A 13-year-old client with anxiety returns to therapy after a month at summer camp in Nevada. The client reports that his camp counselor exposed himself to the kids in his cabin and fondled the client at night. The client does not want his parents to know
C...Rationale: A child abuse report must be filed because child abuse occurred and it must be filed in California because that is where the therapist is licensed to practice so C is the correct answer.
After meeting with a Japanese-American family for several months, the family has experienced improvements in communication and their children's' behavior has improved. The parents give the therapist a gift card in appreciation of the good work with the fa
B...Rationale: The reason B is the best answer is because there is no indication of the cash value of the card so the best response would be to decline the card. The other issue here is that, unlike other types of gifts that may have cultural meaning, a g
During a family therapy session, the therapist notices that both the 6-year-old and the 4-year-old children have bandages on their hands. The mother discloses tearfully that she can't trust her 16-year-old stepson to stay alone with her young children bec
C...Rationale: Answer C is the correct answer because this situation would require a mandated report as the older child is much older and it was not mutual fighting. The children were clearly injured from the incident so there is enough reasonable suspici
A therapist runs an anger management group at a community mental health agency. A group member meets with the therapist individually, to complain that another group member shared confidential information outside of the group. Ethically, how should the the
A...Rationale: The best answer is A. Like couple's therapy, you want to direct the person to bring the issue up in the group session. As the leader you would help facilitate that discussion but you would not want to be the one who brings it up as it would
A therapist begins an assessment with a mother and her 13-year-old son. During the course of the assessment, the therapist learns that the mother has previously used a belt to discipline the son for breaking curfew. The mother and son insist that a child
B...Rationale: If a client discloses abuse and reports that it has already gone through CPS, the therapist must confirm that the report was already made or file it him/herself. Each new incident of abuse must be filed even if the client is already in the
A therapist has been meeting with a client for several months. The client has been using his insurance and is struggling financially after his wife lost her job. He asks the therapist to temporarily waive his co-pay, since he can no longer afford to pay i
D...Rationale: You would want to appeal the decision so that gets it down to B and D. D is better because it would be important to discuss the fee options as soon as possible in the event the insurance denies again.
A preschool mental health consultant meets with a teacher who is concerned about one of her 4-year-old students. The teacher reports that the child has become increasingly aggressive with peers, has started wetting the bed during naptime, and has come to
A...Rationale: There is enough here for reasonable suspicion of child abuse so the best answer is A. The teacher is also a mandated reporter so she may be the one to make the report but the therapist can also make the report. Just because another mandated
A therapist meets with a 25-year-old woman who lives at home with her parents. The client reports feeling extremely depressed, has a history of self-harm, and after a suicide assessment, the therapist determines she is at a high risk of serious self-harm.
B. Initiate a 5150 because the client may need to be hospitalized.
Rationale: The therapist "determines this is at a high risk for serious self-harm", this would be the time to initiate a 5150. They may determine she does not need to be hospitalized, but
A 13-year old boy discloses a history of sexual abuse. He informs the therapist that his former therapist touched him during several sessions to demonstrate what is appropriate versus sexually inappropriate touch. What actions should the therapist take to
C. Report to CPS and process it with client.
Rationale: The best answer is C. The information shared by the boy points to sexual abuse, which requires the therapist to make a child abuse report, answer C. Answer A and D are incorrect because they do not a
A therapist working in a community agency receives a referral for a child with severe PTSD from sexual abuse. The therapist has no training or experience treating children with PTSD from sexual abuse. The therapist should:
Response:
A. Attend a training o
Rationale: C is the best answer for this particular client because it is outside of the scope of competence of the therapist. Neither attending a training nor seeking consultation would be adequate for this type of case, so A and D are out. B is wrong bec
After referring a client to an acupuncturist for treatment the acupuncturist calls the therapist and invites him to lunch to discuss how they can work together. He tells the therapist that he is willing to pay for referrals. How should the therapist manag
C. Inform him that he cannot accept payment for referrals.
Rationale: C is the best answer because it is illegal to take kick-backs for referrals. A and D are engaging in unethical and illegal behavior. B is not the addressing the issue of payment for ref
A younger therapist has been treating a 60-year-old Navajo woman for 3 months and has a particularly ground-breaking session. At the next session, she arrives with a gift, a beautiful handmade blanket. After the therapist explains that it would be unethic
B. Accepted the gift and discussed its significance.
Rationale: It is not unethical to accept gifts. In this case, B is the better way to respond to handmade gift.
During the sixth session with a 64-year-old man he breaks down in tears while discussing his relationship with his estranged 40-year-old son. He confesses that when his son was younger the client was physically abusive to his son on a number of occasions,
Answer: D.
Rationale: You would not report child abuse if the victim is no longer a minor. There is no indication that the client is currently abusing any children. This leaves you with A and D. D is better because it addresses the legal obligations, wher
A therapist has been treating a 42 year-old, single man for five months. The client is a successful partner at a prestigious law firm. For the past month, the client has noticed improvements in his mood and his relationships with others. Around the holida
Answer: D
Rationale: D is practicing the standard of care when considering accepting a gift. Consideration of monetary value of the gift is stated in the ethical guidelines and the value of wine can vary greatly.
A therapist at a mental health clinic meets with a single mother who recently moved back in with her mom and step-dad after losing her job. She reports that her stepdad has been threatening to kick her out of the house if she does not contribute more to t
Answer: C.
Rationale: The answer is C because it allows the therapist to assess potential safety concerns for the client and/or her children. There is not enough evidence to warrant a call to police or developing of a safety plan at this time thus B and D
A therapist attends a group consultation. Another therapist begins presenting a case and based on the information the therapist realizes that she is friends with the client. How should the therapist deal with the realization?
A. Disclose to the group that
Rationale: C is the only answer that doesn't violate or risk violation of confidentiality.
A long-term client comes to therapy and reports that he has been evicted and is in need of housing immediately. The therapist's brother owns an apartment building and has an available unit he's been struggling to rent. The therapist should:
A. Provide the
Rationale: C is the only answer that does not risk an inappropriate dual relationship with the client. Consider the implications of your client renting an apartment from your brother-in-law.
A client seeks therapy to help deal with problems with a roommate. After two sessions, the therapist realizes that the client's roommate is a personal friend who has often confided in the therapist about difficulties with this relationship. How should the
Rationale: C is the best answer since the client has come to therapy to specifically discuss the issues with the roommate. It would be impossible for the therapist to not be biased when hearing about these same issues from her friend. B is not a good answ
A long-term client being treated for bipolar disorder announces her pregnancy and her intent to continue taking lithium medication despite possible negative effects to the fetus. Her psychiatrist has informed her of the consequences but agreed to continue
D
Rationale: In this scenario the therapists should manage countertransference, answer D. There is no reason to be perplexed as the client has a good reason to want to stay on her meds and is being monitored by a psychiatrist. There is no reason to share
A client receives treatment for substance abuse by a therapist who is a recovering alcoholic. During the course of this client's treatment, the therapist begins to experience cravings and begins to use alcohol after sessions with this client. Which of the
C.
