Ethical and Legal Standards Flashcards
6 cards from real LPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Ethical and Legal Standards flashcards as text
A counselor sees a client who mentions that their spouse physically abused their child last week. The counselor's mandatory reporting obligation requires them to:
Answer: Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate child protective services agency
Mandatory reporters must report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authority promptly — they do not need to confirm or investigate before reporting.
The principle of justice in the ACA Code of Ethics means that counselors should:
Answer: Provide equal and fair treatment to all clients regardless of background
Justice requires counselors to treat all clients fairly and equitably, ensuring equal access to services regardless of personal characteristics.
A counselor is treating a client who discloses using marijuana recreationally in a state where it is legal. Ethically, the counselor should:
Answer: Address the disclosure within the therapeutic relationship and assess its impact on wellbeing
When legal recreational substance use is disclosed, the ethical approach is to explore its impact on the client's wellbeing and functioning within the therapeutic relationship.
A former client contacts a counselor six months after termination seeking a romantic relationship. According to the ACA Code of Ethics, the counselor should:
Answer: Consider the nature of the counseling relationship and wait at least five years before any involvement
The ACA Code of Ethics prohibits sexual or romantic relationships with former clients for at least five years post-termination and requires demonstrating no exploitation even after five years.
A client explicitly waives their right to confidentiality and gives consent for the counselor to speak with their employer. This is an example of:
Answer: Authorized release of information
When a client voluntarily signs a release of information form, any subsequent disclosure is an authorized release, not a breach of confidentiality.
Under HIPAA, which of the following constitutes Protected Health Information (PHI)?
Answer: Session notes that include the client's name and diagnosis
PHI includes individually identifiable health information such as session notes containing a client's name and diagnosis that are transmitted or maintained in any form.