Question 1

Why can it be problematic for an ongoing therapist of an individual parent to become involved in a child custody dispute during a divorce proceeding? What strategies should a counselor or therapist use to avoid such problems?

Accepted Answer

It can be problematic for an ongoing therapist of an individual parent to become involved in a child custody dispute during a divorce proceeding for several reasons. First, the therapist's involvement in the dispute may compromise their ability to remain neutral and provide unbiased support to their client. This could potentially damage the therapeutic relationship and hinder the client's progress in therapy. Additionally, the therapist's involvement in the dispute may also create a conflict of interest, as they may be seen as advocating for their client's interests in the custody dispute rather than focusing on the client's mental health needs.

To avoid such problems, a counselor or therapist should establish clear boundaries and maintain a neutral stance when it comes to legal matters such as child custody disputes. They should refrain from providing opinions or recommendations regarding the custody arrangement and instead focus on supporting their client's emotional well-being during the divorce process. It is also important for the therapist to communicate with their client about the potential risks of involving them in the custody dispute and to discuss alternative sources of support for legal matters, such as seeking guidance from a family law attorney or mediator. By maintaining professional boundaries and prioritizing the client's mental health needs, a therapist can avoid becoming entangled in the complexities of a child custody dispute during a divorce proceeding.

Question 2

In community practice "pirating" refers to:

Accepted Answer

A)   Using other professionals' advertisements and client literature
B)   Trying to hire competent professionals away from other agencies to work in your own agency
C)   Accepting fee-paying clients who are already in treatment with other mental health professionals
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above C

Question 3

If a client fails to pay for professional services and builds up a significant debt what ethical steps can a counselor or therapist take to collect the fees legitimately due? What steps should the counselor have taken when counseling began in anticipation of problems with fees?

Accepted Answer

As a counselor or therapist, it is important to address the issue of unpaid fees in an ethical and professional manner. The first step would be to have a clear and transparent fee policy in place from the beginning of the counseling relationship. This policy should outline the fees for services, the payment schedule, and the consequences of non-payment.

If a client fails to pay for professional services and builds up a significant debt, the counselor or therapist can take the following ethical steps to collect the fees legitimately due:

1. Open and honest communication: The counselor should have a conversation with the client about the unpaid fees and try to understand the reasons behind the non-payment. It is important to approach this conversation with empathy and understanding, as there may be legitimate reasons for the non-payment.

2. Offer payment options: The counselor can work with the client to come up with a payment plan that is manageable for the client. This could include setting up a payment schedule or offering a reduced fee based on the client's financial situation.

3. Provide a written agreement: If a payment plan is agreed upon, it is important to have a written agreement outlining the terms of the plan, including the amount owed, the payment schedule, and any consequences for non-payment.

4. Seek legal advice if necessary: If the client refuses to pay or is unable to come to a payment agreement, the counselor may need to seek legal advice on how to proceed. This could involve taking the client to small claims court or working with a collections agency.

In anticipation of problems with fees, the counselor should have taken the following steps when counseling began:

1. Clearly outline the fee policy: The counselor should have clearly communicated the fee policy to the client at the beginning of the counseling relationship. This includes discussing the fees for services, the payment schedule, and any consequences for non-payment.

2. Discuss financial concerns: The counselor should have had a conversation with the client about any financial concerns or limitations that may impact their ability to pay for counseling services. This could have helped to address any potential issues with fees before they became a problem.

3. Offer sliding scale or reduced fee options: If the client expressed financial concerns at the beginning of the counseling relationship, the counselor could have offered sliding scale or reduced fee options to make counseling more affordable for the client.

Overall, it is important for counselors and therapists to approach the issue of unpaid fees with empathy, understanding, and professionalism. By having clear fee policies in place and addressing financial concerns from the beginning, counselors can help to prevent and address issues with unpaid fees in an ethical manner.

Question 4

A consultant may be acting unethically if he or she:

Accepted Answer

A)   Fails to involve all parties in the development of a consultation agreement
B)   Informs employees that their disclosures to a consultant may not be held as confidential
C)   Allow others to misinterpret and misuse the findings from the consultation
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above

Question 5

Forensic work carries with it risks of unethical practice because:

Accepted Answer

A)   Professionals who get involved with the courts are highly motivated by financial considerations
B)   The norms of the court and the counseling profession are different
C)   The risks of sexual misconduct charges are greater
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above

Question 6

The legal criteria for involuntary hospitalization typically include:

Accepted Answer

A)   The use of the least restrictive environment possible
B)   The involvement of police in the commitment process
C)   An initial commitment period of 30 days
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above

Question 7

Identify at least three questions that mental health professionals should ask themselves when they are developing advertisements to market their practices or agencies. Give an example of an appropriate advertisement and an inappropriate advertisement using these guidelines.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify at least three questions that mental...

Question 8

Mental health professionals who are frustrated with the restrictions placed on reimbursement by managed care:

Accepted Answer

A)   Are free to modify diagnoses to meet diagnostic criteria in order to obtain services for clients who cannot afford to pay for them
B)   Must make treatment decisions on the basis of eligibility for reimbursement
C)   Must appeal denials of care to the managed care company
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above

Question 9

Define the term "unconscious fiscal convenience"
and give at least three examples of how it might be operating among professionals in private practice.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the term "unconscious fiscal convenience"
and give...

Question 10

Assuming that you have an adult client with symptoms of major depression who is being treated in a community agency, identify the six major categories of information that ought to be included in that client's record according to Piazza and Baruth. If that client becomes suicidal, what additional information should be included in the record?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Assuming that you have an adult client...

Question 11

When professionals become consultants, one set of ethical issues they face revolve around dual relationship issues and definitions of appropriate boundaries. Discuss the ethical issues embedded in consultative relationships and the guidelines suggested by ethics scholars to deal with these dilemmas in an ethical way.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When professionals become consultants, one set of...

Question 12

A professional who uses a collection service to obtain unpaid fees from clients should:

Accepted Answer

A)   Reconsider and refrain from use of a collection service because the codes prohibit it
B)   Give the collection service only a client first name and phone number to protect client anonymity
C)   Call the client prior to use of the service and ask for payment again
D)   Refrain from having sessions with the client after the collection service has been called
E)   All of the aboveF)  None of the above

Question 13

What criteria do most states use to decide whether to hospitalize someone with mental health problems involuntarily? How should confidential client information be handled in the event of an involuntary hospitalization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What criteria do most states use to...

Question 14

What does the term "undue influence"
means and how might it come into play in professionals' interactions with the media?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does the term "undue influence"
means and...

Question 15

According to the text, which of the following is a common violation when professionals interact with the media?

Accepted Answer

A)   Making disparaging comments about other professions
B)   Failing to present one's credential accurately
C)   Distributing business cards to all those in the media who might refer clients to them
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above

Question 16

Which of the following is currently prohibited by the ethics code:

Accepted Answer

A)   Using a testimonial from a former client who volunteers to give one
B)   Soliciting a testimonial from a former client
C)   Soliciting of business from other professionals in the community
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above

Question 17

Identify at least four major ethical issues that interactions with managed care organizations raise for mental health professionals and discuss strategies professionals can use to cope responsibly with these issues.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify at least four major ethical issues...

Question 18

Define the term "fee splitting"
and discuss the view of the ethics codes on this topic.Explain whether participation in provider networks of managed care organizations falls within the purview of fee splitting.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the term "fee splitting"
and discuss the...

Question 19

A professional who had obtained a doctorate in anthropology prior to completing a Master's degree in social work and earning a license as a clinical social worker may use the following title in advertising her professional services:

Accepted Answer

A)   Dr. Saunders
B)   Ms. Saunders
C)   Carly Saunders, Ph.D., MSW, LISW
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above

Question 20

Guidelines for record keeping for counseling and therapy clients recommend that:

Accepted Answer

A)   Copies of records be kept for 6 months after therapy has ended
B)   Records be written as though clients were reading them
C)   Professionals keep electronic records of treatment rather than paper records
D)   All of the above
E)   None of the above

Exam 11: Ethics in Community, Consulting and Forensic Settings: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest