PTSD Ethics & Professional Standards 2

Question 1

A PTSD clinician discovers their client is also seeing another therapist without disclosing it. What is the most ethically appropriate first step?

Accepted Answer

Discuss the concurrent treatment openly with the client

Answer

Clinicians should address concurrent treatment directly with the client to coordinate care and maintain therapeutic transparency.

Question 2

Which ethical principle requires PTSD clinicians to accurately represent their training and competencies to clients?

Accepted Answer

Veracity

Answer

Veracity (truthfulness) obligates clinicians to be honest about their qualifications, training, and the nature of their competencies.

Question 3

A PTSD therapist is asked to provide treatment records for a custody dispute. The client has signed a release. What should the therapist do?

Accepted Answer

Release records as authorized by the signed release

Answer

A valid, signed release of information authorizes the clinician to release the specified records to the named party.

Question 4

When treating a veteran with PTSD who expresses passive suicidal ideation, the clinician should FIRST:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment

Answer

A comprehensive suicide risk assessment is the necessary first step to determine the level of risk and appropriate intervention.

Question 5

A clinician uses prolonged exposure with a PTSD client who later claims the treatment caused harm. The clinician's best ethical defense is:

Accepted Answer

The treatment was evidence-based and used with clinical judgment

Answer

Using evidence-based treatments with sound clinical judgment and documented informed consent is the strongest ethical and legal defense.

(PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Certification Practice Test