Rationale: The therapist needs to address their own relapse first therefore C is the best answer. The other answers do not address the therapist getting the help that is needed. Answer A could be seen as abandoning the client. B is a possibility after
A woman calls a therapist at an agency and informs the therapist that her brother received therapy from another therapist in the same agency and a business relationship developed between that therapist and the client's brother. How should the therapist ma
C
Rationale: When dealing with ethical violations of colleagues it is always advised to first go to the colleague and express your concern therefore answer C is the best answer.
A therapist is meeting with a 16-year-old boy who reports he recently broke into his parents locked liquor cabinet when they were sleeping and got drunk. What legal responsibilities does the therapist have in this case?
Response:
A. File a report with CPS
B.
Rationale: The best answer is B. If you shared this info with the parents (C) you would undermine the therapy relationship. It is better to maintain confidentiality complete a full risk assessment to determine how serious the issue is.
A licensed therapist moves to another city in a different part of the state and relocates his private practice. What are his legal obligations in this case?
Response:
A. Maintain the same system he was previously using for record keeping.
B. Provide all o
Rationale: C is the right answer. 30 days is the standard time you need to notify the BBS of name or address changes or convictions.
Wrong
A therapist lowered his fee for a client following the client losing his job. The client informs the therapist that he was able to find a new job that pays even more than his former job. The therapist would like to raise fees now that the client's financi
B.
Rationale: Ethically, therapists are permitted to raise fees after adjusting them to meet a client's needs. Prior to adjusting the fees, the therapist should assess the client's situation and, with the client, agree on an acceptable timeline, making an
A therapist has terminated with her client due to presenting issue being outside the therapist's scope of competence. The client was provided with a referral and has a first session with the new therapist scheduled. Prior to meeting with the new therapist
B
Rationale: Answer B is the best option. While the therapist and client terminated, the client is in crisis and needs immediate assistance. In this case the therapist initiated the termination, so to avoid abandonment you'd want to do B.
A 14-year-old girl consents to her own treatment after the therapist determined it would not be appropriate to involve parents. After several sessions, the girl tells the therapist that she would like to include her mother in treatment. How should the the
A.
Rationale: The client who consented to treatment is responsible for fees, answer A. Involving the mother in treatment does not change the fee agreement.
An 83-year-old man is brought to therapy by his conservator. The conservator is concerned the man is experiencing symptoms of depression and could benefit from therapy. Legally, who should sign the consent?
Response:
A. Client
B. Conservator
C. Client's d
B
Rationale: The conservator must sign the consent. It would be good to have client sign as well, but the conservator must sign.
A therapist receives a phone call from a former client requesting access to his records. The therapist terminated with the client several months back due to lack of payment and sent the client's information to a collection's agency in an effort to collect
D
Rationale: The client has a right to the records in spite of the lack of payment for services. Allowing 5 business days and having a written request is protocol for accessing records, therefore D is the best answer.
A therapist is treating a client with a history of suicide attempts and multiple hospitalizations. During a session, the client reports a plan to take all his prescription medications at once. He refuses to contact his psychiatrist. How should the therapi
Rationale: D is the correct answer because the client has a plan, means and a history of suicide attempts. A, B, and C are not enough to protect the client in this situation.
A therapist has been treating a 16-year-old girl for depression and social phobia. The client recently shared that she is being bullied at school by some older girls. The following day her mother calls the therapist and reports that she thinks her daughte
D. Rationale: Due to the potential medical crisis in this scenario D is the correct answer. All of the other answers do not address the immediate medical attention that may be necessary. C is out of scope of practice to determine effects of medication.
During a session with a 16-year-old, a therapist learns that the client has been having strong suicidal ideation for the last week. The client has a tentative plan and access to means. What should the therapist do to manage the legal and ethical obligatio
B.
Rationale: The best place to start is B. When treating a minor with suicidal risk, the parents should be included in the discussion unless there is potential harm to the client if they know. If the client refused B, then A would be the next step. C and
A therapist at a women's shelter is asked to see a woman in crisis who has been abused by her husband. The woman enters the therapist's office stating that she plans to return home in the morning and "just needed to spend the night somewhere else and talk
Rationale: D is the correct answer because it addresses safety concerns for the client. Since the client has stated she is not staying it is important that in this one counseling encounter the therapist has with this client they collaborate on ways the cl
A therapist has been working with a Mexican American family to address communication problems and recent loss of the grandmother. At the beginning of a session, the mother gives the therapist an assortment of freshly baked home goods and expresses her app
...Rationale: A is the best answer. A gift of home baked goods is not of high monetary value, also this answer includes the processing of the gesture which can often lead to valuable therapeutic interaction.
A therapist is completing a psychosocial assessment with a 45-year-old woman. While asking about the client's current stressors, the therapist learns that the client has been out of work for the past year. The client also reports that she has been emotion
...Rationale: A is the best answer because the therapist needs to FIRST help the woman establish a safety plan before other steps can be taken. B would not help the client stay safe. D may need to be done but only after a safety plan has been created. C i
A 23-year-old female client with a diagnosis of Bipolar I informs her therapist that her father is petitioning the court to be appointed her conservator. The client does not agree with her father's position and asks the therapist to evaluate her and testi
B...Rationale: It is not within the therapist's scope of practice to provide testing and evaluation for this client, therefore B is the only answer that indicates the therapist's inability to move forward with the request.
A client calls the therapist and requests access to her records. The therapist determines that there is no reason to withhold access. Legally, the therapist should comply with the request within which time frame?
Response:
A. 2 days to inspect; 5 days for
B.Rationale: Answer B is the timeframe indicated for providing a client with their records...
A school therapist has been meeting with a 16-year-old boy who has been experiencing academic difficulties at school. During the second meeting, the teen reports that he has been having difficulties concentrating in school due to an intimate relationship
...Rationale: A is the best answer before moving forward with a decision about how to respond to the parents request. The boy has a right to confidentiality even though parents consented for treatment. The therapist has the right to refuse the request if
A client seeks therapy for the first time. During the initial session, the therapist learns that the client's father committed suicide four years ago that month. The client shares that he wonders if his father did the right thing because life is so hard.
A...Rationale: The answer is A because this assesses if the client could be suicidal. After the therapist determines if the client has thoughts of hurting himself then B, C, and D may follow.
