LCSW Ethics and Professional Standards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client discloses they plan to harm a specific person. Under the Tarasoff duty-to-protect ruling, the LCSW must first:
- Immediately hospitalize the client
- Warn the identified potential victim and notify law enforcement (Correct answer)
- Document the threat and continue therapy as normal
- Consult with a supervisor before taking any action
Correct answer: Warn the identified potential victim and notify law enforcement
The Tarasoff ruling establishes that therapists have a duty to protect identifiable third parties from credible threats made by clients.
Question 2: Which NASW Code of Ethics standard specifically addresses the social worker's responsibility to maintain professional boundaries with clients?
- Standard 1.01 – Commitment to Clients
- Standard 1.06 – Conflicts of Interest (Correct answer)
- Standard 1.09 – Sexual Relationships
- Standard 1.07 – Privacy and Confidentiality
Correct answer: Standard 1.06 – Conflicts of Interest
NASW Standard 1.06 addresses conflicts of interest, which includes maintaining appropriate boundaries to avoid dual relationships.
Question 3: An LCSW discovers they share a close mutual friend with a new client. The BEST ethical course of action is to:
- Continue treatment since friendship is unrelated to therapy
- Disclose the connection and assess whether to refer the client (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate and refer without explanation
- Consult a peer without disclosing identifying information
Correct answer: Disclose the connection and assess whether to refer the client
Disclosing the potential dual relationship and collaboratively deciding whether to refer protects the client's welfare and upholds ethical integrity.
Question 4: Informed consent in clinical social work practice must include all of the following EXCEPT:
- The nature and purpose of treatment
- The risks and benefits of treatment
- A guarantee of treatment outcomes (Correct answer)
- The client's right to refuse or withdraw consent
Correct answer: A guarantee of treatment outcomes
Informed consent never includes guarantees of outcomes because no practitioner can ethically promise specific treatment results.
Question 5: When an LCSW suspects a colleague is practicing while impaired by substance use, the NASW Code of Ethics directs the social worker to:
- Report the colleague directly to the state licensing board
- Consult with an attorney before taking any action
- Address the concern with the colleague and report if necessary (Correct answer)
- Ignore it since it does not involve the social worker's clients
Correct answer: Address the concern with the colleague and report if necessary
NASW ethics call for first attempting to address the concern with the colleague directly, then pursuing formal channels if the problem persists.
Question 6: A minor client (age 15) shares information about self-harm behavior. Regarding confidentiality, the LCSW should:
- Disclose all information to parents immediately without client involvement
- Maintain strict confidentiality since the client is the primary client
- Assess imminent risk and involve parents as clinically and legally appropriate (Correct answer)
- Transfer the case to a provider specializing in minors
Correct answer: Assess imminent risk and involve parents as clinically and legally appropriate
The LCSW must balance confidentiality with safety obligations, involving parents when there is imminent risk while considering state law and clinical judgment.
LCSW Ethics and Professional Standards 1
A client discloses they plan to harm a specific person.
Under the Tarasoff duty-to-protect ruling, the LCSW must first: