Professional and Ethical Responsibilities Flashcards

Which scenario best illustrates a conflict of interest for a chemical dependency counselor?

Answer: Receiving a referral fee from a treatment facility where the counselor sends clients

Receiving financial incentives for referrals creates a conflict of interest that compromises the counselor's objectivity and client welfare.

A client in recovery asks their counselor to write a letter of recommendation for a job application. The MOST ethical response is to:

Answer: Decline unless the letter can be written without disclosing treatment status

The counselor may assist if a letter can be written without revealing that the client is in substance use treatment, protecting confidentiality.

When a counselor disagrees with an agency policy they believe is unethical, the FIRST step should be to:

Answer: Address the concern internally through appropriate agency channels

Raising the concern through internal channels is the appropriate first step before pursuing external escalation.

According to professional ethics, documentation of counseling sessions should be completed:

Answer: In a timely manner after each session to ensure accuracy

Timely documentation ensures accurate, legally defensible records and is a professional and ethical standard.

A client who has completed treatment contacts their former counselor and asks to begin a romantic relationship. Ethically, the counselor should:

Answer: Refuse, because most ethical codes prohibit sexual relationships with former clients

Most professional codes, including NAADAC, prohibit or strongly discourage sexual or romantic relationships with former clients due to the lasting power differential.

Which of the following best describes the counselor's ethical duty when treating a client with a co-occurring mental health disorder beyond the counselor's training?

Answer: Consult with a supervisor and pursue appropriate referral or collaboration

The counselor should consult with a supervisor and collaborate with or refer to specialists to ensure competent integrated care.

A counselor's client reveals they plan to drive home intoxicated after the session ends. The counselor's MOST appropriate immediate action is to:

Answer: Attempt to intervene by exploring alternatives such as calling a ride and alerting the client to the danger

Attempting to persuade the client to use a safe alternative is the least restrictive and most clinically appropriate first response.