A therapist has been seeing a client diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder for several years. The client requests access to her therapy records to figure out "just how crazy" she is. The therapist refuses her request after determining it would be
...Rationale: B is the best answer. Client has given up confidentiality by committing a crime against the therapist, therefore a call to police is warranted. When any client's confidential information has been violated it is advised that the therapist ale
A therapist is named in a professional will and after a colleague passes away suddenly the therapist inherits the colleagues clients and files. When reviewing the files of current clients, the therapist notes that the colleague did not keep records accord
C...Rationale: Answer A is illegal. You cannot modify past notes, whether they are yours or someone else's. There is no reason to do B or D. If the client requests a copy of their old records from the past therapist, the new therapist should determine whe
A couple in therapy receives notice from insurance that sessions are not covered. They ask the therapist to change the diagnosis so they can be reimbursed. How should the therapist respond?
Response:
A. Change diagnosis.
B. Appeal decision of insurance co
C...Rationale: C is the correct answer. It is illegal, not only unethical, to change the diagnosis for the sole purpose of obtaining insurance benefits. B is a possibility but it doesn't address the question that the client has asked.
A client is moving and requests a copy of her records. If the therapist is a HIPAA covered entity he must:
Response:
A. Obtain a signed waiver of privilege.
B. Inform the client of any possible negative outcomes of releasing records.
Should have chosen
C.
...C. Rationale: C is protocol when the therapist is HIPAA compliant.
A 75-year-old man has been in counseling for five months for depression. He has developed a good relationship with the therapist and he has been making significant progress in recent months. The client lives on a fixed income and reports that his rent has
...Rationale: B is the best answer since the client has been in therapy for five months for depression and there has been progress it is not advisable to abruptly end treatment which is suggested in A. It is not the therapist's business to pursue C. D is
A therapist is contacted by a representative of the managed care company to conduct a utilization review. The representative requests specific details about the sexual abuse incidents the client experienced. The therapist should FIRST:
Response:
A. Refuse
...Rationale: D is the correct answer in order to comply with confidentiality of the client and the utilization review guidelines the therapist should review the contract before providing any information. This is the first step before proceeding with any
A client seeks therapy for depression. She shares with the therapist that she doesn't have the money to pay for therapy and wants to know if the therapist will bill her under her sister's insurance. How should the therapist proceed?
A. Agree to her reques
C. Rationale: It would be illegal for the therapist to bill under the client's sisters insurance. Therefore, A and B are both incorrect. C is the best answer to continue to support the client but not engage in illegal activity. D is a bit harsh as the cli
A therapist and a colleague share an office suite and decide to joint advertise in a local magazine. Joint advertising is:
Response:
A. Illegal and unethical
B. Legal and Ethical as long as they form a legal partnership
C. Legal and Ethical as long as the
D...Rationale: In order to joint advertise, clients must be informed as to whether the therapists are sole practitioners or a business entity, so D is the best answer. This notification should be posted in the office and included in the informed consent.
A woman is referred by another client and is excited to learn that the therapist is on her insurance panel. She informs the therapist that she has been in therapy in the past for depression and always paid out of pocket. She states that she would like to
C...Rationale: C is the best answer to ensure that the client has full understanding of the limits of confidentiality when using her insurance. Answer A does not answer her question. Answer B may not be correct information for this particular case. D is a
A therapist is developing a website to promote her private practice. It would be unethical to:
Response:
A. Highlight the therapist's expertise.
B. Share extensive information about the therapist's training and background.
C. Include information about the
D...Rationale: It is unethical to ask client for testimonials. Also, highlighting only the effectiveness as the potential to mislead potential clients. A, B, and C are all things that could be included on a website.
A 76-year-old woman comes to therapy complaining of depression and loneliness. At the end of the first session she states that she is looking forward to being in therapy since her last therapist helped alleviate her loneliness quite a bit. "He held me in
D...Rationale: A therapist legally must give a client who reports having sex with a therapist the brochure, "Professional Therapy Never Includes Sex", there is no grounds here for an elder abuse report, so the correct answer is D. You may do A after you g
A client returns to therapy after four years. Legally, the therapist should first:
Response:
Correct
A. Obtain a new informed consent.
B. Find out if the client saw any other therapists during the break.
C. Review the client's previous record.
D. Explore
...A
A therapist has been treating a client for 6 months when the client states that she will be leaving town for a few months. The client asks if she can use email to keep in touch with the therapist while she is away. The therapist should FIRST:
Response:
Co
A...Rationale: Answer A directly responds to the client's request. It is important to address particular issues regarding emailing. After the therapist addresses the request for email contact then B or C may follow.
When discussing the fee with a potential new client, a therapist learns that the client recently lost her job and is living off her savings. Even after sliding the fee to the lowest amount, the client states that she only thinks she can afford four or fiv
D...Rationale: D is the best answer as it provides a low cost option for the client to receive services. D is also the best answer due to the fact the client has not begun therapy yet. A therapist does not need to do A or B after already looking at slidin
For a HIPAA transaction a therapist should use which of the following identifications?
Response:
A. License number
B. Social security number
C. National provider identifier
D. Tax ID number
...Rationale: C is the correct answer. Within the HIPAA privacy limitations a national provider identifier is issued and used by the therapist.
A client has ignored four written requests regarding payment for services rendered from a therapist in private practice. The therapist plans to inform the client of the decision to proceed with termination for nonpayment at the next regularly scheduled se
...Rationale: C is the best answer to rule out the possibility of misunderstanding before proceeding with termination. At this point in the process the therapist does not obligated to do B. A and D might be possibilities after doing C.
A client seeks therapy for depression and discloses that she engages in non-suicidal cutting and has a history of sexual abuse as a child. The therapist has no experience in this area and feels uncomfortable working with the client. How should the therapi
A...Rationale: In this scenario, the therapist has not yet engaged in therapy with this client, therefore A is the best answer in order to best meet the specific needs of this client.
A therapist meets with a single parent struggling to provide adequate housing, food, and health care for himself and his two younger children. What action should the therapist take to manage legal obligations in this case?
Response:
A. Help client develop
...Rationale: D is the only answer that addresses the immediate basic needs of the client. A might be done later. There is not enough information for B. Be careful if considering C as it is out of scope of practice to provide financial services although a
A therapist sees a 75-year old Asian American man whose wife died six months ago. In the intake interview, the client reports that he has lost weight, has very little energy, and has difficulty getting himself to do things. What should the therapist do fi
...Rationale: A is the best answer due to the symptoms of depression the client presents with and the high risk category he is in. So assessing for suicidality is first. B, C, and D are all things the therapist would do in this scenario but not first.
