CASAC Ethical and Professional Responsibilities 2

Question 1

A CASAC counselor is invited to a social event and discovers that one of their current clients is also attending. What is the most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Avoid acknowledging the client unless the client initiates contact, to protect their confidentiality

Answer

Protecting client confidentiality requires that the counselor not initiate contact or acknowledge the therapeutic relationship in public settings unless the client does so first.

Question 2

What is the ethical rationale for substance abuse counselors being required to seek regular clinical supervision?

Accepted Answer

Supervision protects client welfare by ensuring quality of care, supports counselor professional development, prevents burnout, and provides accountability for clinical decisions

Answer

Clinical supervision serves multiple ethical functions: protecting clients through quality oversight, developing counselor competence, preventing burnout, and ensuring clinical accountability.

Question 3

A substance abuse counselor who is also a recovering person shares their personal recovery story with a client to build rapport. Under what circumstances might this constitute an ethical concern?

Accepted Answer

Self-disclosure becomes problematic when it shifts the focus from the client's needs to the counselor's experience, creates a dual relationship dynamic, or is used to meet the counselor's own emotional needs

Answer

Self-disclosure becomes ethically problematic when it serves the counselor's needs rather than the client's, when it shifts the therapeutic focus, or when it blurs professional boundaries.

Question 4

A client in substance abuse treatment offers to provide free landscaping services to their CASAC counselor's home. How should the counselor handle this situation?

Accepted Answer

Decline the offer politely, explaining that accepting services from a client creates a dual relationship that could compromise the therapeutic process

Answer

Accepting services from clients creates a dual relationship (both therapeutic and business) that compromises the counselor's objectivity and the power dynamics of the therapeutic relationship.

Question 5

What is the counselor's responsibility when they recognize that their personal values or biases may negatively affect their ability to provide competent care to a particular client?

Accepted Answer

Engage in self-reflection, seek supervision to address the issue, and transfer the client if the bias cannot be adequately managed

Answer

Professional ethics require self-awareness of biases, proactive management through supervision, and client transfer when the counselor cannot provide uncompromised care.

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test

CASAC Ethical and Professional Responsibilities 2