Professional Orientation, Ethics & Legal Issues Flashcards
7 cards from real NBCC 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 Orientation, Ethics & Legal Issues flashcards as text
According to the ACA Code of Ethics, a counselor may break confidentiality WITHOUT client consent when:
Answer: The client presents a serious and imminent danger to self or others
Confidentiality may be broken without consent when there is a serious and imminent threat to the life of the client or others.
The term 'privileged communication' in counseling refers to:
Answer: The client's legal right to prevent the counselor from disclosing information in legal proceedings
Privileged communication is a legal concept that protects clients from having their counselor testify about confidential information in court without the client's consent.
A counselor who continues to practice despite knowing they lack competence in treating a specific presenting problem is violating which ethical standard?
Answer: Practicing within one's scope of competence
Counselors must only practice within the boundaries of their competence and refer clients when a presenting problem exceeds their training or skills.
Which of the following is an example of a 'boundary crossing' rather than a 'boundary violation' in counseling?
Answer: Accepting a small gift from a client at the end of treatment in a cultural context where refusal would be harmful
A boundary crossing is a departure from standard practice that may be clinically justifiable, whereas a violation is harmful and unethical.
Mandatory reporting laws require counselors to report suspected child abuse to authorities. This obligation applies:
Answer: Regardless of whether the client consents to the report
Mandatory reporting is a legal obligation that supersedes confidentiality and does not require client consent before the report is made.
The primary purpose of professional licensure for counselors is to:
Answer: Protect the public by ensuring minimum competency standards are met
Licensure exists to protect the public by ensuring practitioners meet established education, supervised experience, and examination standards.
A counselor who uses a theoretical approach that research does not support as effective for a client's presenting problem may be violating the ethical principle of:
Answer: Beneficence
Beneficence requires that counselors actively promote client welfare, which includes using evidence-based approaches appropriate to the client's needs.