OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Scope of Practice Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An Oklahoma Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A long-term client requests to begin Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a modality in which the LPC has only completed introductory readings but has no formal training or supervised experience. According to the Oklahoma Administrative Code, what is the LPC's appropriate course of action?
- Attempt to provide EMDR after informing the client of their limited background and obtaining consent.
- Refer the client to a qualified EMDR therapist while offering to continue CBT for other issues. (Correct answer)
- Agree to provide EMDR but immediately enroll in an online certification course to learn the technique.
- Begin using basic EMDR techniques learned from the readings, as it is within the general scope of counseling.
Correct answer: Refer the client to a qualified EMDR therapist while offering to continue CBT for other issues.
According to the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 86:10-3-2, LPCs must practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, and supervised experience. Practicing a new specialty like EMDR requires receiving the necessary education, training, and supervised experience. The most ethical and compliant action is to refer the client to a competent provider for that specific modality to protect the client from potential harm.
Question 2: Which of the following activities falls squarely within the defined scope of practice for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma, as outlined by state law?
- Prescribing psychotropic medications under the supervision of a physician.
- Representing a client in a child custody hearing as a legal advocate.
- Diagnosing mental and emotional disorders for the purpose of establishing treatment goals. (Correct answer)
- Providing financial investment advice as part of a holistic wellness plan.
Correct answer: Diagnosing mental and emotional disorders for the purpose of establishing treatment goals.
The Oklahoma Licensed Professional Counselors Act and its associated rules explicitly state that the scope of practice includes diagnosing mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders to establish treatment goals and objectives. Prescribing medication, acting as a legal advocate, and providing financial advice are outside the legally defined scope of practice for an LPC.
Question 3: An individual is working under an approved supervision plan to become an LPC in Oklahoma. This individual is referred to as an LPC Candidate. How must this individual represent their professional title to clients and the public?
- LPC Associate
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- LPC Candidate (Correct answer)
- Counselor-in-Training
Correct answer: LPC Candidate
Oklahoma rules are specific about the use of titles. An individual under supervision for licensure is designated as an 'LPC Candidate' and must use this title. They are explicitly prohibited from using the title 'Licensed Professional Counselor' or 'LPC' until they are fully licensed, to avoid misleading the public about their credential status.
Question 4: An Oklahoma LPC obtains extensive post-graduate training and certification in play therapy from a nationally recognized organization. According to Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure rules, how can the LPC advertise this expertise?
- Advertise themselves as an 'LPC, Play Therapy Specialist'.
- Incorporate the title 'Board-Certified Play Therapist' into their official licensure title.
- State they have 'extensive training in play therapy' or 'certification in play therapy'. (Correct answer)
- List 'Specialty: Play Therapy' on their business cards and website.
Correct answer: State they have 'extensive training in play therapy' or 'certification in play therapy'.
The Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC 86:10-3-2(d)) and the LPC Act state that LPCs shall not represent themselves as specialists or claim/advertise a counseling specialty unless that specialty designation has been officially established and approved by the Board. Since 'Play Therapy' is not a Board-designated specialty, the LPC can accurately state their training and certification but cannot use the term 'specialist' or 'specialty' in their advertising.
Question 5: A client asks their LMFT in Oklahoma, who is also a licensed real estate agent, for help selling their house. Engaging in this dual role would be a violation of the scope of practice primarily because it:
- Requires the LMFT to work outside of normal business hours.
- Is not an activity covered by the LMFT's professional liability insurance.
- Violates tax laws regarding commingling of income from different professions.
- Creates a dual relationship that could impair professional judgment and risk client exploitation. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Creates a dual relationship that could impair professional judgment and risk client exploitation.
Oklahoma rules for both LPCs and LMFTs strictly caution against dual relationships (e.g., business, financial, personal) with clients because they can impair the therapist's judgment, blur professional boundaries, and create a risk of exploitation. Entering into a business transaction like acting as a client's real estate agent is a clear example of a prohibited dual relationship that compromises the therapeutic frame.
Question 6: An LPC Candidate is providing counseling services at a community mental health agency. According to Oklahoma rules, what is a key responsibility of their designated on-site supervisor regarding the candidate's practice?
- To provide the candidate with personal psychotherapy to resolve countertransference.
- To be available to the candidate at all times when counseling services are being rendered. (Correct answer)
- To co-sign all of the candidate's personal financial documents.
- To ensure the candidate only works with low-acuity clients.
Correct answer: To be available to the candidate at all times when counseling services are being rendered.
The Oklahoma Administrative Code defines an 'on-site supervisor' as a licensed professional at the candidate's place of employment whose duties include being available to the LPC Candidate at all times when they are providing counseling services. This ensures immediate consultation and client safety. Supervision is distinct from personal therapy, and while a supervisor guides case selection, the primary scope-related rule is availability.
OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Scope of Practice Questions and Answers 1
An Oklahoma Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
A long-term client requests to begin Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a modality in which the LPC has only completed introductory readings but has no formal training or supervised experience.
According to the Oklahoma Administrative Code, what is the LPC's appropriate course of action?