OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Confidentiality and Privileged Communication Questions and Answers

Question 1

An LPC in Oklahoma is treating a couple, John and Jane, for marital issues.
During an individual session, John discloses that he has been embezzling money from his employer.
Later, the employer's attorney subpoenas the LPC for John's treatment records.
In this situation, the LPC's responsibility regarding the disclosure of information is to:

Accepted Answer

Assert privilege on behalf of John for the individual session records, as the subpoena alone is not sufficient for disclosure.

Answer

Immediately release all records for both John and Jane, as a subpoena is a legal demand.

Answer

Only release the records from the joint sessions, withholding all individual session notes.

Answer

Inform John that he must confess to his employer before the LPC is legally required to turn over the records.

Question 2

Under Oklahoma law, which of the following is an explicit exception to client confidentiality for Licensed Professional Counselors?

Accepted Answer

To prevent a clear and immediate danger of physical harm to a person or persons.

Answer

A request from the client's spouse for information about their partner's treatment.

Answer

A client's disclosure of a past, non-violent felony conviction.

Answer

A formal inquiry from the client's employer regarding their fitness for duty.

Question 3

A therapist is providing services to a 16-year-old client in Oklahoma. The client reveals they are being emotionally and physically abused by a family member. According to Oklahoma's mandatory reporting laws, the therapist must:

Accepted Answer

Report the suspected abuse promptly to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS).

Answer

First get permission from the client before making a report.

Answer

Only report the abuse if the client is willing to testify against the family member.

Answer

Wait for clear and convincing evidence before involving any state agencies.

Question 4

In Oklahoma, the legal concept of 'privileged communication' between a psychotherapist and a patient belongs to whom?

Accepted Answer

The patient, who has the right to refuse disclosure of confidential communications.

Answer

The therapist, who can decide whether to invoke it.

Answer

The court, which holds the privilege in all legal proceedings.

Answer

The licensing board, which oversees the ethical application of privilege.

Question 5

A client in Oklahoma informs their psychologist that they have a specific plan and the means to cause serious bodily harm to a reasonably identifiable person. To meet the 'duty to protect' requirements under Oklahoma law, which of the following actions would be considered a reasonable precaution?

Accepted Answer

Making reasonable efforts to notify the potential victim and/or a law enforcement agency.

Answer

Telling the client that their plan is unethical and exploring its origins.

Answer

Agreeing to keep the threat confidential if the client promises not to act on it.

Answer

Documenting the threat in the client's file and scheduling a follow-up appointment.

Question 6

An LMFT is treating a family in Oklahoma consisting of two parents and their 14-year-old child. The parents provide a written waiver to release the child's therapy records to the school. The child, however, explicitly tells the LMFT they do not want their records shared. What is the LMFT's ethical and legal obligation?

Accepted Answer

Release the records because the parents, as legal guardians, have provided a valid waiver.

Answer

Refuse to release the records because the minor client did not consent.

Answer

Release only the records from sessions where the parents were present.

Answer

Seek a court order before releasing any information to the school.