A client is being treated for PTSD. The client is engaged and her fiance has attended collateral sessions. She tells the therapist that she self-harms when she feels overwhelmed by emotions. The client shows up to a session with deep gashes on her arms an
D...Rationale: The best answer is D. The level of risk is not severe enough to warrant breaching confidentiality or pursuing hospitalization (A and C). Monitoring safety in answer B, while appropriate, is not sufficient. The client has a history of self-h
A therapist meets with a new client who is court-mandated to attend therapy following a DUI. During the first session, the client tells the therapist he was involved in a hit and run several years back in which a person died. He tells the therapist the in
B...Rationale: The best answer is B. Therapists maintain confidentiality regarding past crimes, unless they involve minor, elder, or dependent adult abuse. Therefore, A and D are wrong. We would not initiate an evaluation for hospitalization unless the cl
A therapist works for a local mental health agency that provides therapeutic services to inmates. The therapist receives a subpoena for one of her clients who is currently serving time for physically assaulting a man who was subsequently hospitalized. Wha
...Rationale: Answer A is correct. Psychotherapist-patient privilege still exists when someone is incarcerated. There is no option to contact client, so the next best answer is to assert privilege.
A therapist works in a group practice with four other therapists. The therapist recently discovered that one of her colleagues is smoking marijuana prior to having sessions with her clients. The therapist confronts her colleague who denies the accusation.
B...Rationale: The best answer is B. The next step we would take is to consult with colleagues to discuss concerns. Reporting the colleague's behavior (A) is inappropriate when other, less punitive, steps can be taken. Answer C is too vague and it is uncl
A therapist is working with a 29-year-old with a history of substance abuse. The client attends a session and reports that he has been drinking again since his breakup with his long term girlfriend. He shares that he drove home drunk from a bar two times
D...Rationale: Answer D is the best choice. The client has a history of substance abuse and shared that he has relapsed. Discussing the need to address his substance abuse and providing referrals would be the most appropriate way to address this disclosur
A 14-year-old shares with her school-based therapist that she attended a high school party over the weekend. She tears up when she adds that she only had one drink then she blacked out and woke up in the morning naked on the bed. She says that she doesn't
...Rationale: The best answer is C as therapists are mandated to report child abuse. The client has shared enough information for the therapist to report sexual abuse of a minor. When there is reasonable suspicion of abuse, we cannot maintain confidential
A recently retired therapist is contacted by a 22-year-old former client. The client submits a written request for the records of the treatment he received from the therapist when he was 14. How should the therapist manage the legal obligations in this ca
B...Rationale: The correct answer is B. Therapists are required to retain records for 7 years, or 7 years after a minor turns 18, even if they are no longer practicing therapy. The therapist should determine the appropriateness of sharing records (B) prio
A 17-year-old is receiving therapy at school. He shares that he is having a lot of problems with his new 15-year-old girlfriend. He states, "sometimes she drives me so crazy, I just want to smack her. If I try to leave, she pleads for me to stay. I just d
...Rationale: The best answer is A. The client has expressed conflict with his girlfriend, which does not require a report. In this case, we would maintain confidentiality. If the client said he hit her, then we would report. Role playing (D) is a good in
A therapist is treating a 15-year-old girl. At the onset of therapy, the client signed a release allowing the therapist to speak with her parents. Three months into treatment the client discloses that she is gay and that she has a girlfriend. That week th
B...Rationale: Since the client has signed a release for the therapist to talk with parents, providing them with general information would be the best option, answer B. There is no indication the release is invalid, so A is incorrect. The scope of the rel
A therapist saw a couple in therapy for several months and is subsequently contacted by the wife who wants him to testify in court on her behalf about an unrelated matter. In this situation, legally the therapist should:
Response:
A. Testify only about cl
B...Rationale: The unit of treatment is the couple, therefore the therapist is legally required to have both the husband and wife provide written consent before testifying in court, answer B. The therapist does not need a subpoena to testify, if client is
During a couple's therapy session, the 59-year-old wife shares that she was recently designated the conservator of her father's finances. The client states that now that she has control of her father's money she finally has extra money to go on "nice vaca
...Rationale: The best answer is C. The client's actions constitute financial abuse of an elder so a report must be made to adult protective services.
A client initiates therapy for anxiety following a divorce. The client shares the fact that his realization that he was gay was the reason he got a divorce. The therapist is also a gay male and finds the client very attractive. Which of the following acti
D. Rationale: Ethically, therapists should seek consultation if they experience feelings of attraction toward a client, as this could interfere with treatment. Answer D is the only answer that properly addresses the potential conflict.
An unlicensed therapist would like to address ongoing personal relationship issues she believes are impacting her work with male clients. The unlicensed therapist did not like her previous therapist and is considering asking her clinical supervisor to be
D...Rationale: Requesting the supervisor provide individual therapy would lead to a dual relationship and should be avoided. The only answer that properly addresses and avoids the dual relationship is answer D. Answers B and C involve dual relationships,
A therapist specializes in treating young professionals with relationship issues. She receives an invitation from a long-term client to connect on a social media website that includes personal information. Which of the following actions should the therapi
D...Rationale: The best answer is D. The therapist should maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries by declining the invitation. It would also be important to discuss why the invitation is being declined so the boundaries are clear and the client does n
A therapist is currently involved in a contentious custody battle with her ex-husband and perceives her spouse as hostile and unreasonable. The therapist begins meeting weekly with a peer for consultation to prevent her frustrations from impacting therapy
B...Rationale: The best answer is B. Therapists should seek consultation when they identify issues interfering with treatment. It is clear in this case that the therapist's personal situation is affecting her work with this client, so she should seek cons
A 44-year-old client is referred for therapy by his co-worker for complaints of problems in his marriage. The client wants to work on issues that involve only him, but mentions that he was in therapy with his partner a year ago. He wants to obtain the rec
D...Rationales: The therapist would not be able to obtain records from the former therapist unless both the husband and wife sign the release, as they were both part of the treatment unit (D).
A therapist is working with a girl who is 10-years-old. The girl lives with her father and her mother is incarcerated. The mother sends a written request for the records. What is the therapist's legal obligation in this case?
