Texas Counselor Ethics & Legal Standards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the principle of confidentiality in counseling?
- Sharing all details with family
- Disclosing to media
- Protecting client information unless legally required (Correct answer)
- Posting updates on social media
Correct answer: Protecting client information unless legally required
Confidentiality ensures that information shared by clients is protected and not disclosed without consent, except in legal or safety-related exceptions.
Question 2: What is a dual relationship in counseling?
- Providing group therapy
- Seeing the client weekly
- Being both counselor and employer (Correct answer)
- Using person-centered approach
Correct answer: Being both counselor and employer
A dual relationship occurs when a counselor has another significant connection to the client outside of the therapeutic relationship, which can create conflicts of interest.
Question 3: Informed consent includes which of the following?
- Client’s favorite color
- Session times only
- Purpose, process, risks, and confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Counselor's resume
Correct answer: Purpose, process, risks, and confidentiality
Informed consent ensures clients understand the counseling process, risks, benefits, and confidentiality limits.
Question 4: What should a counselor do if a client threatens harm to another person?
- Ignore the statement
- Discuss it in the next session
- Warn the intended victim or appropriate authority (Correct answer)
- Delete the client’s file
Correct answer: Warn the intended victim or appropriate authority
The duty to warn requires the counselor to take reasonable steps, including notifying authorities or potential victims.
Question 5: What is the ethical standard for recordkeeping?
- Only keep verbal notes
- Destroy records after each session
- Maintain clear, factual, and updated documentation (Correct answer)
- Write opinions only
Correct answer: Maintain clear, factual, and updated documentation
Counselors must keep accurate and timely records to ensure continuity of care and legal accountability.
Question 6: Which organization provides a widely accepted ethical code for counselors?
- IRS
- CDC
- ACA (American Counseling Association) (Correct answer)
- FTC
Correct answer: ACA (American Counseling Association)
The American Counseling Association (ACA) provides a comprehensive Code of Ethics for professional counselors.
Texas Counselor Ethics & Legal Standards 1
What is the principle of confidentiality in counseling?