HCC Ethics, Professionalism, & Boundaries 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A holistic coach discovers their client is also seeing another coach for the same goals. What is the most ethical response?
- Insist the client choose only one coach
- Encourage the client to disclose this to both coaches and explore whether dual coaching serves their needs (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate the coaching relationship
- Contact the other coach without the client's permission
Correct answer: Encourage the client to disclose this to both coaches and explore whether dual coaching serves their needs
Respecting client autonomy while discussing potential overlaps and encouraging transparency supports ethical practice.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'scope of practice' in holistic coaching?
- The geographic area in which a coach may work
- The range of issues and methods a coach is qualified and credentialed to address (Correct answer)
- The number of clients a coach may see per week
- The specific modalities approved by the client's insurance
Correct answer: The range of issues and methods a coach is qualified and credentialed to address
Scope of practice defines the boundaries of competence based on training, certification, and ethical guidelines.
Question 3: A coach realizes they have romantic feelings for a client. What should they do first?
- Express the feelings to see if the client reciprocates
- Continue coaching while keeping feelings private
- Seek supervision or consultation and consider referring the client (Correct answer)
- Immediately end all contact with the client
Correct answer: Seek supervision or consultation and consider referring the client
Seeking supervision protects both parties and helps the coach assess whether referral is necessary to maintain ethical boundaries.
Question 4: When a holistic coach uses social media to promote their practice, which ethical principle is most important to uphold?
- Posting client success stories with full names for credibility
- Maintaining client confidentiality and avoiding identifying information (Correct answer)
- Sharing before-and-after details to demonstrate results
- Tagging clients in posts to increase visibility
Correct answer: Maintaining client confidentiality and avoiding identifying information
Confidentiality extends to all digital platforms, and coaches must never share identifiable client information publicly.
Question 5: A client asks their holistic coach to write a letter supporting a legal claim. What is the ethical course of action?
- Write the letter as a show of support for the client
- Decline unless the coach has specific legal expertise and the letter falls within their scope
- Refer the client to an attorney and decline to write the letter (Correct answer)
- Write the letter but disclaim all professional responsibility
Correct answer: Refer the client to an attorney and decline to write the letter
Writing legal support letters is outside a holistic coach's scope of practice; referral to appropriate professionals is required.
Question 6: What does 'informed consent' require in a holistic coaching relationship?
- The client signing a waiver releasing the coach from all liability
- The client understanding the coaching process, limitations, confidentiality, and their rights before beginning (Correct answer)
- The client agreeing to complete a minimum number of sessions
- The coach explaining only their credentials and fees
Correct answer: The client understanding the coaching process, limitations, confidentiality, and their rights before beginning
Informed consent ensures clients have full understanding of the coaching relationship before committing.
Question 7: A holistic coach is asked by a client's employer to share session notes. Without a release, the coach should:
- Share notes since the employer is paying for the coaching
- Provide a summary but omit sensitive details
- Decline to share any information without the client's written authorization (Correct answer)
- Consult with the employer to determine what information is needed
Correct answer: Decline to share any information without the client's written authorization
Confidentiality cannot be broken for third-party requests, including employers, without the client's explicit written consent.
HCC Ethics, Professionalism, & Boundaries 2
A holistic coach discovers their client is also seeing another coach for the same goals.
What is the most ethical response?