Ethical & Legal Considerations Flashcards

A client in EMDR therapy reveals they are currently being stalked by an identified individual. The therapist assesses imminent danger to a third party. Which doctrine may apply?

Answer: Tarasoff duty to protect

The Tarasoff ruling established that therapists have a duty to protect identifiable third parties when a client poses a credible, serious threat.

Which practice best protects an EMDR therapist from ethical complaints related to scope of practice?

Answer: Maintaining ongoing supervision, continuing education, and documenting competency development

Ongoing supervision and continuing education demonstrate proactive competence maintenance, which is the standard ethical expectation for expanding practice.

A court subpoenas an EMDR therapist's session notes. The therapist should first:

Answer: Notify the client and consult with an attorney about privilege and objections

Receiving a subpoena requires notifying the client so they can assert privilege and consulting with legal counsel before releasing any records.

A licensed therapist trained in EMDR is asked to supervise an unlicensed intern providing EMDR. What is the supervisor's primary ethical obligation?

Answer: Assume clinical and legal responsibility for the intern's EMDR work and client outcomes

Clinical supervisors bear professional and legal responsibility for the supervisee's work, including ensuring competent EMDR delivery under supervision.

An EMDR therapist learns that a colleague is using EMDR inappropriately with vulnerable clients. The most ethical first step is to:

Answer: Address the concern with the colleague directly if safe to do so

Most ethical codes recommend attempting direct collegial consultation before escalating to formal reporting, unless the harm is severe or immediate.

When adapting EMDR for a client from a collectivist cultural background, which ethical principle requires the therapist to explore how culture shapes the client's trauma experience?

Answer: Cultural competence and sensitivity

Cultural competence obligates therapists to understand how cultural context influences trauma meaning, symptom expression, and acceptable treatment approaches.

A client wants to share their EMDR experience, including session details, in a published memoir. The therapist receives a request to review the manuscript. The therapist should:

Answer: Decline involvement to avoid any endorsement or complication of the therapeutic relationship

Therapists should avoid reviewing or endorsing client memoirs to prevent boundary violations and complications of the professional relationship.