Professional Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real MFT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Ethics flashcards as text
A client discloses they are having an affair and asks the therapist to keep it secret from their spouse, who is also a client. What is the therapist's most appropriate response?
Answer: Discuss the ethical conflict and consider discontinuing conjoint therapy
When individual secrets create conflicts in conjoint therapy, the therapist should address the ethical dilemma and may need to discontinue treating the couple together.
Which of the following best describes 'informed consent' in the context of MFT practice?
Answer: An ongoing process ensuring clients understand therapy goals, risks, and alternatives
Informed consent is an ongoing process throughout treatment, not merely a signature on an intake form.
An MFT is treating a teenager whose parents are divorcing. The father demands all session notes. What should the therapist do first?
Answer: Consult state law regarding minors' privacy rights and parental access
State laws vary regarding parental rights to access a minor's therapy records, so consulting applicable law is the essential first step.
A therapist realizes mid-session that they have a significant value conflict with a client's lifestyle. The ethical course of action is to:
Answer: Acknowledge the potential for bias and consider consultation or referral if needed
MFTs must recognize when personal values may impair objectivity and seek consultation or referral to protect the client's welfare.
Under HIPAA, which of the following is considered a permissible disclosure without client authorization?
Answer: Sharing information for treatment coordination with another provider
HIPAA permits disclosure for treatment purposes, including coordination of care with other treating providers.
A former client contacts an MFT two years after termination requesting a personal relationship. According to the AAMFT Code of Ethics, the therapist should:
Answer: Evaluate carefully, as sexual relationships with former clients are prohibited for at least two years
The AAMFT Code prohibits sexual intimacy with former clients for at least two years post-termination, and even after two years such relationships require careful ethical scrutiny.
When a client presents a risk of harm to an identifiable third party, the Tarasoff ruling established that therapists have a duty to:
Answer: Take reasonable steps to protect the potential victim
Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California established a duty to protect identifiable potential victims from serious, credible threats.