MFT Professional Ethics 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An MFT is subpoenaed to testify about a client's treatment. The most appropriate initial action is to:
- Immediately comply and disclose all records
- Consult with an attorney and notify the client before releasing information (Correct answer)
- Refuse to appear in court under all circumstances
- Ask the client whether to comply with the subpoena
Correct answer: Consult with an attorney and notify the client before releasing information
A subpoena does not automatically waive privilege; the therapist should consult an attorney and notify the client to allow them to assert privilege.
Question 2: In telehealth MFT practice, which ethical issue is uniquely heightened compared to in-person therapy?
- The requirement for informed consent
- Verifying client identity and ensuring platform security and confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Establishing a therapeutic alliance
- Conducting a mental status examination
Correct answer: Verifying client identity and ensuring platform security and confidentiality
Telehealth introduces unique challenges around verifying client identity, ensuring secure communication platforms, and addressing cross-jurisdictional licensing issues.
Question 3: A client in group therapy discloses a secret shared by another group member outside the group. The therapist's responsibility is to:
- Expel the disclosing client from the group
- Address confidentiality expectations with the entire group (Correct answer)
- Report the breach to the licensing board
- Ignore the issue to avoid group disruption
Correct answer: Address confidentiality expectations with the entire group
While therapists cannot legally guarantee confidentiality among group members, they are responsible for establishing clear norms and addressing breaches therapeutically.
Question 4: The concept of 'beneficence' in MFT ethics requires the therapist to:
- Do no harm to the client
- Actively promote the client's well-being (Correct answer)
- Treat all clients equally regardless of need
- Provide services at reduced cost
Correct answer: Actively promote the client's well-being
Beneficence means actively contributing to the client's welfare, going beyond simply avoiding harm (nonmaleficence).
Question 5: When an MFT is treating a couple and one partner confides suicidal ideation in an individual session, the therapist must first:
- Disclose the information to the spouse immediately
- Assess the immediacy and lethality of the risk before determining next steps (Correct answer)
- Terminate conjoint therapy immediately
- Contact the client's primary care physician
Correct answer: Assess the immediacy and lethality of the risk before determining next steps
Thorough risk assessment of the suicidal client's safety is always the first clinical and ethical priority.
Question 6: An MFT receives a request from a managed care company for a client's entire treatment file. Ethically, the therapist should:
- Release all records as insurers have automatic access
- Release only the minimum necessary information required for the purpose (Correct answer)
- Refuse all disclosure to insurance companies
- Ask the client to handle the request directly
Correct answer: Release only the minimum necessary information required for the purpose
The HIPAA 'minimum necessary' standard requires releasing only the information needed for the specific purpose, even to insurance companies.
Question 7: A client experiencing a manic episode insists on making major financial decisions and refuses further therapy. The therapist should:
- Accept the termination and take no further action
- Involuntarily hospitalize the client
- Document concerns, provide crisis resources, and consider whether the client poses danger to themselves (Correct answer)
- Contact the client's family to override the client's decision
Correct answer: Document concerns, provide crisis resources, and consider whether the client poses danger to themselves
Respecting autonomy must be balanced with duty of care; the therapist should document clinical concerns, offer resources, and assess for safety.
MFT Professional Ethics 4
An MFT is subpoenaed to testify about a client's treatment.
The most appropriate initial action is to: