Ethics, Boundaries & Professional Conduct Flashcards

A client asks their coach to attend a family meeting as a 'character witness.' Accepting this role would be ethically problematic because:

Answer: It places the coach in a dual role that compromises coaching neutrality

Stepping outside the coaching role into an advocacy or witness role creates a dual relationship that can compromise objectivity.

A coach who specializes in career transitions begins working with a client struggling with clinical depression. The coach should:

Answer: Recognize the clinical nature of the issue, discuss it openly, and refer to a mental health professional while determining if coaching can continue in parallel

Depression is a clinical condition outside coaching scope; the ethical response is referral and a scope discussion, not diagnosis or treatment.

Which behavior VIOLATES the ICF ethical standard regarding conflicts of interest?

Answer: Receiving a referral fee from another coach without informing the referred client

Undisclosed referral fees are a conflict of interest because they create hidden financial incentives that could influence coach recommendations.

A coach terminates a client relationship abruptly without notice or referral. This is ethically problematic primarily because:

Answer: It constitutes abandonment and fails the coach's duty of care

Abrupt termination without referral or notice is considered client abandonment, violating the coach's core ethical duty of care.

How should a coach respond if a client requests session notes for their personal records?

Answer: Provide the notes, as clients generally have the right to information about their own coaching

Clients typically have a right to information about their own coaching engagement, and ethical coaches facilitate access to session documentation.

A coach who is going through a personal crisis that impairs their effectiveness should FIRST:

Answer: Assess capacity honestly, seek supervision or personal coaching, and consider temporarily reducing caseload

Self-awareness and proactive capacity management protect client welfare when the coach's own wellbeing is compromised.

When coaching across cultural backgrounds, which practice BEST reflects ethical cultural competence?

Answer: Seeking ongoing education about cultural differences and adapting communication and approaches accordingly

Ethical cultural competence requires active learning and adaptive practice, not avoidance or assumption of one-size-fits-all methods.