Ethical & Professional Considerations Flashcards

An ACT therapist notices they are experiencing strong personal distress when a client discusses a topic closely related to the therapist's own unresolved trauma. What is the most ethically appropriate immediate response?

Answer: Engage in self-care and seek supervision or personal therapy to address the impairment

Ethical standards require therapists to recognize and address personal impairment that could harm clients, typically through supervision or personal therapy.

A client in ACT therapy requests a copy of their session notes to share with a life coach. Under HIPAA and ethical guidelines, the therapist should:

Answer: Honor the request with a signed release, providing records within the legally required timeframe

Clients have a legal right to their records under HIPAA; a signed authorization allows disclosure to third parties within mandated timeframes.

In ACT, the principle of 'psychological flexibility' as a treatment goal most aligns with which ethical obligation?

Answer: Beneficence, by promoting the client's well-being and functional living

Beneficence involves actively promoting client welfare, which aligns with ACT's goal of increasing psychological flexibility to improve quality of life.

A licensed ACT therapist is asked by a former client (therapy ended 18 months ago) to write a character reference letter for a custody hearing. What is the most appropriate action?

Answer: Carefully evaluate potential dual-role risks, consult guidelines, and decide based on client welfare

Post-termination requests require careful evaluation of dual-role conflicts and client welfare; ethical codes do not impose an automatic ban but require thoughtful analysis.

Which scenario best illustrates a boundary crossing rather than a boundary violation in ACT therapy?

Answer: A therapist accepts a small handmade gift from a client at the end of treatment after culturally sensitive consideration

A boundary crossing is a departure from standard practice that may be clinically appropriate in context, whereas a violation causes harm or exploits the client.

An ACT-trained consultant working within a correctional facility is asked by administration to provide therapy progress reports to determine inmate housing assignments. This situation primarily raises concerns about:

Answer: Confidentiality and dual loyalty, as the therapist serves both the institution and the client

Dual loyalty conflicts arise when a therapist must serve institutional interests (housing decisions) that may conflict with client confidentiality and welfare.

When adapting ACT interventions for a client from a collectivist cultural background who prioritizes family harmony over individual values clarification, the ethically and clinically sound approach is to:

Answer: Adapt values work to encompass relational and collective values meaningful to the client

Cultural competence requires adapting evidence-based treatments to honor clients' cultural values rather than imposing Western-centric assumptions.