Professional Practice and Ethics Flashcards

Which situation MOST clearly represents a conflict of interest that requires a counselor to decline or withdraw from a case?

Answer: Counseling the adult child of a close personal friend

Counseling the adult child of a close personal friend creates a dual relationship that compromises objectivity and professional judgment.

Under HIPAA, a 'covered entity' in mental health practice is BEST described as:

Answer: A health care provider who transmits health information electronically in connection with standard transactions

HIPAA defines covered entities as health care providers who transmit protected health information electronically for standard transactions such as billing.

A client in a rural community is the only person who fits a very specific demographic. When writing a case study, the counselor must:

Answer: Obtain written consent and still alter identifying details sufficiently to prevent recognition

Even with consent, counselors must disguise identifying information thoroughly enough that clients cannot be recognized, especially in small communities.

A counselor working in a school setting learns a 16-year-old student is sexually active with a 17-year-old peer. Both parties appear to consent. The counselor should:

Answer: Assess whether state law requires reporting and then follow applicable mandates

Age of consent and mandatory reporting thresholds vary by state, so the counselor must know applicable state law before determining what action is required.

Which of the following is an example of 'beneficence' in clinical practice?

Answer: Using evidence-based interventions most likely to produce positive client outcomes

Beneficence means actively promoting client well-being, most concretely expressed by selecting interventions with demonstrated effectiveness.

A counselor disagrees with a managed care organization's decision to deny further sessions for a client who remains at risk. The ethically appropriate action is to:

Answer: Formally appeal the denial, document the client's risk, and discuss options with the client

Counselors have an ethical duty to advocate for clients through proper appeals processes while keeping clients informed of their options and ongoing risk.

When providing telehealth services, a counselor MUST verify a client's physical location at each session primarily to:

Answer: Ensure the counselor holds a license in the state where the client is physically present

Licensure is state-specific, so a counselor must practice within the jurisdiction where the client is physically located during the session.