Ethical & Legal Standards Flashcards

A student who is 17 years old requests that the SAC counselor not tell their parents about their participation in an outpatient substance use treatment program. In most states, the counselor should:

Answer: Check state law, as many states grant minors the right to consent to substance use treatment without parental consent

Many states allow minors above a certain age to consent to substance use treatment independently; the counselor must know the applicable state statute.

Which of the following is considered an example of 'documentation malpractice' in SAC records?

Answer: Writing subjective personal judgments about a student's character as fact

Recording unsubstantiated personal opinions as fact can harm the student, bias future providers, and expose the counselor to legal liability.

A community agency requests that a SAC counselor provide aggregate (non-identifying) data about student substance use trends. This request:

Answer: May be fulfilled without individual consent if all identifying information is removed

Truly de-identified, aggregate data that cannot be traced back to individuals does not constitute a protected educational record under FERPA.

The ethical concept of 'fidelity' in counseling practice PRIMARILY refers to:

Answer: Honoring commitments, being trustworthy, and keeping promises made to clients

Fidelity means being faithful and trustworthy — keeping promises, honoring the therapeutic relationship, and acting with integrity.

A SAC counselor who is also a licensed social worker is asked to complete a Medicaid reimbursement form for a student's school-based counseling sessions. The counselor should ensure that:

Answer: Services billed were actually provided and accurately documented

Accurate billing is an ethical and legal requirement; falsifying or exaggerating services constitutes fraud and violates both professional ethics and federal law.

When working with a culturally diverse student population, ethical SAC practice requires the counselor to:

Answer: Develop cultural competence and adapt practices to respect diverse cultural values

Ethical codes require counselors to develop cultural competence and recognize how cultural context shapes students' values, behaviors, and responses to counseling.

If a SAC counselor is unsure whether a situation requires a mandatory report, the BEST course of action is to:

Answer: Consult with a supervisor or legal counsel while acting conservatively to protect the student

When uncertain about reporting obligations, counselors should seek consultation and err on the side of child protection, since failure to report carries legal and ethical consequences.