NBCC Professional Orientation, Ethics & Legal Issues — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which document outlines the ethical responsibilities of counselors?

DSM-5
HIPAA
ACA Code of Ethics (Correct answer)
State licensure manual

Correct answer: ACA Code of Ethics

The ACA Code of Ethics, published by the American Counseling Association, serves as the authoritative guide outlining the ethical responsibilities and professional standards for counselors. It provides comprehensive principles and guidelines to ensure client welfare, maintain professional integrity, and address complex ethical dilemmas in practice.

Question 2: What should a counselor do if a client threatens harm to others?

Ignore the statement
Discuss in the next session
Warn the potential victim and notify authorities (Correct answer)
Tell the client’s employer

Correct answer: Warn the potential victim and notify authorities

When a client expresses a serious and imminent threat of harm to an identifiable third party, counselors have a legal and ethical 'duty to warn' the potential victim and notify appropriate authorities. This principle, established by the Tarasoff case, mandates breaching confidentiality to protect others from foreseeable danger.

Question 3: What is informed consent?

A signed waiver of liability
Agreement for future billing
Client’s understanding and agreement to participate (Correct answer)
Consent to record sessions

Correct answer: Client’s understanding and agreement to participate

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in counseling, ensuring clients have a clear understanding of the therapeutic process before agreeing to participate. It involves providing comprehensive information about the nature of services, risks, benefits, confidentiality limits, and client rights, allowing for a voluntary and autonomous decision.

Question 4: Dual relationships are considered unethical when:

The counselor gives a referral
The client chooses to end counseling
It causes harm or interferes with objectivity (Correct answer)
Sessions occur online

Correct answer: It causes harm or interferes with objectivity

Dual relationships occur when a counselor has both a professional and another type of relationship with a client. These relationships are considered unethical and harmful when they compromise the counselor's objectivity, impair their professional judgment, or create a risk of exploitation or harm to the client.

Question 5: Which law protects the privacy of health-related information?

FERPA
ADA
HIPAA (Correct answer)
ACA

Correct answer: HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law enacted to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information. It sets national standards for the handling of sensitive patient data by healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities, ensuring confidentiality and patient rights.

Question 6: How often should counselors review ethical codes and legal updates?

Only during licensure renewal
Annually or as updates are released (Correct answer)
When clients ask
Once every 10 years

Correct answer: Annually or as updates are released

Ethical codes and legal regulations in the counseling profession are dynamic and subject to change. Counselors have a professional obligation to stay current with these updates, typically by reviewing them annually or whenever new versions or amendments are released, to ensure their practice remains compliant and ethically sound.

NBCC Professional Orientation, Ethics & Legal Issues

Which document outlines the ethical responsibilities of counselors?

Select your answer