Response:
A. Send the records
A...Rationale: The correct answer is A, comply with mother's request for records. The only time a parent loses the right to records is if they lost legal custody through a CPS case--if they are the alleged perpetrator of abuse, a court order for records w
A school counselor in a high school refers one of his students to the therapist because he is concerned about the student's behavior. His parents report that he has no friends, stays locked in his room most of the time playing video games, and that he is
D...Rationale: The student has made a vague threat that the therapist must further assess before deciding to break confidentiality, answer D. The student's comments are not clear enough to warrant a report to the police or school counselor, making answers
A 15-year-old client tells her therapist that she has fallen in love with a 17-year old boy she met at a sleepaway camp. She says they miss each other and have been staying in touch by texting every day and talking on the phone. The client adds that they
C...Rationale: This 15 year-old reports discomfort sending naked pictures to her older boyfriend. Sending sexual pictures of minors via internet or text is a mandated report, so C is the best answer.
A therapist works as a mental health specialist in a prison. The therapist has completed an intake with a new inmate. The sheriff deputy requests a copy of the inmates records. How should the therapist manage the legal obligations in this case?
Response:
B...Rationale: Inmates have the same right to confidentiality as other clients, so a release would be required prior to sharing information, answer B. Therapists are only permitted to share information if there is a clear contract with the corrections dep
A therapist is meeting with a 75-year-old man who is living in a residential facility. He appears confused as he informs the therapist that he is concerned about his living arrangements, as he is now several months behind in payments to the facility. He h
D...Rationale: The client "appears confused" suggesting the need for a mental status assessment. There is a hint of possible elder abuse here, but it would be good to verify his mental status and and further assess the financial situation. Also, the clien
A therapist is meeting with a new client who expresses concerns about the therapist taking notes during therapy sessions. The therapist relies on the note taking during the initial. assessment phase How should the therapist manage their legal and ethical
D...Rationale: The best answer is D. The therapist should explore the concerns and make a decision with the client. Doing answer A doesn't allow the therapist to understand the client's concerns and also dismisses the value the therapist finds from taking
A therapist has been working with a couple for almost two years as they worked through issues regarding living together and also preparing to get married. The clients believe the therapist was a huge part of their success as a couple and to them staying t
B...Rationale: The therapist is "uncertain" about going. In that case, the therapist should err on the side of maintaining boundaries. The best answer is B because the therapist would want to attend to the impact of refusing to go. The answer A is wrong b
A therapist is treating a 25-year-old woman for anxiety and depression. The woman reports she has thoughts about suicide, but denies having a plan. Two days later, the therapist receives a call from the client's mother who is worried about the safety of h
D...Rationale: In this case you would want to get information from mother about what is making her concerned for her daughter. When suicide is involved the therapist has a right to break confidentiality for safety reasons. In this case collecting more spe
A therapist has been treating a 32-year-old woman with severe anxiety for two months. During a session the client shares that she has heard of EMDR from a friend who said that she found it very helpful. The client asks the therapist if he can provide EMDR
B...Rationale: The best answer is B. EMDR is outside of this therapist's scope of competence. It would be unethical, but not illegal, for him to provide it. Answer C is wrong because EMDR requires considerable training prior to providing it as an actual t
A 67-year-old woman meets with a therapist for the first time. She informs the therapist that her husband is physically abusive toward her and she can't take it anymore. She shares her plan to finally stand up to him by taking a knife and showing him what
C...Rationale: The best answer is C. The client has made a serious threat of physical violence toward her husband, so the therapist's duty to protect/duty to report has been triggered. We cannot maintain confidentiality in this case, so A is eliminated. B
A client reports that she recently awoke in the middle of the night to sounds of crying children in the apartment next door. She went to see if everyone was okay and discovered that the parents had left the 8-year-old, 5-year-old, and 2-year-old home alon
C...Rationale: This would trigger a mandated report for neglect so C is the best answer as it manages the legal obligation. There is enough for reasonable suspicion so D is not indicated. A and B could be done at some point but a report has been triggered
A therapist is meeting with high school student who states that he is going to take his father's gun and shoot the members of the football team who are bullying him. He then says that he would not really do it. Legally, what should the therapist do?
Respo
D...Rationale: The client states a plan with identifiable victims and he has access to a gun. In this case contacting the police would be the best thing to do even though the client backtracked from his statement. If the client did end up shooting kids at
A therapist relocated to another city. Prior to moving, the therapist referred all active clients to appropriate therapists and services. A new therapist of a former client contacts the therapist with a release of information wanting to know about the pas
.C..Rationale: Due to the crisis issues that the client is dealing with C is the best answer. It is best practice for the continuity of care to collaborate with the new therapist when client has signed a release of information to do so. If a client has a
A therapist is pulled over by police after attending a happy hour with work colleagues. The therapist is cited with a DUI. At the conviction hearing the therapist agrees to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. What other legal obligation does the therapi
B...Rationale: By law, you must notify the BBS within 30 days of any conviction, name change or address change. We didn't review this in the lectures, you are learning it now.
A 7-year-old child is referred to the school therapist because he is unable to sit still in class. The child exposes a large, red rash on his torso and complains that the lotion his mom puts on it makes it worse. The therapist calls the mother who shares
B...Rationale: A is out because that was already done. There is enough here to file a report for medical neglect, so B is the best answer. If the mother understands that there will be a report made she may change her mind. C and D could be done at some po
A therapist has been meeting with a client for several months. During a session, the client informs the therapist she is moving out of the area to a different part of the state. She tells the therapist that she doesn't want to find a new therapist and wou
B...Rationale: You should have gotten it down to B or C. If a therapist is going to engage in teletherapy, they do have a responsibility to be familiar with the available resources for the client in the area they are residing in the event of a crisis. If
During an initial assessment with a 7-year-old boy, a therapist observes that the boy is small in stature and appears listless and gaunt. He is difficult to engage in play and mostly unresponsive to questions about school and friends. The therapist notice
C...Rationale: The question stem hints at possible neglect. There is not enough to make a report, but there is enough to indicate assessing further so C is the best answer.
A therapist receives a call from a local hospital. The therapist's client has been hospitalized following a psychotic episode. The hospital psychologist requests information regarding the client's history and diagnosis. How should the therapist legally re
A...Rationale: In a situation of crisis, the therapist may provide information needed to treat the client without their consent so A is the best answer.
During a therapy session, an 18-year-old client reports that he assaulted his neighbor's son whom he suspects broke into the client's car and stole his radio. The client is bragging and showing no remorse. What action should the therapist take to manage t
B...Rationale: If the victim is a minor, then the therapist is mandated to file a child abuse report so B is the best answer. A and C would depend on the age of the child. D could be done at a later time.
A 29-year-old female client is referred to therapy by her MD for postpartum depression. She shares that she self-medicated in the past with marijuana and that her newborn had a positive toxicology test at birth. Her doctor recently prescribed antidepressa
B...Rationale: According to California law, a positive toxicology test at birth is not in and of itself enough to trigger a report, so answer A is incorrect. B is the best answer because you need a signed release to contact MD, which you would want to do
A therapist is referred a woman who was recently discharged from a short-term stay in a mental hospital following a manic episode. The woman is living with her parents and is being seen monthly for medication monitoring by a psychiatrist. Legally, the the
B...Rationale: B is the best answer in order to provide the best care for this client. At this time, the clinician should consult with the psychiatrist. This provides continuity of care coming out of hospitalization and gives the therapist important infor
A therapist in private practice works predominantly with adolescents and uses text messaging to remind them of upcoming appointments. The therapist accidently sends a message to a client that was intended for her son that says, "I love you." How should th
A...Rationale: Many of these answers sound okay. The best answer is A because it includes discussing the boundary violation. Even though it was a text sent to the wrong person, it still included the client into the therapist's personal relationship. B, C,
A therapist is developing a website to promote his new private practice. All of the following are ethical, except:
Response:
A. Highlighting the therapist's expertise.
B. Providing information about the therapist's training and background.
C. Including in
D...Rationale: In order to maintain confidentiality the therapist would need to ask the client to provide a success story. This is unethical because it is asking a client to do the therapist a favor which could also be seen as misuse of influence and powe
A 13-old-girl is referred to therapy by her middle school counselor because she is withdrawn in class and displays signs of anxiety. Her middle-aged mother attends the first session wearing a Muslim headscarf. The therapist is wearing a Jewish Star of Dav
C...Rationale: The best answer is C. It is important to explore the significance of her question because it will clarify the cultural issues at play for her. All the other answers bypass exploring the significance. B could be done after we explore the sig
A therapist in private practice meets with a client who is working through issues related to his father's recent death. During one session, the client talks of feeling overwhelmed by his feelings of grief and unable to deal with his own son's crying and s
B...Rationale: This would require a mandated report, so the best answer is B.
A client is the leader of a criminal street gang. He has been seeing a therapist for several years. One day the client shows up to session desperate for a place to hide some guns that could be used as evidence of a gang killing. He brings the guns to the
B...Rationale: This communication between the client and the therapist is not covered by the psychotherapist-patient privilege, because the client is seeking help to avoid being charged with a crime.
A therapist has been seeing a 17-year-old girl for panic attacks who consented for her own treatment because her parents were against therapy. After four sessions the client emails the therapist and informs her that she told her parents about therapy and
C...Rationale: The therapist has already reached out via email. At this point, the therapist should respect the client's decision and document termination - answer D. The client initiated termination so the therapist does not need to provide three referra
A therapist in a family service agency is working with an 8-year-old girl who discloses in session that she was sexually molested by an older boy at school. As she is talking, the therapist realizes that the boy is in a therapy group that she facilitates
C...Rationale: Answer C is correct. There is enough for reasonable suspicion so a report is required.
During a session, a client informs the therapist that she is concerned for her neighbor who has been behaving strangely since his wife died. The client explains that her neighbor, an elderly man in his 70s, has been doing yard work naked. In addition, the
D...Rationale: This qualifies as self-neglect and thus warrants a mandated report to adult protective services so D is the best answer.
A 25 year-old-woman is in treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder following a discharge from a psychiatric hospital due to a suicide attempt. The client has a severe trauma history and a deep fear of abandonment. After five months of treatment the c
D...Rationale: The best answer is D. Ethically you need to consider impact of seeing a client in multiple treatment units and you should only do so if it would not be harmful to client. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder and issues with abandon
A 54-year-old woman seeks therapy for depression. She shares that her 82-year-old mother with dementia moved in with her three months ago and she feels overwhelmed taking care of her. The woman reports, "Sometimes I just leave the house all day, because I
C.Rationale: There is not enough to file an elder abuse report because there may be someone else caring for the mother while she is out. C is the best answer because it furthers the assessment. Answers A and D could be done at some point.
A therapist meets with a 45-year-old client who has a history of being violent for an intake assessment. During the intake assessment, the client states that his wife claims to have been visiting family for the past week but he believes she is lying to hi
C...Rationale: This would trigger a duty to warn which requires the therapist to contact local police and inform them of the client's statement and history of violence. Answers A, B, and D could also be interventions that could be done but C is legally re
A client mentions she has been having a difficult time with anxiety and depression since she began a lawsuit against the company that fired her. She discussed feeling anxious about how they will treat her as a witness in the trial and who else they may en
A...Rationale: The best answer is A. There is no option of informing the client, so the best thing to do would be to assert privilege.
An 84-year-old client calls her therapist because she cannot make it to the session. She has been financially and physically dependent upon her daughter who moved out unexpectedly last week. Which of the following actions must the therapist take to assist
C...Rationale: This qualifies as abandonment and would require a report so C is the best answer. A, B, and D are all things that could be done at some point but C must be done.
A therapist has been seeing a client for over a year. The client is a sales rep for a major hotel company and travels a lot for work, but always makes time for ongoing therapy focused on her depression and anxiety around being single. During the holiday s
B...Rationale: This is an extravagant gift, even if the client got it for free. The best answer is B - decline gift and discuss with client. There is no need to consult.
A 14-year old comes to therapy telling her therapist she is pregnant with her 17-year-old boyfriend's baby. She is not sure how many months she is. She is scared to tell her parents but is excited about it bringing her closer to her boyfriend. What action
A...Rationale: The therapist should link the client to medical services and clarify why she doesn't want parent included in order to meet the standard of care in this situation. You don't need to invite anyone else in at this point and the ages of the the
A therapist is treating a 68 year-old woman following the death of her spouse. The patient has no immediate family and reports having been financially exploited by acquaintances following the spouse's death. In order to address the legal issues in this ca
D...Rationale: Financial abuse of an elder is a mandated report so you are picking between B and D. The correct time line for a written report is 2 days so D is the best answer.
A client seeks therapy after the death of her mother. The client shares that her 82 year-old mother was living with her family when she died. The client shares that her mother had dementia and would frequently become verbally and physically aggressive to
C...Rationale: This would be reportable if the mother was still alive, but since she isn't the best answer is C. You could also do D at some point but you'd want to start where the client is.
During an intake assessment with a therapist, a client states that he is angry with his ex-girlfriend who, as he recently found out, cheated on him while they were still together. Upon further exploration, the client reports that he has had serious though
B...Rationale: The therapist needs to assess potential danger to others and that would start with answer B. Answer A should also be done, but after B. If the client had an imminent plan then C would be triggered. Answer D is an option at some point but sh
A new client shares that he is also a therapist. He discloses that he recently had an affair with a client, but ended it because he knew it was wrong. He indicates feelings of guilt and remorse. How should the therapist proceed considering the legal and e
A...Rationale: A is the best answer, there is no obligation to report this or investigate it. At this point your primary concern is to provide therapy to your client regarding this issue. B is done when a client has revealed they had inappropriate relatio
A therapist has been meeting with a client for 7 months with the expressed goal of addressing the client's social anxiety. The therapist has noticed that the initial progress the client was making has slowed and the client might even be regressing, return
C...Rationale: This is a situation where consultation with colleagues is advised. The therapist may need fresh perspective and insight as to why progress seems to be stalling. Therefore C is the best answer.
