NBCC Professional Orientation, Ethics & Legal Issues 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A counselor discovers that a client is in a romantic relationship with another current client. What is the most ethically appropriate first step?
- Immediately terminate one client
- Consult with a supervisor or colleague about the situation (Correct answer)
- Disclose the conflict to both clients simultaneously
- Continue counseling both clients without intervention
Correct answer: Consult with a supervisor or colleague about the situation
Consulting with a supervisor or colleague helps the counselor navigate the dual-client conflict ethically before taking action.
Question 2: Under HIPAA, a 'covered entity' in mental health counseling primarily refers to:
- Any licensed counselor regardless of practice setting
- Healthcare providers who transmit health information electronically (Correct answer)
- Only hospitals and large medical institutions
- Counselors who accept Medicare only
Correct answer: Healthcare providers who transmit health information electronically
HIPAA defines covered entities as healthcare providers who transmit any health information in electronic form in connection with standard transactions.
Question 3: The ACA Code of Ethics standard on 'informed consent' requires that clients be informed of all EXCEPT:
- The counselor's theoretical orientation
- All details of the counselor's personal life (Correct answer)
- Limits of confidentiality
- Goals and procedures of counseling
Correct answer: All details of the counselor's personal life
Informed consent covers professional information and counseling parameters, not personal details of the counselor's private life.
Question 4: A counselor who works with a client and later begins a social media friendship with that same client without clinical justification is most likely violating which ethical principle?
- Fidelity
- Nonmaleficence
- Boundary maintenance (Correct answer)
- Veracity
Correct answer: Boundary maintenance
Forming social media connections with clients blurs professional boundaries and can harm the therapeutic relationship.
Question 5: When a counselor suspects a colleague is impaired due to substance use, the ACA Code of Ethics recommends the counselor should first:
- Report the colleague to the licensing board immediately
- Attempt to address the issue informally with the colleague when possible (Correct answer)
- Notify all clients of the colleague
- Terminate any collaborative work without discussion
Correct answer: Attempt to address the issue informally with the colleague when possible
The ACA Code of Ethics suggests addressing impairment informally with the colleague first before escalating to formal reporting.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'fidelity' as an ethical principle in counseling?
- Doing good and promoting the welfare of clients
- Honoring commitments and keeping promises made to clients (Correct answer)
- Avoiding actions that cause harm
- Treating all clients equally and fairly
Correct answer: Honoring commitments and keeping promises made to clients
Fidelity refers to being faithful to professional commitments, keeping promises, and being trustworthy in the counseling relationship.
Question 7: A school counselor learns during a session that a 15-year-old student plans to run away from home but is not in immediate danger. The counselor's primary obligation is to:
- Immediately notify police
- Respect the student's confidentiality entirely
- Notify parents or guardians while considering the student's best interests (Correct answer)
- Refer the student to an outside counselor
Correct answer: Notify parents or guardians while considering the student's best interests
In school settings, minor clients' parents generally have legal rights to information, and counselors must balance confidentiality with the minor's welfare.
NBCC Professional Orientation, Ethics & Legal Issues 2
A counselor discovers that a client is in a romantic relationship with another current client.
What is the most ethically appropriate first step?