CLEE Crisis Intervention and Suicidality

Question 1

Under California law, a therapist may breach confidentiality without client consent when:

Accepted Answer

There is a serious and imminent threat of harm to an identifiable third party

Answer

California's Tarasoff duty requires therapists to take reasonable protective steps, including breaching confidentiality, when a client poses a serious and imminent threat to an identifiable third party.

Question 2

The 'duty to protect' established in Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California requires therapists to:

Accepted Answer

Warn or protect identifiable potential victims when a client poses a serious threat

Answer

Tarasoff established that therapists must take reasonable steps—including warning identifiable potential victims—when a client poses a serious, credible threat.

Question 3

California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150 authorizes an involuntary 72-hour psychiatric hold when a person:

Accepted Answer

Is a danger to themselves, others, or is gravely disabled due to a mental disorder

Answer

WIC 5150 authorizes a 72-hour evaluation hold when a person, as a result of a mental disorder, poses a danger to self, others, or is gravely disabled.

Question 4

When conducting a suicide risk assessment, which of the following is considered a static (historical) risk factor?

Accepted Answer

Previous suicide attempts

Answer

Previous suicide attempts are static/historical factors—they have already occurred and cannot change—and are among the strongest predictors of future attempts.

Question 5

A therapist learns a client has a specific, credible plan to harm a neighbor. Under the Tarasoff duty, the therapist should FIRST:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a thorough clinical assessment to evaluate seriousness and imminence of the threat

Answer

Clinical assessment of the threat's seriousness and imminence must precede action to determine the appropriate protective response.

CLEE - California Law and Ethics Exam Practice Test

CLEE - California Law and Ethics Exam Practice Test

CLEE Crisis Intervention and Suicidality