CPCE Professional Orientation & Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A licensed counselor is contacted by a former client's new therapist requesting session notes. What should the counselor do first?
- Send notes immediately as professional courtesy
- Obtain written authorization from the former client before releasing records (Correct answer)
- Deny the request entirely to protect confidentiality
- Provide only a verbal summary over the phone
Correct answer: Obtain written authorization from the former client before releasing records
Even after termination, releasing records requires the former client's written authorization to comply with HIPAA and ethical standards.
Question 2: The concept of 'fidelity' as an ethical principle in counseling means:
- Maintaining financial transparency with clients
- Honoring commitments and being trustworthy in the therapeutic relationship (Correct answer)
- Balancing client needs with societal obligations
- Avoiding harm through careful intervention selection
Correct answer: Honoring commitments and being trustworthy in the therapeutic relationship
Fidelity refers to honoring promises, being trustworthy, and maintaining loyalty to ethical obligations in the counselor-client relationship.
Question 3: A counselor working in a rural community is asked to attend the same church as a client. This situation is best described as a:
- Transference reaction requiring immediate referral
- Potential dual relationship requiring careful management (Correct answer)
- Clear ethical violation mandating termination
- Countertransference that must be reported to a supervisor
Correct answer: Potential dual relationship requiring careful management
Incidental dual relationships in rural settings are common; counselors must manage rather than automatically terminate, prioritizing the client's welfare.
Question 4: Which of the following best exemplifies the ethical principle of 'autonomy' in counseling practice?
- Counselor decides the treatment modality based on clinical expertise
- Counselor ensures the client can make free and informed decisions about their care (Correct answer)
- Counselor prioritizes societal welfare over individual client preferences
- Counselor maintains strict professional boundaries at all times
Correct answer: Counselor ensures the client can make free and informed decisions about their care
Autonomy means respecting the client's right to self-determination and supporting their capacity to make informed choices.
Question 5: A counselor realizes they have developed strong romantic feelings for a current client. The most ethical immediate action is to:
- Disclose feelings to the client to model transparency
- Seek supervision immediately and consider referring the client (Correct answer)
- Continue the relationship while monitoring feelings closely
- Terminate services without explanation to prevent harm
Correct answer: Seek supervision immediately and consider referring the client
Seeking supervision when experiencing romantic feelings toward a client is essential to protect the client and maintain professional integrity.
Question 6: Privilege in counseling refers to:
- A counselor's right to refuse testimony in all court proceedings
- The client's legal right to prevent a counselor from disclosing confidential information in legal proceedings (Correct answer)
- Special therapeutic techniques available only to licensed counselors
- The ethical duty to prioritize high-risk clients
Correct answer: The client's legal right to prevent a counselor from disclosing confidential information in legal proceedings
Privilege is a legal concept that belongs to the client, protecting their confidential communications from compelled disclosure in court.
Question 7: A counseling intern is required to inform clients about their trainee status primarily to uphold which ethical principle?
- Beneficence
- Justice
- Informed consent and transparency (Correct answer)
- Nonmaleficence
Correct answer: Informed consent and transparency
Clients have the right to know who is providing their care, including whether the counselor is a supervised trainee, as part of informed consent.
CPCE Professional Orientation & Ethics 3
A licensed counselor is contacted by a former client's new therapist requesting session notes.
What should the counselor do first?