CADC Professional & Ethical Responsibilities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A counselor learns during a session that a client is being physically abused by a partner. What ethical and legal obligation applies?
- Document the disclosure but take no further action
- Report the abuse as required by applicable mandatory reporting laws (Correct answer)
- Encourage the client to handle the situation independently
- Disclose the information only if the client gives written consent
Correct answer: Report the abuse as required by applicable mandatory reporting laws
Mandatory reporting laws require counselors to report known or suspected abuse to designated authorities regardless of client consent.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a dual relationship that a CADC counselor must avoid?
- Consulting with a supervisor about a difficult case
- Providing counseling to a family member (Correct answer)
- Attending a professional conference with a colleague
- Using evidence-based treatment approaches with a client
Correct answer: Providing counseling to a family member
Counseling a family member creates a dual relationship that compromises objectivity and creates significant ethical risks.
Question 3: Informed consent for substance use treatment should include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Nature and goals of treatment
- Counselor's personal opinions about the client's substance use (Correct answer)
- Limits of confidentiality
- Client's right to refuse or withdraw from treatment
Correct answer: Counselor's personal opinions about the client's substance use
Informed consent covers treatment details, rights, and confidentiality limits, but does not include the counselor's personal opinions.
Question 4: Under 42 CFR Part 2, which disclosure of a client's substance use treatment records is generally permitted without consent?
- Release to an employer requesting attendance verification
- Medical emergency involving a direct threat to life (Correct answer)
- Routine coordination with law enforcement
- Request by the client's family members
Correct answer: Medical emergency involving a direct threat to life
42 CFR Part 2 allows disclosure without consent only in specific circumstances, including bona fide medical emergencies.
Question 5: A counselor realizes mid-treatment that a client's presenting issue falls outside their competence. The most ethical action is to:
- Continue treatment and research the issue independently
- Seek supervision, consult with experts, or refer the client appropriately (Correct answer)
- Discharge the client immediately without explanation
- Reassign the client to an unlicensed intern
Correct answer: Seek supervision, consult with experts, or refer the client appropriately
When a client's needs exceed the counselor's competence, ethical practice requires seeking supervision, consultation, or appropriate referral.
Question 6: Which statement best describes the ethical principle of fidelity in substance use counseling?
- Promoting the greatest good for the greatest number of clients
- Keeping promises and honoring commitments made to clients (Correct answer)
- Distributing services fairly across all client populations
- Preventing harm to clients at all costs
Correct answer: Keeping promises and honoring commitments made to clients
Fidelity refers to being faithful to commitments, keeping promises, and maintaining trustworthiness in the counseling relationship.
Question 7: A client shares information in group counseling that is later disclosed by another group member. The counselor's responsibility includes:
- Holding all group members legally liable for breaches
- Educating group members at the outset about confidentiality expectations and limitations (Correct answer)
- Guaranteeing absolute confidentiality among group participants
- Avoiding group therapy to prevent confidentiality issues
Correct answer: Educating group members at the outset about confidentiality expectations and limitations
Counselors must inform group members that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed from other participants, and establish clear group norms.
CADC Professional & Ethical Responsibilities 3
A counselor learns during a session that a client is being physically abused by a partner.
What ethical and legal obligation applies?