CSAM Ethical Standards & Professional Practice 2

Question 1

A client discloses during an anger management session that they plan to physically harm a neighbor next week. What is the specialist's primary ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Issue a duty-to-warn notification to the intended victim and authorities

Answer

Under the duty-to-protect doctrine (Tarasoff), specialists must warn identifiable third parties and notify law enforcement when clients pose a credible, imminent threat.

Question 2

Which scenario represents a boundary violation rather than a boundary crossing in anger management practice?

Accepted Answer

Entering a dual romantic relationship with a former client six months post-discharge

Answer

A romantic relationship with a former client, especially within two years of discharge, is a boundary violation that exploits the therapeutic relationship.

Question 3

A CSAM practitioner works in a correctional facility where administration requests weekly anger-level ratings on all clients to inform parole decisions. What ethical issue is most salient?

Accepted Answer

Dual-role conflict between therapist and evaluator

Answer

Acting simultaneously as treatment provider and forensic evaluator creates a dual-role conflict that compromises therapeutic alliance and client candor.

Question 4

When obtaining informed consent for anger management services, which element is most critical to document specifically?

Accepted Answer

Limits of confidentiality, including mandatory reporting obligations

Answer

Clients must understand precisely when confidentiality will be breached so they can make autonomous decisions about what to disclose.

Question 5

A certified anger management specialist has no training in trauma-focused therapy but a referral source insists the specialist also address a client's PTSD. What is the ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Decline the trauma component and refer to a trauma-trained clinician

Answer

Practicing outside one's competence boundary violates the ethical principle of non-maleficence; the specialist should coordinate care with a qualified trauma provider.

(CSAM) Certified Specialist in Anger Management Practice Test

(CSAM) Certified Specialist in Anger Management Practice Test

CSAM Ethical Standards & Professional Practice 2