accurately states the ethical guide in this matter?

a. This is fine in any circumstance; it’s a student-teacher relationship, not a therapist-client one.

b. This is discouraged and unethical.

c. This is fine as long as you only have two drinks.

d. This is illegal.

c

You are a counselor educator of a practicum course that employs counselors in a wellness center. Students have enjoyed their experiences and you have received an offer for a series of free massages for heading the experience. Which of the following accurately states the ethical guide in this matter?

a. You can accept them since you have no direct patient involvement.

b. You can accept them only after the practicum has ended.

c. You cannot accept them under any circumstances.

d. You can accept them only if your students know and agree.

d

If a counselor believes a colleague is acting unprofessionally, what action should be taken

a. Report them immediately to the appropriate board.

b. Tell her clients so she doesn’t hurt them.

c. Call the local police and inquire.

d. Approach the colleague and attempt to resolve it informally.

c

You have been a research counselor studying the effect that dialectical behavioral therapy has on adults with substance abuse diagnoses. You have been providing individual skills training sessions and you are three quarters of the way through the experiment. Your client has responded favorably. Your client informs you that he no longer wants to participate in the study and he informs you that this will be his last session. He says that nothing is wrong; he just cannot continue to commit to the twice-weekly sessions he has been attending. What are the client’s rights in such a research project?

a. He cannot quit the study because he consented to it and quitting would skew the study results.

b. You can reduce his skills training sessions to once-weekly so as to preserve the data thus far in the study.

c. He can quit the study and you should not discourage him from doing so.

d. He can quit the study, but only after he’s completed 90 percent of it, so he has a few more weeks to go.

a

You are not conducting the research, but you are randomly assigning participants to either a placebo or a treatment group. You come across a study participant who used to be one of your outpatient clients. She had a very sad story and a lot of family stressors as an adolescent. After considering what group to assign her to, what should you do?

a. Assign her randomly just like any other participant.

b. Assign her the treatment group because you want what’s best for her, the client.

c. Assign her the treatment group but make a note of it so that any impact of this can be included in the research analysis.

d. Assign her randomly but ask her to be bumped into the treatment group should one of the treatment group participants drop out.

d

You are finally done with a research manuscript and are ecstatic to be submitting it for publication. Which of the following accurately states the ethical guide in this matter?

a. Simultaneous submissions to various publications are encouraged in order to get the results out as quickly as possible.

b. Simultaneous submission is permissible, as long as you note this in the proposal to each.

c. Simultaneous submissions are not permissible unless you have titled the manuscript differently.

d. Simultaneous submissions are not permissible.

c

The ultimate responsibility for ethical research practice lies with whom?

a, The subjects/participants; they need to keep the research counselors apprised of any unethical happenings.

b. The individual research counselors conducting the study.

c. The principal investigator of the study.

d. The agency affiliated with the research study.

c

You have been working as a counselor in a research study outlining the effect of medications and/or cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of OCD. One of your participants had an adverse reaction to one of the antidepressants used in the study—she attempted suicide. You have been delegated the job of writing up the research results. The principal investigator has told you to withhold that result from the research write up because it was an isolated incident. Which of the following accurately states the ethical guide in this matter?

a. The principal researcher is right. One incident does not suggest a pattern and therefore should not be included.

b. That this will undermine all of the positive results from the study and, for the betterment of the field, exclude this so that readers don’t disregard the net positive outcome of the experiment.

c. You must record and explain it in the write up.

d. You must record it at some level in the report, but you can leave it as a number/statistic and need not address it in the text.

c

As a counselor educator, you have heard from other students and a practicum site supervisor that a particular student continues to have difficulty with boundaries with clients. Although she has not done anything rash like give out her personal contact information, you are concerned about this issue. This student’s grades are also below average. Which of the following accurately states the ethical guide in this matter?

a. Tell the student that she cannot continue in the program. You cannot afford potential legal and ethical repercussions. Besides, she is putting clients at risk.

b. Continue to assess the situation by keeping close tabs on what the student is doing through other students and the practicum coordinator.

c. Pull the student from the practicum and develop a remediation plan with the assistance of colleagues with whom you consult.

d. Let it go for now, with the understanding that healthy boundaries take time to understand and develop.

a

A 16-year-old client’s mother calls and expresses concern and then requests that you tell her what her daughter has been saying in sessions. Which of the following is the best response?

a. “Mrs. Smith, thank you for your concern. I understand you mean the best, but I am not at liberty to discuss that with you without written authorization from your daughter.”

b. “Mrs. Smith, I very much appreciate your active involvement and desire to help. Susie has been talking a lot about ____________...”

c. “Mrs. Smith, I cannot tell you anything except that which directly involves you. To that end, Susie has been saying______________...”

d. “Mrs. Smith, I’m sorry, I can’t answer that question.”

e

Cultural encapsulation assumes that reality is defined by one set of cultural assumptions that are insensitive to cultural variation among individuals. One of the areas in need of attention in this area is:

a. Counseling props

b. Counselor documentation styles

c. Tests and measures used by counselors

d. Use of the DSM-V

e. Both c and d

d

A client, who has recently sought out therapy for marital stress due to his wife finding out that he had been having an extramarital affair, enters the office with his wife. He had not told you previously that he would include her in sessions. He asks to have her join the session. She starts the session by asking you what your client has told you about him still seeing the other woman. Which of the following accurately states the ethical guide in this matter?

a. Answer her that he said he had not been seeing her for some time, because this is true. The client just gave you permission to answer, and it will help them continue to heal.

b. Refuse to answer the question and ask the clients’ wife to leave.

c. Answer the question only after checking with your client whether he would like you to answer. He had been telling you he hadn’t been seeing her.

d. Refuse to answer the question, explain why, and process trust issues between them.

c

You are an independent counselor in private practice and you are considering joining Facebook. Is it ethical for you to have a Facebook page for your counseling practice and to have one for your personal use?

a. Yes, it is ethical for both personal and business use

b. Yes, it is ethical for business use only

c. Yes, it is ethical for both as long as they are maintained separately.

d. No, it is not ethical for counselors to use social media

d

When certain actions lead to a progressive deterioration of ethical behavior, one might be experiencing:

a. the eroded boundary syndrome.

b. a lapse in judgment.

c. an ethical downturn.

d. the slippery slope phenomenon.

d

Depending on state law, informed consent of parents or guardians may not be legally required when a minor is seeking counseling for:

a. dangerous drugs or narcotics.

b. sexually transmitted diseases.

c. pregnancy and birth control.

d. All of the above

c

_____________________ bars the disclosure of confidential communications in a legal proceeding.

a. Confidentiality

b. Privacy

c. A privilege

d. Informed consent

b

There are no risks to group therapy.

a. True

b. False

a

The ethical responsibility of mental-health professionals to safeguard clients from unauthorized disclosures of information given in the therapeutic relationship:

a. confidentiality

b. privileged

c. privacy

d. informed consent

b

To require standardization among healthcare providers and to give patients more access and control over their health information, Congress passed _______________________.

a. The Healthcare Reform Act

b. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

c. The Congressional Healthcare Accountability Act

d. The Mental Health Parity Act

b

Which of the following was the first case to hold that the confidential character of patient- psychotherapist communications must yield to the extent to which disclosure is essential to avert danger to others?

a. Bradley Center v. Wessner

b. Tarasoff v. The Regents of the University of California

c. Hedlund vs. Superior Court of Orange County

d. Jablonski by Pahls v. United States

a

In this case, a hospital released a patient for a weekend pass even though he threatened to kill his wife while he was out. After her death, the wife’s family sued the hospital, and the duty to warn was extended to include the duty to protect an individual identified in a homicidal ideation.

a. Bradley Center v. Wessner

b. Tarasoff v. The Regents of the University of California

c. Hedlund vs. Superior Court of Orange County

d. Jablonski by Pahls v. United States

d

Which of the following cases addressed the need of mental health providers to review prior records for dangerousness before making a determination for commitment?

a. Bradley Center v. Wessner

b. Tarasoff v. The Regents of the University of California

c. Hedlund vs. Superior Court of Orange County

d. Jablonski by Pahls v. United States

c

Which of the following is not an ethical concern when running groups?

a. Confidentiality

b. Dual relationships

c. Having refreshments

d. Coercion of members

c

Which of the following cases determined that the duty to warn extended not just to the named victim but to others who might also be near the intended victim and thus, in danger?

a. Bradley Center v. Wessner

b. Tarasoff v. The Regents of the University of California

c. Hedlund vs. Superior Court of Orange County

d. Jablonski by Pahls v. United States

d

___________ is a level of ethical functioning that is characterized by compliance with the law along the lines of “musts” and “must nots.”

a. Basic ethics

b. Aspirational ethics

c. Principle ethics

d. Mandatory ethics

c

What is a level of ethical functioning that is characterized by an attempt to solve a specific ethical dilemma?

a. Basic ethics

b. Aspirational ethics

c. Principle ethics

d. Mandatory ethics

a

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate step in preparing the group for termination?

a. Not giving members an opportunity to express their feelings about the ending of the group to protect them from emotional distress.

b. Providing members with suggestions on how to apply what they have learned in groups to their real lives.

c. Preparing group members for the realities of the problems they may face outside as they leave the group.

d. Providing members with referrals to other counseling, therapy and community services.

a

The fundamental principle of ethical behavior that is known as “fostering the right to control the direction of one’s life” is:

a. Autonomy

b. Beneficence

c. Fidelity

d. Veracity

b

What is the fundamental principle of ethical behavior that is known as “working for the good of the individual and society by promoting mental health and well-being”?

a. Autonomy

b. Beneficence

c. Fidelity

d. Veracity

d

What is the fundamental principle of ethical behavior that is known as “dealing truthfully with individuals with whom counselors come into professional contact”?

a. Autonomy

b. Beneficence

c. Fidelity

d. Veracity

c

Which of the following is not a purpose of the ACA code of ethics?

a. To provide a set of ethical obligations to ACA members

b. To provide a basis for processing inquiries and ethics complaints

c. To provide a framework for states to determine which counselors should be removed from practice

d. To support the mission of the ACA

d

Jolene has been asked by her supervisor to sign off on some notes for a colleague who is out of the office on a month long vacation. She completed her notes, but did not sign them, and the office manager cannot submit them for billing, so the agency cannot get paid. Jolene is uncomfortable with the idea and believes this to be an ethical dilemma. Now that she has identified the problem, which of the following steps in making an ethical decision, should Jolene do next?

a. Determine the consequences of various options.

b. Consider possible and probable courses of action.

c. Obtain consultation.

d. Review the ethical guidelines.

c

The special protections for confidentiality of alcohol and drug patients is provided for under which of the following statutes or rules?

a. HIPAA

b. 42 CFR, Part I

c. 42 CFR, Part II

d. Healthcare Reform

d

Counselor supervisors have the following forms of liability:

a. Vicarious liability

b. Personal liability

c. Direct liability

d. Both a and c

c

The Code of Ethics for counselors is established and governed by the ____________.

a. American Psychological Association

b. state where each counselor practices

c. American Counseling Association

d. American Mental Health Counselors Association

b

Jessica practices from a spiritual and Christian counseling perspective. She works largely with adolescent girls. In her session with Sylvia today, Sylvia revealed that she is pregnant and is considering an abortion. She asks Jessica what her options are. Jessica does not personally support abortion and is uncomfortable discussing it with Sylvia, since she believes that Sylvia should have her baby. What is the best option from the choices below?

a. Jessica should immediately refer Sylvia to a new counselor before her next scheduled appointment.

b. Jessica should consult with her supervisor about her dilemma and her ability to continue to work with Sylvia.

c. At Sylvia’s next session, Jessica should tell Sylvia that she is not objective when it comes to abortion and that in Sylvia’s best interest, she is referring her to another counselor to assist in this decision.

d. At Sylvia’s next session, Jessica should tell Sylvia that Jessica wants her to keep the baby, and because of that, Jessica is referring Sylvia to a new counselor.

a

Professional Counselors are ____________________________.

a. trained at the master’s level

b. identical to Life Coaches

c. self-taught

d. students in training

c

Many states allow licensed professional counselors to ______________________.

a. practice medicine and write prescriptions

b. teach in higher education

c. diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders

d. practice the art of transcendental meditation

b

Andrea wants to grow her private practice. Her business cards and advertisements state that she is a “Licensed Counseling Psychologist.” What can be assumed about Andrea’s professional status?

a. She has graduated from a Master Level Counseling Program.

b. She holds an earned Doctorate Degree in Counseling Psychology.

c. The school she graduated from was CACREP accredited.

d. She is a trained Psychoanalyst.

d

CACREP stands for:

a. Counseling Association for Counseling Research Education and Preparation

b. Counseling Association for Culturally Related Ethical Practice

c. Council for Accreditation of Counseling Research in Ethical Practice

d. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

b

What is the difference between a professional counselor and a social worker?

a. Professional counselors focus on social problems and environmental causes.

b. Social workers are concerned with social problems and the psychological effects.

c. Professional counselors are trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches.

d. Social workers and professional counselors are identical professions.

c

NBCC stands for:

a. The National Board for Certified Coaches

b. The National Board for Career Counselor

c. The National Board for Certified Counselors

d. The National Board for Correctional Counselors

d

ACA stands for:

a. American Counselor Associates

b. Associated Counselors of America

c. American Coaches Association

d. American Counseling Association

c

The CEO of a Health Clinic addresses the Behavioral Health Department reminding the counseling staff that “As employees, everyone’s main priority should be the successful operation of the clinic.” How might this statement pose an ethical conflict for counselors?

a. It may force counselors into dual roles.

b. It can lead to burnout for the counselor.

c. The welfare of a client is always the number one priority of the counselor.

d. Having to consider making money could damage a counselor’s morale.

b

Counselor Code of Ethics are:

a. For counselors to read on a regular basis.

b. The guidelines and ethical standards of counselor behavior.

c. The state laws that govern private practice.

d. The Federal guidelines for mental health professionals.

a

A counselor has a 6 year old boy in the first grade as a client. The boy’s mother states that the school says her son’s behavior is a problem and repeatedly suspends him from school. The mother states that, “At home, he is very well behaved.” In the session, the child complains that, “The teacher yells a lot…Everybody is making noise… and the boy who sits next to me is always picking on me! I can’t concentrate to do my work and it makes me mad!” The counselor gets permission from the mother and takes time off during the day to “drop-in” unannounced to observe the child’s classroom. The counselor witnesses exactly everything the child has disclosed about his classroom environment. This counselor’s behavior reflects:

a. Beneficence

b. Nonmaleficence

c. Justice

d. Autonomy

c

What does nonmaleficence mean?

a. Make your own decisions.

b. Always tell the truth.

c. Do no harm.

d. Follow the law.

d

A career counselor is working with a high school student who states that all she wants to do is “earn her CNA license and find a job.” The career counselor sees a lot of potential in this student and believes she could have a much more fulfilling career in the health field as a nurse or something else if she commits to going to college. This counselor is imposing on the client’s right to:

a. Self-Disclosure

b. Ego development

c. Self-Actualization

d. Self-Determination

b

A Military Family Life Counselor is attending a military banquet. After having several drinks, a commanding officer walks by and the counselor publicly blurts out in front of other officers, “I wonder if his wife knows that he is having an affair with his secretary?” This can be considered:

a. Nonmaleficence

b. Defamation

c. Gossip

d. Libel

b

A client is interested in EMDR but the counselor who is vaguely familiar with EMDR has only been trained in CBT. In an attempt to accommodate the client, the counselor attempts to incorporate a little EMDR techniques into the counseling sessions. This counselor’s behavior is not ____________.

a. a problem for the client

b. reflective of operating within the scope of practice

c. a traditional approach and shows creativity

d. unethical and reflects ethical standards

a

Which of the following results with the act of informing a client of all fees for services before counseling takes place?

a. Informed consent

b. Fulfillment of the Duty to Warn

c. Self-Determination

d. Self-Efficacy

d

A professor refers a student to counseling services and bumps into the counselor in the hallway. The professor asks the counselor, “So what was that student’s problem?” How should the counselor respond?

a. “Wow! That student sure had a lot of issues!”

b. “They talked about the trouble they are having in your class.”

c. “Not much! He only stayed for five minutes!”

d. “Sorry...I can’t speak to that.”

c

A client shares that he has been embezzling money from his job to feed a drug habit. This concerns the counselor and she wonders if she should contact the proper authorities. What ethical standard should the counselor be taking into consideration?

a. Duty to warn

b. Informed Consent

c. Privileged Communication

d. Dual Relationship

d

During a counseling session, a college student discloses that he is having trouble moving on from a break up and that he plans to “stab his girlfriend the first chance he gets!” This case presents as:

a. Privileged communication

b. Fantasy talk

c. Confidentiality

d. Duty to Warn

c

Jimmy is a licensed professional counselor and is also a personal fitness trainer. Jimmy teaches a fitness class at the local gym. After class one the students approaches him and says, “I hear you are also a therapist….I was wondering would you see me as a client because I have been feeling a little depressed lately.” What ethical dilemma is Jimmy facing?

a. Confidentiality

b. Duty to Warn

c. Dual Relationship

d. Informed Consent

a

A counselor, with a heavy case load, gets engaged and quits her job as a counselor giving only one week notice. What ethical dilemma does this case present?

a. The counselor may abandon her clients.

b. The client will move on and work with other counselors.

c. The counselor’s co-workers will experience burnout from the additions to their caseloads.

d. The agency will lose money for not being able to bill clients for services.

a

A counselor meets with a client for the first time. After realizing that the client is transgender he tells the client, “I don’t think I can work with you unless you can come in here dressed like a real man.” According to the ACA Standards of Practice which standard is the counselor violating?

a. Personal Values

b. Counseling Plans

c. Type of Information Needed

d. Personal Virtual Relationships with Current Clients

b

A counselor is referring a client over to another agency for services. The counselor faxes over client’s file after business hours. What is the ethical dilemma?

a. Misdiagnosis

b. Confidentiality

c. Informed Consent

d. There is no ethical dilemma.

c

Maria is a licensed professional counselor who received a wonderful job offer located in another state. Maria is contemplating accepting the job offer but is concerned about the status of her current counselor certification and state license if she chooses to relocate to another state. What would happen to her counseling certification and license if she chooses to relocate?

a. She would have to find employment that is not counseling related.

b. She may have to obtain written permission from her previous state to relocate.

c. The new state may grant her reciprocity.

d. The new state may require her to take extra credits and retake the counselor exam

b

Ten years ago, Matt worked as a professional counselor at a community clinic. Matt recently joined a church where he runs into a client that he worked with who, at the time, was a 17 year old in an abusive dating relationship. The client is now all grown up and is a single mom and teaches 3rd grade at a local elementary school. Matt is single and very attracted to this woman and would like to ask her out on a date. What is the ethical dilemma here?

a. Whether Matt will uphold his duty of confidentiality.

b. Whether there has been sufficient time since the counseling relationship terminated.

c. Whether Matt has a duty to warn the church.

d. Whether Matt is ready for a relationship.

c

Wayne and David are close friends and professional counseling colleagues working at the same agency. Wayne notices that David has been inviting him to go drinking after work almost every day. Wayne notices that on several occasions he has smelled alcohol on David’s breath when he returns from lunch. What is Wayne’s ethical responsibility to his professional colleague?

a. To offer to be the designated driver when they go out after work.

b. Call security and report David to Human Resources.

c. Confront David regarding his current behavior.

d. Report it immediately to the licensing agency.

d

A counselor has been working with a young teen who has had some gang involvement. The teen trusts the counselor and makes the counselor “promise not to snitch” that the gang is pressuring him to target and shoot a rival gang member as a part of his initiation. What position does this disclosure place the counselor in?

a. The counselor must just listen to the client and not impose his values.

b. The counselor must keep this information in confidence.

c. The counselor must notify the client’s parents or guardians.

d. The counselor must inform the client that he cannot keep that secret.

c

Marekea is designing a research study. She wants to complete a laboratory study where she can control as many variables as possible, but she is concerned that her findings may not reflect what occurs in a natural setting. In technical terms, Marekea is concerned about the _____ of her study.

a. test-retest reliability

b. internal validity

c. external validity

d. confounding variables

d

You administer a new set of test questions to 5 students in your Introduction to Psychology class and you discover that 5 of your questions have an item difficulty index of 1.0. This means that for those 5 items:

a. no one answered the questions.

b. no one answered the questions correctly.

c. no two individuals answered the questions the same way.

d. everyone answered the questions correctly.

a

Many argue that the concept of research dates back as far as:

a. 400 BC

b. 1850s

c. 1920

d. 1950