OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Dual Relationships and Boundaries Questions and Answers

Question 1

An LPC's client, a skilled electrician experiencing financial difficulties, offers to rewire the LPC's new office in exchange for four counseling sessions. According to Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 86:10-3-3.1 regarding bartering, under which condition might this be permissible?

Accepted Answer

If the arrangement is not exploitative, a written contract is created, it is an accepted community practice, and the client insists on it.

Answer

The Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 86:10-3-3.1(b) specifies that LPCs may barter for tangible goods if the relationship is not exploitative, the client requests it, a clear written contract is established, and it's an accepted practice in the community. This question is a slight variation, as the code explicitly prohibits bartering for services rendered by the client, only allowing for tangible goods. However, among the choices provided, the first option contains the core principles (non-exploitation, client request, contract, community practice) that govern the limited allowance of bartering for tangible goods, making it the most correct answer reflecting the spirit and specific requirements of the bartering rule.

Question 2

Which of the following social media policies is most consistent with an Oklahoma LPC's duty to maintain professional boundaries and prevent dual relationships?

Accepted Answer

Creating separate professional and personal social media pages and declining all connection requests from current clients on personal accounts.

Answer

Maintaining separate professional and personal social media accounts and not engaging in personal online relationships with current clients is a critical boundary. This practice prevents the blurring of lines between the therapeutic relationship and a personal one, which constitutes a dual relationship and can compromise confidentiality and professional judgment. The ACA Code of Ethics, which Oklahoma's rules align with, supports this separation to protect clients.

Question 3

An approved LPC Supervisor in Oklahoma begins to develop a close personal friendship with one of their LPC Candidates, including frequent social outings and sharing intimate personal details. According to the OAC, this relationship is problematic primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Is a prohibited dual relationship that can impair professional judgment and increase the risk of exploitation.

Answer

OAC 86:10-3-4.1 states that LPCs shall avoid dual relationships with supervisees that impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation, providing 'close personal relationships' as a specific example. The inherent power differential in the supervisory relationship makes such friendships ethically hazardous, as the supervisor's objectivity can be compromised and the supervisee may feel unable to be fully transparent for fear of damaging the friendship.

Question 4

A client offers their LPC a small, handmade painting at their final session as a token of gratitude. The LPC estimates its monetary value to be less than $25. What is the LPC's most ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Assess the gift's meaning to the client, its clinical implications, and the motivation behind it before deciding whether to accept.

Answer

Ethical codes do not have a strict prohibition on accepting gifts of small, nominal value. The standard of practice is for the counselor to use professional judgment. This involves considering the gift's value, the client's motivation, the cultural context, and the potential impact on the therapeutic relationship. A small, appropriate token of appreciation at termination may be acceptable if it does not create a boundary issue.

Question 5

Three years after therapy has terminated, an LPC's former client enrolls in a graduate program and is assigned to a class taught by the LPC. According to Oklahoma's rules on dual relationships, what is the LPC's primary ethical obligation?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the prior relationship, discuss potential conflicts, and take steps to ensure objectivity and prevent exploitation.

Answer

While OAC 86:10-3-4 prohibits sexual relationships with former clients for five years and entering into close personal or business dealings for five years, other dual relationships can occur. When an unavoidable dual relationship arises, the LPC's responsibility is to manage it ethically. This involves acknowledging the situation, discussing potential issues with the former client (now student), maintaining clear boundaries, and taking all necessary steps to prevent exploitation and ensure professional judgment is not impaired.

OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Exam Practice Test

OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Exam Practice Test

OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Dual Relationships and Boundaries Questions and Answers