Ethics & Cultural Competency in Practice Flashcards

A play therapist receives a subpoena for a child client's treatment records. The MOST appropriate initial response is to:

Answer: Contact the client's attorney or guardian and consult with legal counsel before releasing records

A subpoena does not automatically override confidentiality; the therapist should consult legal counsel and, where applicable, the client's guardian or attorney before releasing records.

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'assent' in play therapy with children?

Answer: The child's voluntary agreement to participate in treatment, appropriate to their developmental level

Assent refers to a developmentally appropriate process of explaining therapy to the child and seeking their willing participation, distinct from the legal consent provided by guardians.

A play therapist working with a refugee child notices the child's drawing repeatedly depicts scenes of violence. Cultural competence requires the therapist to FIRST:

Answer: Interpret the drawings through the lens of the child's trauma and cultural background before drawing conclusions

Culturally competent trauma-informed practice requires understanding that a refugee child's violent imagery likely reflects witnessed or experienced war trauma, not current abuse, and should be understood within that context.

According to the APT Code of Ethics, play therapists must obtain informed consent PRIMARILY to:

Answer: Respect client autonomy and ensure clients can make knowledgeable decisions about treatment

Informed consent is fundamentally an ethical requirement that honors client autonomy by ensuring clients understand the nature of treatment, risks, benefits, and alternatives.

A play therapist working with an Asian American family notices the parents are reluctant to discuss the child's emotional struggles openly. The therapist should recognize this MOST likely reflects:

Answer: Cultural values around privacy, family honor, and stigma related to mental health

Many Asian American families hold cultural values around privacy and family reputation that can create reluctance to openly discuss mental health, which the culturally competent therapist should recognize and address sensitively.

A play therapist who is experiencing significant personal stress notices it is affecting their clinical judgment. The MOST ethical response is to:

Answer: Seek personal therapy, consult with supervisors, and limit practice if impairment persists

Ethical codes require therapists to monitor their own wellness, seek appropriate help, and limit or suspend practice if personal difficulties impair their ability to provide competent care.

When adapting play therapy materials for a child from a low socioeconomic background, the MOST culturally competent approach is to:

Answer: Incorporate culturally familiar, accessible materials that reflect the child's lived experience

Culturally responsive practice includes using materials that are meaningful and familiar to the child's cultural and economic background to enhance therapeutic engagement and relevance.