Which of the following is NOT an aspect of the LAW as defined by this exam?
A) Confidentiality, Privilege and Consent
B) Professional Competence
... [Show More] and Preventing Harm
C) Limits to Confidentiality/Mandated Reporting
D) Legal Standards of Professional Practice
B) Professional Competence and Preventing Harm (this is an aspect of Ethical Standards)
Legal Areas
A) Confidentiality, Privilege and Consent
B) Limits to Confidentiality/Mandated Reporting
C) Legal Standards of Professional Practice
Ethical Areas
A) Professional Competence and Preventing Harm
B) Therapeutic Relationship
C) Business Practices and Policies
Which of the following is NOT an aspect of the ETHICS as defined by this exam?
A) Professional Competence and Preventing Harm
B) Therapeutic Relationship
C) Business Practices and Policies
D) Confidentiality, Privilege and Consent
D) Confidentiality, Privilege and Consent
Legal Areas
A) Confidentiality, Privilege and Consent
B) Limits to Confidentiality/Mandated Reporting
C) Legal Standards of Professional Practice
Ethical Areas
A) Professional Competence and Preventing Harm
B) Therapeutic Relationship
C) Business Practices and Policies
What are the two conditions that allow an MFT to administer psychological tests?
1) The test is being administered to a current client being seen in therapy
2) The MFT has had sufficient training in the administration of the chosen test
An MFT is seeing a client who is severely depressed. Another client with a similar experience of depression began taking Celexa and has experience wonderful results. The MFT recommends that this client also look into taking Celexa. Did the MFT cross any legal or ethical boundaries in making this recommendation?
Yes. This recommendation is NOT within the scope of practice for MFTs and is therefor not legal.
MFT's cannot provide legal, medical or other guidance outside the scope or practice.
Recommending SPECIFIC medication is medical advice and outside the scope of practice. Instead, the MFT could explore the possibility of taking medication with the client, their thoughts and feelings about medication etc.
What is the difference between Scope of Practice and Scope of Competence?
Scope of Practice is set by the State Law and allows us to use "applied Therapeutic techniques" and make use of the training we received in school.
Scope of Competence is defined by our specific education, training and experience.
Is Scope of Competence a Legal Issue?
No. It is primarily an ethical issue. Scope of Practice is defined by law.
What is important to consider when making a client referral?
The client's level of need and type of need.
An MFT does not have experience working with clients who identify as LGBTQ and therefor routinely refers these clients out. Is this therapist adhering to the laws of Scope of Practice?
No. The therapist is allowing a personal impairment or discomfort to perpetuate potential discrimination against a protected group.
An MFT is seeing an adult client who is in an abusive relationship and would like to tell the client directly to leave the abuser and make a police report.
This would be:
A) Both legal and ethical
B) Neither legal or ethical
C) Legal, but not ethical
D) Ethical, but not legal
B) Neither Legal or Ethical
Not Legal: It is not appropriate to break confidentiality in this case as spousal/partner abuse is not part of mandated reporting
Not Ethical: MFTs are ethically prohibited from making major life decisions for their clients, such as entering or leaving a relationship.
Instead, the MFT could provide resources for domestic abuse survivors. Express concern and care for the client's well being. Explore options. Work to strengthen confidence or self-esteem etc.
How should an MFT resolve conflicts in Legal and Ethical Standards of Practice?
Always follow the stricter standard. When each standard is equally strong, follow the standard of law.
MFTs are required to inform clients of all but which of the following:
A) Limits of Confidentiality
B) Therapists Education and Training
C) The Client's Right to Autonomy
D) the potential risks and benefits of any new or experimental techniques
B) Therapists Education and Training
This is information is encouraged but not required as is information regarding training, theoretical orientation, specialties etc
An MFT works in an in patient hospital setting and works with clients who have been hospitalized as a danger to themselves or others. Can these clients voluntarily provide consent? How should the MFT treat these clients?
No. But the MFT can still treat them and must be responsible for protecting their welfare and taking steps to facilitate the clients ability to make decisions about treatment to the degree possible. Other groups that may not be able to provide consent include, children, clients under the influence of drugs or alcohol etc
How is the client's autonomy protected in case mandated therapy?
The client retains the rights to choose their therapist and treatment modality. They are required to be in counseling, but not required to see a specific therapist.
A therapist is contacted by a 14 year old who is having challenges at home. They would like to be seen in therapy and seem mature enough to participate intelligently in treatment. Can a 14 year old be seen without parental consent?
Yes. The therapist can determine that the child is mature enough to participate in treatment and see the child without parental consent (if the child is older than 12) They should still attempt to contact the child's parents for consent or document why they believe doing so may be harmful. Parents do not have [Show Less]