CHC Ethics, Scope of Practice & Professional Conduct 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A prospective client asks a CHC if coaching is the same as therapy. The most accurate response is:
- Yes, coaching and therapy achieve the same outcomes through similar methods
- Coaching focuses on present goals and future action, while therapy typically addresses past issues and mental health conditions (Correct answer)
- Coaching is a form of therapy that does not require a license
- Therapy is less effective than coaching for most health issues
Correct answer: Coaching focuses on present goals and future action, while therapy typically addresses past issues and mental health conditions
Understanding and clearly articulating the distinction between coaching and therapy is essential to informed client consent.
Question 2: What is the ethical principle of non-maleficence as it applies to health coaching?
- Always prioritizing the coach's professional development
- Avoiding actions that could harm the client (Correct answer)
- Ensuring every session produces measurable outcomes
- Charging fair and transparent fees
Correct answer: Avoiding actions that could harm the client
Non-maleficence — 'do no harm' — requires coaches to avoid practices that could physically, emotionally, or professionally harm clients.
Question 3: A certified health coach is asked by a friend to coach them for free informally. Which risk is most significant?
- The coach may not be compensated fairly
- The informal arrangement lacks professional boundaries and may blur the coaching relationship (Correct answer)
- The friend may not follow through on health goals
- Free coaching violates certification standards
Correct answer: The informal arrangement lacks professional boundaries and may blur the coaching relationship
Informal coaching with friends compromises professional boundaries and introduces dual-relationship risks.
Question 4: A health coach receives a subpoena requesting client session records. The coach should:
- Immediately deliver all records to the court
- Consult with a legal professional before releasing any confidential client information (Correct answer)
- Shred the records to protect client privacy
- Ask the client if it is acceptable before responding to the subpoena
Correct answer: Consult with a legal professional before releasing any confidential client information
Legal demands for confidential records require professional legal guidance before any disclosure is made.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of practicing within the CHC scope of practice?
- Interpreting a client's blood test results
- Helping a client identify barriers to reaching their step-count goal (Correct answer)
- Prescribing a low-sodium diet for a client with hypertension
- Diagnosing a client with metabolic syndrome
Correct answer: Helping a client identify barriers to reaching their step-count goal
Identifying behavioral barriers to goal achievement is a core, within-scope function of health coaching.
Question 6: A client discloses they are experiencing thoughts of self-harm during a session. A CHC should:
- Continue the session and monitor the client's mood
- Immediately refer the client to emergency mental health services and follow crisis protocols (Correct answer)
- Advise the client to try relaxation techniques
- Keep the information confidential and document it in session notes only
Correct answer: Immediately refer the client to emergency mental health services and follow crisis protocols
Imminent risk of self-harm requires immediate referral to crisis services, overriding standard confidentiality.
Question 7: Which statement best reflects ethical marketing for a certified health coach?
- Using client testimonials that guarantee specific health outcomes
- Advertising credentials accurately and making only evidence-supported claims about coaching benefits (Correct answer)
- Claiming to treat chronic diseases through health coaching
- Implying medical authority by using clinical terminology in marketing
Correct answer: Advertising credentials accurately and making only evidence-supported claims about coaching benefits
Ethical marketing requires honest representation of qualifications and realistic, evidence-based claims.
CHC Ethics, Scope of Practice & Professional Conduct 3
A prospective client asks a CHC if coaching is the same as therapy.
The most accurate response is: