LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor Ethical and Legal Standards Questions and Answers

Question 1

A counselor is working with a 16-year-old client who reveals they are considering suicide.
The client pleads with the counselor not to tell their parents.
According to the ACA Code of Ethics, which of the following is the counselor's primary responsibility?

Accepted Answer

To breach confidentiality and inform the client's parents or legal guardians.

Answer

To maintain confidentiality as requested by the minor client.

Answer

To first explore the client's reasons for not wanting their parents involved.

Answer

To immediately have the client hospitalized without parental notification.

Question 2

During an initial session, a new client signs an informed consent form that outlines the counselor's policies, fees, and the limits of confidentiality. According to ethical standards, when is the process of informed consent complete?

Accepted Answer

It is an ongoing process throughout the counseling relationship.

Answer

After the client signs the initial paperwork.

Answer

When the counselor has verbally reviewed all the points on the form.

Answer

Once the first session has concluded.

Question 3

An LPC in a small, rural town discovers that a new client is a cashier at the only local grocery store. Which of the following best describes this situation and the most appropriate initial action for the counselor to take?

Accepted Answer

This is a potentially harmful multiple relationship, and the counselor should discuss the potential challenges and boundaries with the client.

Answer

This is a prohibited dual relationship, and the counselor must refer the client immediately.

Answer

This is an unavoidable dual relationship, and the counselor should proceed with therapy without any specific actions.

Answer

This is a beneficial dual relationship that can enhance the therapeutic alliance.

Question 4

A client's attorney subpoenas a counselor for the client's complete case file for a legal proceeding. The counselor is concerned that releasing the entire file could be harmful to the client. What is the counselor's most appropriate ethical and legal course of action?

Accepted Answer

Consult with their own legal counsel and seek guidance from the court.

Answer

Immediately provide the entire file as requested by the subpoena.

Answer

Refuse to provide the records, citing client confidentiality.

Answer

Ask the client to decide which parts of the record to release.

Question 5

The 'duty to warn' established in the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California case requires a counselor to take action when a client poses a serious threat of violence. Which of the following conditions is most critical for this duty to be invoked?

Accepted Answer

The threat is made against a reasonably identifiable victim.

Answer

The client has a history of any mental illness.

Answer

The client makes a vague threat against a group of people.

Answer

The client expresses a generalized feeling of anger.

Question 6

Which of the following is generally considered outside the scope of practice for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)?

Accepted Answer

Prescribing psychotropic medications.

Answer

Administering and interpreting career interest inventories.

Answer

Diagnosing mental and emotional disorders based on the DSM.

Answer

Utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques in therapy.

A counselor is working with a 16-year-old client who reveals they are considering suicide.The client pleads with the counselor not to tell their parents.According to the ACA Code of Ethics, which of the following is the counselor's primary responsibility?

A counselor is working with a 16-year-old client who reveals they are considering suicide.
The client pleads with the counselor not to tell their parents.
According to the ACA Code of Ethics, which of the following is the counselor's primary responsibility?