IC&RC Professional Ethics & Regulatory Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A counselor is treating a client whose spouse calls demanding information about the client's progress. The counselor should:
- Share general progress updates because the spouse is a family member
- Refuse to confirm or deny the client is in treatment without a signed release (Correct answer)
- Provide information only if the spouse agrees to attend a session
- Share information if the counselor believes it would help the client's recovery
Correct answer: Refuse to confirm or deny the client is in treatment without a signed release
Without a signed authorization from the client, the counselor cannot disclose any information, including confirming that the client is in treatment.
Question 2: Which ethical principle supports a client's right to make informed decisions about their own treatment?
- Nonmaleficence
- Justice
- Autonomy (Correct answer)
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Autonomy
Autonomy is the ethical principle that upholds an individual's right to self-determination and to make informed choices about their own care.
Question 3: An addiction counselor begins experiencing significant personal problems that may impair their professional judgment. The ethical action is to:
- Continue working until the problems resolve on their own
- Seek personal counseling and consult with a supervisor about adjusting their caseload if needed (Correct answer)
- Keep the personal situation private because it is unrelated to work
- Increase session frequency with clients to maintain routine
Correct answer: Seek personal counseling and consult with a supervisor about adjusting their caseload if needed
Impaired professionals must take steps to address impairment, including seeking help and limiting practice if their effectiveness is compromised.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a boundary crossing rather than a boundary violation?
- Entering into a sexual relationship with a current client
- Attending a client's graduation ceremony after consulting with a supervisor (Correct answer)
- Accepting large financial gifts from a client's family
- Using a client's confidential information for a public presentation without consent
Correct answer: Attending a client's graduation ceremony after consulting with a supervisor
A boundary crossing is a minor or deliberate deviation from standard practice that may be clinically justified, whereas a boundary violation causes harm or exploits the client.
Question 5: A client who is court-mandated to treatment states they do not want to be there. Regarding informed consent, the counselor should:
- Skip informed consent since participation is legally required
- Still provide informed consent, explaining the nature of treatment, limits of confidentiality, and reporting obligations (Correct answer)
- Obtain consent from the referring court instead of the client
- Defer informed consent until the client is more motivated
Correct answer: Still provide informed consent, explaining the nature of treatment, limits of confidentiality, and reporting obligations
Even mandated clients retain the right to informed consent; counselors must explain what treatment involves and what information will be reported to the court.
Question 6: The IC&RC Code of Ethics addresses cultural competence primarily to ensure that:
- Counselors only serve clients from their own cultural background
- Services are delivered in ways that are respectful of and responsive to clients' cultural identities (Correct answer)
- Cultural factors are addressed only when the client raises them
- Counselors translate all materials into the client's native language regardless of practicality
Correct answer: Services are delivered in ways that are respectful of and responsive to clients' cultural identities
Cultural competence requires counselors to understand how cultural identity influences clients' experiences and to adapt services accordingly to provide equitable, effective care.
Question 7: When a counselor disagrees with an agency policy that they believe harms clients, the most ethical initial step is to:
- Ignore the policy and act according to personal judgment
- Immediately report the agency to licensing authorities
- Address the concern through internal channels such as supervisors or ethics committees (Correct answer)
- Continue following the policy to avoid conflict
Correct answer: Address the concern through internal channels such as supervisors or ethics committees
Counselors should first attempt to resolve policy conflicts through legitimate internal channels before escalating to external authorities.
IC&RC Professional Ethics & Regulatory Compliance 3
A counselor is treating a client whose spouse calls demanding information about the client's progress.
The counselor should: