NCMHCE - National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination Professional Practice and Ethics 2

Question 1

A licensed counselor receives a subpoena for a client's therapy records. What is the counselor's FIRST ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Contact the client to inform them and discuss options

Answer

The counselor's first obligation is to inform the client about the subpoena and discuss their options, including the possibility of asserting privilege.

Question 2

A counselor's former client, whom they terminated with 18 months ago, asks the counselor on a date. According to the ACA Code of Ethics, which response is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Decline, as romantic relationships with former clients are prohibited for 5 years

Answer

The ACA Code of Ethics requires a minimum 5-year waiting period after termination before any romantic relationship with a former client.

Question 3

A counselor discovers that a colleague is practicing under impairment due to substance abuse. According to the ACA Code of Ethics, what is the counselor's obligation?

Accepted Answer

Encourage the colleague to seek help and address the impairment

Answer

The ACA Code of Ethics requires counselors to first assist impaired colleagues by encouraging them to seek help, with reporting as a subsequent step if needed.

Question 4

In a managed care environment, an insurance company denies continued authorization for a client who the counselor believes still needs treatment. What is the counselor's PRIMARY ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Advocate for the client by appealing the denial and documenting medical necessity

Answer

The counselor has an ethical obligation to advocate for the client's continued treatment by appealing insurance denials and documenting medical necessity.

Question 5

A counselor is asked to provide expert testimony in a child custody case for a family they are counseling. What is the MOST ethically appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Decline and recommend an independent custody evaluator

Answer

Serving as both therapist and forensic evaluator represents a harmful dual role. The counselor should recommend an independent evaluator.

NCMHCE - National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination Practice Test

NCMHCE - National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination Practice Test

NCMHCE - National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination Professional Practice and Ethics 2