LPCC Scope of Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An LPCC is asked by a court to provide a forensic psychological evaluation including neuropsychological testing. Which action is most appropriate?
- Complete the evaluation since LPCCs serve court systems
- Decline and refer to a licensed psychologist trained in forensic and neuropsychological assessment (Correct answer)
- Conduct the counseling portion only and defer the testing to a psychologist
- Accept if the LPCC has attended one continuing education workshop on forensic evaluation
Correct answer: Decline and refer to a licensed psychologist trained in forensic and neuropsychological assessment
Neuropsychological and forensic psychological evaluations fall outside the LPCC scope of practice and require referral to an appropriately trained psychologist.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the primary distinction between an LPCC and a licensed psychologist regarding assessment?
- LPCCs may administer projective tests; psychologists may not
- LPCCs focus on counseling-based assessments; psychologists are trained in standardized psychological testing and diagnosis of complex disorders (Correct answer)
- LPCCs can diagnose personality disorders; psychologists diagnose only mood disorders
- There is no meaningful distinction in assessment scope between the two licenses
Correct answer: LPCCs focus on counseling-based assessments; psychologists are trained in standardized psychological testing and diagnosis of complex disorders
Psychologists receive specialized training in standardized psychological testing, distinguishing their assessment scope from that of LPCCs.
Question 3: A client discloses active suicidal ideation with a plan. Under LPCC scope of practice, what is the counselor's primary obligation?
- Immediately terminate services and notify the licensing board
- Conduct a risk assessment, apply crisis intervention skills, and coordinate appropriate level of care (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a psychiatrist without conducting any assessment
- Document the disclosure and continue with the scheduled session topic
Correct answer: Conduct a risk assessment, apply crisis intervention skills, and coordinate appropriate level of care
Crisis assessment and intervention are within LPCC scope, and the counselor must assess risk and coordinate care to ensure client safety.
Question 4: Which medication-related activity is within the scope of an LPCC?
- Prescribing psychotropic medication
- Adjusting a client's existing medication dosage
- Providing psychoeducation about how a prescribed medication may affect mood (Correct answer)
- Ordering laboratory tests to monitor medication side effects
Correct answer: Providing psychoeducation about how a prescribed medication may affect mood
LPCCs may provide psychoeducation about medications but cannot prescribe, adjust dosages, or order medical tests.
Question 5: An LPCC working in a school setting is asked to provide academic tutoring to a struggling student. This request is:
- Within scope if the counselor holds a teaching credential
- Outside the LPCC's professional scope, which focuses on mental health and counseling services (Correct answer)
- Within scope because school LPCCs must support all student needs
- Outside scope only if the student has an active IEP
Correct answer: Outside the LPCC's professional scope, which focuses on mental health and counseling services
Academic tutoring is an educational function, not a mental health service, and falls outside the LPCC professional scope.
Question 6: A client asks their LPCC to serve as a paid life coach concurrently with ongoing therapy. The LPCC should:
- Accept, as life coaching is unregulated and does not conflict with counseling
- Decline due to the dual relationship and role confusion that could harm the therapeutic alliance (Correct answer)
- Accept only if the client signs an informed consent waiver
- Accept if the coaching sessions focus on career goals rather than mental health
Correct answer: Decline due to the dual relationship and role confusion that could harm the therapeutic alliance
Serving as both therapist and paid life coach creates a dual relationship that compromises objectivity and can harm the client.
Question 7: Which of the following falls within the LPCC scope of practice for group work?
- Facilitating a psychotherapy group for clients with schizophrenia without psychiatric backup
- Facilitating a process group for adults managing anxiety and depression in an outpatient setting (Correct answer)
- Leading a group that uses EMDR protocols without additional EMDR certification
- Conducting a group pharmacotherapy session alongside a prescriber
Correct answer: Facilitating a process group for adults managing anxiety and depression in an outpatient setting
Facilitating process-oriented psychotherapy groups for common mental health conditions in outpatient settings is within LPCC scope.
LPCC Scope of Practice 2
An LPCC is asked by a court to provide a forensic psychological evaluation including neuropsychological testing.
Which action is most appropriate?