Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Flashcards

A counselor is treating a client who is HIV-positive. The client refuses to tell their sexual partner. The counselor is most ethically obligated to:

Answer: Balance the duty to warn with confidentiality and consult relevant state law

Duty to warn obligations vary by state law, and the counselor must weigh confidentiality against the identifiable partner's risk of harm.

Which of the following is the BEST example of appropriate professional boundaries with a client?

Answer: Maintaining consistent session times and locations with clear role expectations

Consistent structure, clear role expectations, and defined limits are hallmarks of appropriate professional boundaries.

A counselor who provides a client with an inaccurate prognosis to keep them engaged in treatment is violating which principle?

Answer: Veracity

Veracity (truthfulness) is violated when a counselor gives a client false information, even with good intentions.

A client who was court-ordered to treatment states they do not want to participate. Which is the counselor's BEST response?

Answer: Explore the client's resistance and discuss the consequences of non-participation

Exploring resistance using motivational approaches can help the client find internal reasons for engagement even in mandatory settings.

Which action would constitute a boundary crossing that is potentially therapeutic rather than a boundary violation?

Answer: Attending a client's graduation from a recovery program at the client's invitation

Attending a client's graduation can be a thoughtful, clinically justified act of support that does not exploit the relationship.

A supervisee discloses a personal struggle with addiction in supervision. The supervisor's ethical obligation is to:

Answer: Explore the impact on client care and recommend the supervisee seek personal counseling

The supervisor should assess the impact on clients and encourage the supervisee to seek support while maintaining a supervisory—not therapeutic—role.

The National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) Code of Ethics requires counselors to engage in continuing education primarily to:

Answer: Maintain and improve competency throughout their careers

NAADAC's code emphasizes that ongoing education is a professional responsibility to maintain competent, effective practice.