LSP Ethics & Professional Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A psychologist is treating a client who discloses plans to harm a specific, identifiable third party. Under the Tarasoff duty, what is the psychologist's primary obligation?
- Maintain confidentiality and document the threat in the record
- Warn the identifiable victim and notify law enforcement (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate the therapeutic relationship
- Consult a supervisor before taking any action
Correct answer: Warn the identifiable victim and notify law enforcement
The Tarasoff ruling established that psychologists have a duty to protect identifiable third parties from serious, credible threats, which typically includes warning the potential victim and notifying authorities.
Question 2: A psychologist maintains a social media profile that includes personal opinions on controversial political topics. An ethics board complaint alleges this harms the profession. Which APA Ethics Code principle is most relevant?
- Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
- Fidelity and Responsibility (Correct answer)
- Integrity
- Respect for People's Rights and Dignity
Correct answer: Fidelity and Responsibility
Principle B (Fidelity and Responsibility) addresses psychologists' obligation to uphold professional standards and be aware that their behavior reflects on the profession.
Question 3: A licensed psychologist is asked to provide expert testimony in a child custody case involving a family they have never treated. What is the most ethically appropriate approach?
- Decline unless they conduct a proper forensic evaluation of all relevant parties (Correct answer)
- Accept if they can review existing records from the family's current therapist
- Testify based on general psychological knowledge about child development
- Accept only if compensated at the standard forensic rate
Correct answer: Decline unless they conduct a proper forensic evaluation of all relevant parties
Forensic testimony about specific individuals requires a proper evaluation; testifying without adequate basis violates competence and accuracy standards in forensic roles.
Question 4: A psychologist's client asks them to write a letter to the client's employer stating the client is 'psychologically fit for duty' after only two sessions. What is the most ethical response?
- Write the letter since the client gave informed consent to release information
- Decline because two sessions are insufficient to render a fitness-for-duty opinion (Correct answer)
- Write the letter with a disclaimer that the evaluation was limited
- Transfer the client to another psychologist who can complete the evaluation faster
Correct answer: Decline because two sessions are insufficient to render a fitness-for-duty opinion
Rendering fitness-for-duty opinions requires comprehensive evaluation; providing such an opinion after only two sessions would exceed the psychologist's evidentiary basis and violate competence standards.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'informed consent' as required by the APA Ethics Code?
- A signed form documenting that the client received a disclosure statement
- An ongoing process ensuring clients understand services, limits, and their rights (Correct answer)
- Verbal agreement from the client before each session begins
- Legal authorization obtained from the court for involuntary treatment
Correct answer: An ongoing process ensuring clients understand services, limits, and their rights
Informed consent is an ongoing process, not a one-time event, that requires clients to understand the nature of services, anticipated course, fees, confidentiality limits, and their right to withdraw.
Question 6: A psychologist discovers that a colleague is regularly billing insurance companies for sessions that did not occur. The psychologist's most appropriate first step is to:
- Report the colleague directly to the state licensing board
- Confront the colleague informally to resolve the matter if feasible (Correct answer)
- Report the colleague to the insurance company's fraud hotline
- Document the behavior and wait to see if it continues
Correct answer: Confront the colleague informally to resolve the matter if feasible
The APA Ethics Code Standard 1.04 indicates psychologists should attempt informal resolution when it does not violate confidentiality and when doing so is appropriate, before escalating to formal channels.
Question 7: A psychologist working in a rural area is the only available mental health provider within 100 miles. A former client from five years ago requests therapy for a new issue. What ethical framework best guides this situation?
- Former clients can never be seen again, so the request must be declined
- Apply a risk-benefit analysis weighing client welfare against potential harm from the prior relationship (Correct answer)
- Accept immediately since the prior relationship ended more than two years ago
- Refer to an online therapist to avoid any dual-relationship concerns
Correct answer: Apply a risk-benefit analysis weighing client welfare against potential harm from the prior relationship
In rural or underserved settings, the APA Ethics Code acknowledges that role overlaps may be unavoidable, requiring psychologists to use judgment and weigh potential harm against the client's need for services.
LSP Ethics & Professional Standards 2
A psychologist is treating a client who discloses plans to harm a specific, identifiable third party.
Under the Tarasoff duty, what is the psychologist's primary obligation?