Which of the following would be considered poor clinical boundaries?
Response:
A. A therapist goes to lunch with a client with an eating disorder.
B. A therapist visits a client in the hospital after a suicide attempt.
C. A therapist brings a child with a
C...Rationale: Of all the answers, C is the one that shows poor clinical boundaries because it has the client coming to the therapist's personal residence and doesn't seem clinically appropriate. A, B, and D all seem clinically appropriate.
A 54-year-old woman, who has been married for 17 years, comes to therapy complaining that her husband has been having an affair for the last several years. She tells the therapist that she and her husband are in couple's therapy together with another ther
D...Rationale: The therapies being sought are different in nature therefore it is acceptable to take on this client while she continues to go to couples therapy. It is best practice to include consultation with the other therapist if client is willing to
A therapist meets with an 80-year-old man and his son. The son would like the father to move out of his home and into an assisted living facility. He shares that he lives alone, has fallen twice, and he is concerned for his safety. The father disagrees an
D...Rationale: D is the best answer. You would want to assess for self-neglect right away as that is a key part of any decision going forward. Expectations for treatment are also important and this would be important to clarify when there are competing id
A therapist is measuring the effectiveness of services offered to chronically mentally ill clients at a community clinic. When developing the informed consent for the effectiveness study, the therapist is concerned about the clients' level of competency,
B...Rationale: The therapist should make an effort to insure understanding. Therefore, since the clients level of competency varies it is best to obtain consent when the client displays a good level of understanding, so B is the best answer. D is incorrec
A therapist is also a supervisor at an agency in a small town. One of his private practice clients has applied to be an intern at the agency. The agency does not employ any other supervisors that can supervise the intern. The client pleads to get the inte
A...Rationale: It is an unethical dual relationship to be both therapist and supervisor, so B is out. These are separate and distinct relationships that could lead to exploitation or impair the judgment within the therapeutic relationship. Thus A is the b
All of the following are true about authorizations for release of information EXCEPT:
Response:
A. It must have the current date.
B. It must have an end date.
C. It must indicate who will be sharing information with whom.
D. It must be written in 12-point
D...Rationale: D is correct. The releases must be written in 14-point or larger.
A Hmong couple are referred to therapy by their children's school. Their 6-year-old daughter has been sick recently and the school is concerned that the parents are not getting adequate health care. The parents share that they immigrated here five years a
C...Rationale: It is best to get cultural information directly from the couple since they have their own unique experiences within the culture that they are a part of. Therefore, answer C is the best answer. In addition, it builds therapeutic rapport with
A bilingual therapist working at a community clinic has met with a client for three sessions. During the fourth session the therapist determines that it is necessary to initiate a 5150 because the client presents as a serious danger to himself. After info
C...Rationale: C is the best answer. The interpreter is not a trained professional to assess for suicidality. Therefore, the therapist needs to conduct the assessment and the interpreter is there as a means for the therapist to have clarity in communicati
A therapist admits to an intimate relationship with one of his clients whom he has treated for over two years. The therapist is the subject of regulatory board investigation. He tells the investigator that he truly loves this client and would like to marr
D...Rationale: It is both illegal and unethical to have intimate relations with a client, even if it is client initiated.
A 38-year-old woman with Borderline Personality Disorder continually engages in scapegoating during a weekly treatment group. After consultation, the therapist facilitating the group decides to dismiss the client from the group due to the destructive natu
C...Rationale: C is the best answer because this is a matter that should be handled privately and confidentially. A and B are inappropriate and would clearly shame the client in front of other group members. D could be done as part of the individual appoi
A therapist in private practice has a caseload of 15 clients. The therapist is pregnant and is planning on taking at least six months of maternity leave. The therapist is not certain when she will return from her leave. The termination process should incl
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A 41-year-old female has been in therapy for two years for anxiety attacks and depression. She is no longer taking medication and is currently symptom free. During recent therapy sessions she frequently laughs and enjoys herself. Which of the following ac
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A 15-year-old girl is sent to the school therapist because she is upset in class. She shares that her 18-year-old brother was high on crystal meth the night before and hit her multiple times. She adds that she is worried about her 2 year-old brother who i
B...Rationale: Usually CPS is the best answer in child abuse questions. However, you can also report to the police as both agencies cross report child abuse. If given the choice on the exam, you would want to take into account the immediate safety issues.
A therapist is meeting with a 68-year-old woman and suspects elder abuse. However, the therapist is not certain if abuse is actually taking place. The therapist is conflicted on whether or not to make a report because it could be detrimental to the relati
D...Rationale: The stem states that the therapist "suspects elder abuse" so the therapist must make a report. The stem also indicates that the therapist is concerned about the impact of the report on therapeutic relationship, so processing it with the cli
A therapist begins treatment with a couple. During the intake, the wife discloses that her husband can get very angry and hit her while the children are around. She also mentioned that their son has tried to protect his mother and get in between the husba
C...Rationale: Because the child has been hurt during their fights, a CPS report is mandated. So C is the best answer to your legal requirements. B would be important regarding scope of competence issues - but that is an ethical issue.
A therapist lives and works in a small community. A woman that he dated intimately over eleven years ago gets in touch with him and is seeking therapy. She has recently broken up with her husband and is needing therapy to resolve her issues regarding her
A...Rationale: Answer A is the best because this is a case where there could be a conflict of interest due to a prior romantic relationship. Conflicts of interest occur when there are circumstances that make it hard for the therapist to be impartial. This
A 33 year old woman mentions that the home her grandmother has been staying in has not been answering the phone, when she is able to get through on the phone, they do not put her grandmother on the phone. She complained to the therapist that the last time
D...Rationale: There is enough to have reasonable suspicion of abuse. In cases where is it a facility, you need to report to the police. D is the best answer because it includes discussing it with the client.
