Counseling Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The ACA Code of Ethics was most recently revised in:
- 2005
- 2010
- 2014 (Correct answer)
- 2023
Correct answer: 2014
The ACA Code of Ethics was most recently revised in 2014, addressing issues such as technology, social media, distance counseling, and end-of-life care.
Question 2: The legal duty to warn (Tarasoff ruling) requires counselors to take action when:
- A client discloses past criminal behavior
- A client makes a specific, credible threat against an identifiable third party (Correct answer)
- A client is severely depressed
- A client refuses prescribed medication
Correct answer: A client makes a specific, credible threat against an identifiable third party
The Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California ruling established that therapists have a duty to protect identifiable third parties when clients make specific, credible threats against them.
Question 3: Informed consent in counseling must include which of the following elements?
- The counselor's educational background and financial history
- The nature of services, fees, risks, benefits, and limits of confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Guarantees of treatment outcomes
- The client's diagnosis and prognosis
Correct answer: The nature of services, fees, risks, benefits, and limits of confidentiality
Ethical informed consent includes explaining the nature and purpose of services, fees, potential risks and benefits, and the limits of confidentiality before counseling begins.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a recognized exception to client confidentiality?
- Mandatory child abuse reporting
- Court-ordered disclosure
- Client's insurance company requests records for billing (Correct answer)
- Duty to warn an identifiable third party
Correct answer: Client's insurance company requests records for billing
An insurance company requesting records for billing purposes does not automatically override confidentiality; client authorization is typically required before releasing records to third-party payers.
Question 5: A dual relationship in counseling refers to:
- Counseling two clients in the same family simultaneously
- A counselor having multiple professional and personal roles with the same client (Correct answer)
- Using two different theoretical orientations with one client
- Co-counseling with another therapist
Correct answer: A counselor having multiple professional and personal roles with the same client
A dual (or multiple) relationship occurs when a counselor holds two or more roles simultaneously with a client — such as therapist and friend, employer, or instructor — creating a risk of harm or exploitation.
Question 6: Mandatory reporting laws require counselors to report suspected:
- All client criminal activity
- Child abuse and neglect (Correct answer)
- Elder substance abuse only
- Domestic violence in all states
Correct answer: Child abuse and neglect
All U.S. states have mandatory reporting laws requiring mental health professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect to designated child protective services agencies.
Counseling Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling 1
The ACA Code of Ethics was most recently revised in: