CASAC Professional Ethics and Regulations 4

Question 1

A CASAC counselor discovers that a colleague is romantically involved with a current client. What is the counselor's primary ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Report the situation to a supervisor or ethics board

Answer

Counselors have an ethical duty to report colleague misconduct that harms clients, including sexual or romantic dual relationships.

Question 2

Under HIPAA, which of the following does NOT qualify as a permissible disclosure of PHI without client authorization?

Accepted Answer

Sharing records with a client's employer upon the employer's request

Answer

HIPAA does not permit disclosure of PHI to employers simply upon their request; client authorization is required for employment-related disclosures.

Question 3

A client discloses they have been driving drunk regularly but denies any intent to harm others. Using the Tarasoff principle, the counselor should:

Accepted Answer

Assess the level of risk and consider warning identifiable potential victims or authorities

Answer

The Tarasoff duty to warn applies when there is foreseeable danger to others; the counselor must assess risk and take reasonable protective action.

Question 4

Which ethical principle is MOST relevant when a counselor adapts treatment goals to align with a client's cultural values and beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Autonomy respects a client's right to self-determination, including culturally influenced decisions about their own care.

Question 5

A CASAC counselor in private practice wants to offer a discount to clients who refer new clients. This practice is:

Accepted Answer

An ethical violation because it creates a conflict of interest and exploits the therapeutic relationship

Answer

Referral incentives exploit the therapeutic relationship and compromise the counselor's objectivity, constituting an ethical violation.

CASAC - Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Practice Test