A therapist has been seeing a client for a few months when the client has been put under a 72 hour hold with a 5150 by his psychiatrist. The therapist is not sure of the reasonings behind the 5150 and would like to find out more about what is happening wi
B...Rationale: In a crisis situation like this, the therapist should do option B. The psychiatrist would have the responsibility of releasing the information since there is a danger issue with a client and it is important that the care is coordinated in t
A 13-year-old girl would like to seek therapy for issues going on at school and at home. Her mother has brought her to the initial session since she would like her daughter to have therapy. Her husband, the client's father, thinks therapy is a waste of ti
C...Rationale: Since the parents are married, only one parent needs to sign consent, making answer C the correct choice. There is no indication it would be inappropriate to involve the mother, so the teen should not sign consent (A). B is not necessary, s
A therapist has been seeing a client for over a year for substance abuse issues and depression. The client arrives for his session visibly drunk, slurred speech, and refuses to sit down on the couch for the session. The client continues to yell at the the
B...Rationale: The therapist has a legal obligation to manage safety. Since the client is presenting a danger to self or others due to emotional/mental state, it would be appropriate to break confidentiality and contact police (B). The client is yelling a
A therapist has been treating an 11-year-old boy for anxiety and depression after the accidental death of his younger sister. After two months of treatment, the boy turns 12 years old. The therapist believes the boy needs two sessions a week due to the se
B...Rationale: The only answer that addresses legal and ethical responsibilities is answer B. We do not need to obtain a new consent when a minor turns 12 (A). There is nothing in the question stem that points to increased risk or need for higher level of
A therapist has been seeing a gay couple who have been attending therapy to deal with the issues behind their family accepting them and also one of the partners being HIV+. The client who is HIV+ calls the therapist distraught and crying and informs her t
C...Rationale: Therapists are legally required to maintain confidentiality regarding HIV/AIDS status of a client-this legal requirement takes precedent over a therapist's "no secrets" policy. The best course of action is answer C, maintain confidentiality
A therapist has opened her own practice after spending many years as an event planner for weddings and parties. One of her newer clients expressed concerns that her upcoming wedding planning is costing her fiancee and the client a lot of money and they ar
C...Rationale: Answer C is the best choice. The therapist would be acting outside of her scope of practice by providing advice on wedding planning to the client. While the therapist has a background in wedding planning, she should only provide services th
A therapist is treating a child whose parents are getting a divorce. The child's mother asks the therapist to do a custody evaluation. The therapist has a history of conducting custody evaluations for the court. How should the therapist manage the ethical
D...Rationale: Therapists should avoid providing both treatment and evaluations with clients. In this case, the most appropriate course of action would be answer D, to decline the service and refer the client to an impartial evaluator. While it is within
A therapist begins seeing a new male client. The male client hugs the therapist when he walks in and introduces himself and hugs her when he leaves. The therapist is really uncomfortable with hugs from anyone, especially clients. How should she ethically
B...Rationale: Therapists have an ethical obligation to maintain appropriate boundaries and should explore these issues as they arise, answer B. Consultation is unnecessary, as it is appropriate to set clear boundaries with clients (A). Therapists only ne
A therapist has been treating a high-conflict unmarried couple for five months. The couple decides that they are going to break up and they terminate couple's therapy. A week after termination, the girlfriend contacts the therapist and requests individual
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You are a therapist working in a facility for mentally disabled adults. During a session, you notice that one of your clients has a bruise on her arm. You ask her how she received it, and she tells you that she bumped her arm on a door while she was walki
C...Rationale: Based on the information provided in the question stem, there is no indication of abuse, thus the therapist should not make a report (A, B, and D). Ethically, the therapist should document the incident and rationale for not reporting and ma
Two parents bring their 11-year-old son to treatment for ADHD. After a few sessions, the father decides the treatment isn't working and withdraws his consent. The mother asserts that she believes her son needs therapy and that she wants him to continue tr
B...Rationale: The therapist only needs consent of one parent when parents are married (A). The child is not old enough to consent to his own treatment (B). The therapist does not need to stop treatment because the father has withdrawn his consent or feel
Your client is a 35-year old woman that you have seen for two sessions. She came to see you to work through relationship issues with her husband, and at the third session she tells you that he finally has agreed to participate in couple's counseling. Ethi
C...Rationale: Ethically, it is acceptable to change the unit of treatment from an individual to couple or family. However, prior to onset of therapy, the therapist should obtain informed consent from the new unit of treatment. Informed consent should inc
A client is being treated by you for generalized anxiety disorder, and discloses after a few sessions that she is also seeing another therapist at school for treatment for a social phobia. The client signs a release, and during your conversation with the
C...Rationale: Answer C is best. It is unethical to treat a client who is receiving similar services from another therapist. In this case, generalized anxiety and social phobias are too similar and would result in duplicate services.
You are treating a 28-year-old client with Borderline Personality Disorder and a history of previous suicide attempts. During one session, she tells you that she frequently argues with her boyfriend, and during the arguments she often threatens to commit
A...Rationale: Answer A is the best option. The client has a history of suicide attempts and has indicated potential risk. Although the client is being evasive, the therapist should continue to assess and manage the risk to determine if other intervention
How long must you legally retain records for a minor client?
Response:
A. Seven years from the beginning of treatment.
Wrong
B. Seven years from the end of treatment.
C. Seven years after the client turns 18.
D. Seven years after the client turns 25.
C...Rationale: Answer C is correct. Legally, therapists must retain records for 7 years following termination and for minors 7 years after the minor turns 18. B is incorrect, because it is not accurate with minors.
A therapist has been treating a new client for depression for three months. During her session she reports she is going on vacation for a month. She states that she wants to continue treatment while she is away, and asks to continue treatment through the
C...Rationale: The best answer is B. Legally, therapists can treat clients who are temporarily traveling, even if out-of-state, but must receive informed consent specific to tele-therapy. If we had an option to contact the state's licensing board to deter
A client comes to therapy to process the ending of his marriage. He and his wife are currently engaged in a custody battle over their three young children. The client asks you not to bill his insurance for his therapy, and requests that you not keep any r
C...Rationale: Answer C is the best option. Therapists must maintain treatment records and failure to do would be falling below the standard of care. Answer D is incorrect because we cannot guarantee his records would remain confidential.
A licensed therapist with a thriving private practice is diagnosed with cancer. The therapist learns from her doctor that she will need to stop working for three months so that she can complete chemotherapy, beginning one month from now. What ethical obli
A...Rationale: The best answer is A. Answer A addresses the need for a therapist to develop a professional will and provide continuity of care during an absence. Answer B is too drastic, it is not necessary to refer clients out and it would be inappropria
A 13-year-old girl is brought into therapy by her parents for symptoms of depression. She shares with the therapist that she is questioning her sexuality, and feels no one will accept her for who she is. She repeats statements about wanting the pain to go
D...Rationale: Answer D is the best option. The severity of symptoms and past suicide attempts make an evaluation for hospitalization the best option due to high risk. Answers A and B do not adequately address the risk. We may choose to break confidential