CPS Professional Growth & Responsibility 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dual relationship in prevention practice most commonly refers to a situation where the professional:
- Holds two separate prevention certifications
- Has both a personal and professional relationship with a client or colleague (Correct answer)
- Serves on two organizational boards simultaneously
- Provides services under two different funding streams
Correct answer: Has both a personal and professional relationship with a client or colleague
A dual relationship occurs when a practitioner has both a professional role and a personal or secondary relationship with the same individual.
Question 2: Under HIPAA and professional ethics, a prevention specialist may share client information without consent when:
- A curious supervisor requests it for program evaluation
- There is imminent danger to the client or identifiable others (Correct answer)
- A colleague needs it to understand the client's background
- The client's family requests an update on progress
Correct answer: There is imminent danger to the client or identifiable others
Imminent danger to the client or others is a recognized exception that permits disclosure to prevent serious harm.
Question 3: Which approach to professional advocacy is MOST aligned with ethical standards for prevention specialists?
- Lobbying legislators using client case details to make arguments more compelling
- Sharing aggregate, de-identified data to support evidence-based policy changes (Correct answer)
- Publicly criticizing officials who oppose prevention funding on social media
- Withholding program data from opponents of prevention programs
Correct answer: Sharing aggregate, de-identified data to support evidence-based policy changes
Ethical advocacy uses de-identified, aggregate evidence to influence policy without compromising client confidentiality.
Question 4: A prevention specialist in a rural area is the only mental health resource available and is asked to provide services outside their competency area. The ethical priority is to:
- Provide the services to avoid a gap in care for the community
- Refuse services entirely and document the service gap
- Seek supervision, training, or consultation while arranging the most appropriate alternative available (Correct answer)
- Expand their scope of practice based on community need
Correct answer: Seek supervision, training, or consultation while arranging the most appropriate alternative available
Even in resource-scarce settings, practitioners must seek supervision or consultation and facilitate the best available alternative rather than exceeding their competency.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'reflective practice' in prevention work?
- Using mirrors and visual prompts in group facilitation
- Systematically examining one's assumptions, reactions, and effectiveness to improve practice (Correct answer)
- Reflecting on annual performance goals during supervision
- Reviewing program outcomes annually with the funding agency
Correct answer: Systematically examining one's assumptions, reactions, and effectiveness to improve practice
Reflective practice is the deliberate process of examining one's own assumptions, behaviors, and effectiveness to continuously improve professional performance.
Question 6: The IC&RC Code of Ethics requires prevention specialists to report which of the following to the appropriate authority?
- Any disagreement with organizational policy
- A colleague's substandard performance that poses risk to clients or the public (Correct answer)
- All suspected violations of program fidelity guidelines
- Clients who do not follow through with referrals
Correct answer: A colleague's substandard performance that poses risk to clients or the public
Ethical codes require reporting colleague conduct that poses a genuine risk to clients or public welfare through appropriate channels.
Question 7: Self-disclosure by a prevention professional is considered appropriate when it:
- Helps build rapport by sharing extensive personal history
- Is brief, purposeful, and serves the client's or program participant's needs (Correct answer)
- Establishes the specialist as relatable to the target population
- Occurs naturally during informal group discussions
Correct answer: Is brief, purposeful, and serves the client's or program participant's needs
Appropriate self-disclosure is purposeful and limited, with its primary intent being to benefit the client rather than to serve the professional's own needs.
CPS Professional Growth & Responsibility 3
A dual relationship in prevention practice most commonly refers to a situation where the professional: