1. Informed consent generally implies that the person:
a. does not have the capacity to consent.
b. has verbally given consent.
c. has been persuaded or coerced to sign the consent form.
d. has the capacity to consent and has freely, without undue influence, expressed consent.
2. Because providing counseling services over the Internet (also known as remote services or distance counseling) is
relatively new and controversial, a host of legal questions will NOT be addressed until:
a. the APA meets again to update the DSM.
b. the next ACA annual conference.
c. lawsuits are filed pertaining to its use, or misuse, in counseling practice.
d. clients are interviewed about the effectiveness of online counseling.
3. Written consent forms should NOT include:
a. a discussion of how a managed care system will affect the treatment, if applicable.
b. a detailed description of what will occur in therapy and a guarantee that the client will resolve their issues.
c. a statement describing the counselor’s theoretical orientation and how this will affect treatment.
d. clarification pertaining to fees and charges and procedures for filing for insurance reimbursement.
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
4. The definition of a minor varies from state to state; however:
a. all states agree a minor is under 18.
b. all states agree on the age a minor can consent to their own health care in all circumstances.
c. all states agree minors are incapable of consenting to any and all health care due to lack of maturity.
d. the upper range is 18 to 21 years of age, although some states authorize 16-year-olds to consent to their own
health care in some circumstances.
5. Most ethical codes specify that therapists should:
a. be available to their clients even when they are on vacation.
b. inform clients that their records are inaccessible to them.
c. inform clients that a diagnosis can become a permanent part of their file and have ramifications in terms of
cost of insurance, long-term insurability, and employment.
d. alter case notes that are damaging to the client if they are subpoenaed into court.
6. ___________ should include a record of client and therapist behavior that is clinically relevant, including
interventions used, client responses to treatment strategies, the evolving treatment plan, and any follow-up measures
taken.
a. Assessments
b. Progress notes
c. Intakes
d. Screenings
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
7. Concerning counseling via the Internet, which statement is most accurate?
a. The codes of the major professional organizations offer detailed guidance regarding ethical practices in the
use of technology.
b. There are both advantages and disadvantages in using Internet technology to deliver counseling services.
c. Most experts agree that what is being currently offered via Internet counseling is a form of traditional
psychotherapy.
d. This form of counseling is not suited to a problem-solving approach.
8. Regarding counseling with children and adolescents, informed consent of parents or guardians may NOT be legally
required when a minor is seeking counseling for:
a. difficulties in school or at home.
b. a safe place to discuss normal changes adolescents experience throughout their developmental process.
c. assistance with planning their educational future.
d. dangerous drugs or narcotics, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and birth control, and examination
following alleged sexual assault of a minor over 12 years of age.
9. __________________ is/are not reserved exclusively for the irresponsible practitioner. Clients may make
allegations of unethical conduct or file a legal claim due to negligence, even though the counselor may have acted
ethically and appropriately.
a. Malpractice claims
b. Legal matters and risk management
c. Addictions counseling
d. Ethical aspects of practice
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
10. In regards to unethical behavior of colleagues, the National Association of Social Workers states:
a. “When rehabilitation counselors have reason to believe that another rehabilitation counselor is violating or has
violated an ethical standard, they attempt first to resolve the issue informally with the other rehabilitation
counselor if feasible, provided such action does not violate confidentiality rights that may be involved.”
b. “Human service professionals respond appropriately to unethical behavior of colleagues. Usually this means
initially talking directly with the colleague and, if no resolution is forthcoming, reporting the colleague’s
behavior to supervisory or
administrative staff and/or to the professional organization(s) to which the colleague belongs.”
c. “Informal peer monitoring is one way to assume responsibility for watching out for each other.”
d. “Social workers should take adequate measures to discourage, prevent, expose, and correct the unethical
conduct of colleagues.”
11. The intent of a(n) ___________ is to define boundaries and clarify the nature of the basic counseling relationship
between the counselor and the client.
a. supervision contract
b. informed consent document
c. HIPAA document
d. release of information form
12. Of the following, which is an example of a behavior that might leave a mental health practitioner vulnerable to a
malpractice suit?
a. Used a procedure within the realm of accepted professional practice
b. Employed a technique that he or she was not trained to use
c. Used a procedure to which the client did not respond favorably
d. Explained the possible consequences of treatment and the client still wanted to participate in the process
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
13. To succeed in a malpractice claim, the plaintiff needs to show that a breach of duty did exist in which:
a. the practitioner failed to foresee the client’s intention to commit suicide despite warning signs that the client
was decompensating and/or the practitioner failed to provide the appropriate standard of care.
b. the client failed to get better in spite of reasonable care.
c. there was no professional relationship between therapist and client.
d. the client was explained informed consent in detail and the therapist practiced within his or her scope of
capacity.
14. Disclosures should be given in:
a. plain language in a culturally sensitive manner and must be understandable to clients, including minors and
people with impaired cognitive functioning.
b. elevated language that will impress consumers and give them confidence in the services they are about to
receive.
c. writing that makes it unnecessary to discuss informed consent during sessions.
d. several languages since we live in a multicultural society.
15. Joyce was hospitalized as a result of an attempted suicide. She tried to call her therapist before taking an overdose
of pills, but he could not be reached because he was on vacation and did not make provisions for a replacement
therapist while he was gone. This action constitutes the following type of professional negligence:
a. misdiagnosis.
b. client abandonment.
c. vicarious liability.
d. practicing beyond the scope of competency.
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
16. Inappropriate socialization with clients, burdening clients with a counselor’s personal problems, and putting clients in
awkward business situations are examples of:
a. inappropriate crisis intervention.
b. established therapeutic practices.
c. unhealthy transference relationships.
d. seeking balance in the counseling relationship.
17. Which of the following would be LEAST likely to lead to a malpractice suit?
a. Failure to obtain or document informed consent
b. Practicing beyond the scope of competency
c. Unhealthy transference relationships
d. Engaging in a bartering arrangement with a client
18. Which of the following situations do NOT justify the use of remote services consistent with ethical practice and in
keeping with regulatory standards?
a. When service is provided in the context of an existing therapy relationship
b. Wheninpersontreatmentiseitherdifficultorimpossibletoaccessduetoclient’sremotelocation
c. When remote services offer practical advantages over in-person treatment (i.e., a client’s busy schedule
makes remote sessions more efficient)
d. When the client desires remote sessions and the therapist has insufficient information about the client
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
19. In the event that a practitioner is sued, he or she should:
a. try to resolve the matter directly with the client.
b. destroy or alter files or reports that may be incriminating.
c. enter into personal therapy.
d. promptly retain an attorney.
20. ____________ can best be viewed as an ongoing process aimed at increasing the range of choices and the
responsibility of the client as an active therapeutic partner.
a. Diagnosis
b. Informed consent
c. Documentation
d. Case consultations
21. ___________ are essentially the same as psychotherapy notes. They address the client’s transference reactions
and the therapist’s subjective impressions of the client.
a. Process notes
b. Progress notes
c. Diagnostic notes
d. Treatment summary
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
22. Which of the following would NOT be found in managed care contracts?
a. “Gag clauses” that prohibit practitioners from sharing any negative information about managed care policies
b. Informing the client the managed care company may request a client’s diagnosis, results on any tests given, a
wide range of clinical information, treatment plans, and perhaps even the entire clinical record of a client
c. Information regarding limits of confidentiality and the potential repercussions of disclosing personal information
to insurance providers
d. Information regarding benefits, risks, and costs of various interventions
23. Fran has decided to start an online counseling practice. Which of the following have the potential to result in
unethical behavior?
a. Refusing to accept psychotic and/or seriously disturbed individuals as clients
b. Charging fees that are covered by insurance companies
c. Limiting and/or providing general diagnoses due to lack of behavioral clues
d. Promising confidentiality and privacy
24. Elena, your client of two years, has just received the news that she is losing her insurance coverage; however, she
recently had a breakthrough in therapy and needs to continue working on her issues. As an ethical therapist, you
should:
a. refer her to a community mental health center where she can get services at a low cost.
b. determine new payment terms so Elena can continue working with you.
c. terminate therapy and give Elena some good book references so she can work through her issues on her own.
d. terminate therapy and encourage Elena to look in the Yellow Pages for a new therapist who will accept a
sliding scale arrangement.
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
25. Samuel has been planning a two week vacation to Europe for months. He is a private practitioner and has a caseload
of clients who have dependency issues. As an ethical practitioner, Samuel should:
a. not inform his clients until a few days before he leaves.
b. not go on vacation so as to not increase his clients’ anxiety levels.
c. provide his clients with another therapist in case of need.
d. bring back a souvenir for each client to show them how important they are to him.
26. _______________ is the practice of focusing on the identification, evaluation, and treatment of problems that may
injure clients and lead
to filing an ethics complaint or a malpractice action.
a. Risk management
b. Informed consent
c. Termination
d. Standard of care
27. In regards to record keeping, the _________________ states: “Mental health counselors create, maintain, store,
transfer, and dispose of client records in ways that protect confidentiality and are in accordance with applicable
regulations or laws.”
a. National Association of Social Workers
b. American Mental Health Counselors Association
c. American Psychological Association
d. Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
28. _____________ is the failure to render professional services or to exercise the degree of skill that is ordinarily
expected of other professionals in a similar situation.
a. Risk management
b. Standard of care
c. Malpractice
d. Informed consent
29. Ignoring evidence of peer misconduct is:
a. self-preserving.
b. ethical.
c. an ethical violation.
d. illegal, but not unethical.
30. Records are:
a. vital to review the course of treatment. The manner in which you document treatment is likely to determine
the outcome of the case.
b. important; however, the legal system does not expect a therapist to spend hours documenting treatment.
c. only important during legal proceedings.
d. necessary in order to diagnose suicidal or homicidal clients only.
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
31. Which of the following is NOT a professional association’s ethical codes or guidelines in regards to technology and
online counseling?
a. Psychologists who offer online services inform clients of the risks to privacy and the limits of confidentiality.
b. Competence to provide online counseling is the most important aspect of ethical codes or guidelines.
c. Counselors are expected to inform clients of the benefits and limitations of using technology in the counseling
process.
d. Therapistsmust:(a)determinethatelectronictherapyisappropriateforclients,takingintoaccounttheclients’
intellectual, emotional, and physical needs; (b) inform clients of the potential risks and benefits associated with
electronic therapy; (c) ensure the security of their communication medium; and (d) only commence electronic
therapy after appropriate education, training, or supervised experience using the relevant technology.
32. California enacted a law in 2011 allowing mental health practitioners to treat minors (12 years or older) if:
a. a minor would like to enter into a counseling relationship; it is necessary to have informed parental or guardian
consent or for counseling to be court ordered.
b. the practitioner is informed by the minor he or she would like to enter into a counseling relationship for minor
educational purposes.
c. the practitioner determines the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently in outpatient treatment or
mental health counseling. However, the statute does require parental (or guardian) involvement in the
treatment unless the therapist finds, after consulting with the minor, that this would be inappropriate under the
circumstances.
d. there is no reason for a minor to be treated without parent consent.
33. Generally, the best way to proceed when you have concerns about the behavior of a colleague is to:
a. not address the problem until a client has been injured emotionally or physically.
b. speak with other colleagues to determine if they have the same concerns.
c. speak directly with the client about your colleague’s behavior.
d. dealdirectlywiththecolleague,unlessdoingsowouldcompromiseaclient’sconfidentiality.
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities
34. ____________ can result from unjustified departure from usual practice or from failing to exercise proper care in
fulfillingone’sresponsibilities.
a. Malpractice
b. Professional negligence
c. Standard of care
d. Termination
35. Which of the following is NOT an alternative technology to online counseling?
a. Tablets
b. Telehealth
c. Telephone counseling
d. Smartphones
Chapter5—ClientRightsandCounselorResponsibilities