Psychoanalysis Ethical Standards and Practice 5

Question 1

Which of the following most accurately describes 'termination of treatment' from an ethical standpoint?

Accepted Answer

Termination requires adequate notice, referral options, and clinical preparation

Answer

Treatment should end only when the patient reports feeling fully recovered

Answer

The analyst may terminate at will with no obligation to the patient

Answer

Treatment ends automatically when insurance benefits are exhausted

Question 2

A patient reveals during session that they committed a crime for which another person was wrongly convicted. The analyst's ethical obligation to maintain confidentiality:

Accepted Answer

Generally holds unless there is an ongoing imminent threat to an identifiable person

Answer

Is automatically overridden because a crime was committed

Answer

Requires reporting to law enforcement regardless of the circumstances

Answer

Is suspended when the patient discusses any illegal activity

Question 3

An analyst conducts research using de-identified case material from their clinical practice. Which ethical requirement is most critical?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining proper IRB or ethics review board approval before proceeding

Answer

Publishing only in peer-reviewed journals to ensure quality

Answer

Ensuring the research proves the analyst's theoretical orientation

Answer

Limiting publication to professional audiences only

Question 4

In psychoanalytic ethics, the 'frame' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The consistent structural boundaries of the treatment including time, place, and fee

Answer

The physical decor of the analyst's office

Answer

The theoretical framework used to interpret patient material

Answer

The written treatment contract signed at intake

Question 5

A patient from a cultural background where gift-giving is a deep sign of respect insists on bringing small gifts each session. The most ethically nuanced response is to:

Accepted Answer

Explore the meaning within a culturally sensitive context while maintaining the analytic frame

Answer

Accept all gifts without comment to avoid cultural insensitivity

Answer

Refuse all gifts and apply a standard Western analytic frame rigidly

Answer

Terminate treatment and refer to a culturally matched analyst

Question 6

Which describes the most ethically problematic aspect of analyzing a supervisee in personal analysis?

Accepted Answer

The dual role creates a power imbalance that compromises both supervision and analysis

Answer

The supervisee may learn the analyst's theoretical biases

Answer

Personal analysis is not appropriate for training candidates

Answer

The supervisee may become too dependent on the analyst-supervisor

Question 7

When a patient's treatment is interrupted due to the analyst's sudden illness, the primary ethical obligation of the analyst's colleagues is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide continuity of care to the analyst's patients until the analyst recovers or makes permanent arrangements

Answer

Ensure patient records are preserved in a secure location

Answer

Contact patients to inform them of the analyst's diagnosis

Answer

Bill patients for missed sessions during the analyst's absence