Psychoanalysis Ethical Standards and Practice 4

Question 1

A patient presents with suicidal ideation but explicitly refuses hospitalization. The analyst's most ethical and clinically appropriate first step is to:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a thorough risk assessment to determine imminence and dangerousness

Answer

Respect patient autonomy and document the refusal without further action

Answer

Immediately call emergency services regardless of the clinical assessment

Answer

Terminate treatment to avoid liability

Question 2

The ethical concept of 'neutrality' in psychoanalysis primarily means the analyst:

Accepted Answer

Maintains an equidistant stance from the patient's id, ego, and superego

Answer

Has no feelings or reactions during sessions

Answer

Never expresses an opinion on any topic the patient raises

Answer

Treats all patients identically regardless of their demographics

Question 3

An analyst is seeing a patient who is also in treatment with another mental health professional without the analyst's knowledge. The ethical course of action upon discovery is to:

Accepted Answer

Explore the meaning of the concurrent treatment within the analysis

Answer

Immediately terminate treatment for breach of the treatment agreement

Answer

Report the other clinician to their licensing board for ethical violation

Answer

Ignore the situation to preserve the therapeutic alliance

Question 4

Which factor most complicates ethical decision-making in online or teletherapy psychoanalytic practice?

Accepted Answer

Jurisdictional licensing requirements across state or national borders

Answer

The inability to use a couch in video sessions

Answer

Patient reluctance to use video technology

Answer

The higher cost of telecommunication platforms

Question 5

A supervisee discloses to their psychoanalytic supervisor that they accidentally revealed a patient's name to a third party. The supervisor's first obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Help the supervisee assess the scope of the breach and plan remediation

Answer

Report the supervisee to the licensing board immediately

Answer

Reassure the supervisee that minor breaches are common and not serious

Answer

Assume control of the case and take over as the treating analyst

Question 6

An analyst who has not kept up with continuing education requirements continues to practice in a specialized area. This constitutes a violation of which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Competence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Fidelity

Answer

Autonomy

Question 7

A patient discloses that they are experiencing physical abuse from a partner. The analyst's ethical and legal obligation depends most on:

Accepted Answer

Whether any children are present in the household

Answer

Whether the analyst personally witnessed the abuse

Answer

Whether the patient is a mandated reporter themselves

Answer

The gender identity of the abusive partner