MFT Professional Ethics 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An MFT's client base is predominantly from a cultural group unfamiliar to the therapist. Ethically, the therapist should:
- Refer all clients from that group to a therapist of the same background
- Seek cultural competence training and supervision to provide effective services (Correct answer)
- Treat all clients identically regardless of cultural background
- Disclose personal cultural biases to every client
Correct answer: Seek cultural competence training and supervision to provide effective services
MFTs have an ethical obligation to develop cultural competence through training, supervision, and ongoing education when serving diverse populations.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'professional will' as it applies to MFT practice?
- A legal document detailing how to distribute the therapist's assets
- A plan ensuring client care continuity if the therapist dies or becomes incapacitated (Correct answer)
- A therapist's commitment to professional development
- An agreement between therapy partners about case management
Correct answer: A plan ensuring client care continuity if the therapist dies or becomes incapacitated
A professional will designates a colleague to manage client transitions, record security, and ongoing care if the therapist is suddenly unable to practice.
Question 3: Under the AAMFT Code of Ethics, when an MFT becomes aware of an ethical violation by a colleague, they are expected to:
- Report the colleague to the state board immediately
- Address the concern with the colleague first if it does not jeopardize client welfare, then consider formal reporting (Correct answer)
- Maintain silence to protect the profession's reputation
- Terminate all professional interactions with that colleague
Correct answer: Address the concern with the colleague first if it does not jeopardize client welfare, then consider formal reporting
The AAMFT Code encourages addressing ethical concerns informally with the colleague first when doing so does not risk client harm, before escalating to formal reporting.
Question 4: A therapist treating a family learns that the adolescent identified patient has begun using marijuana recreationally, which is legal in their state. The therapist must:
- Report the minor to law enforcement
- Break confidentiality and inform the parents immediately
- Assess whether use poses a risk to the minor and address it clinically within existing confidentiality guidelines (Correct answer)
- Terminate therapy due to substance use
Correct answer: Assess whether use poses a risk to the minor and address it clinically within existing confidentiality guidelines
Legal substance use by a minor should be clinically assessed for risk; confidentiality should be broken only if the minor is in significant danger.
Question 5: The ethical principle of 'fidelity' in MFT practice primarily refers to:
- Billing clients accurately
- Keeping promises and honoring commitments to clients, colleagues, and the profession (Correct answer)
- Maintaining cultural loyalty to the therapist's background
- Faithfully following a specific therapeutic model
Correct answer: Keeping promises and honoring commitments to clients, colleagues, and the profession
Fidelity involves being trustworthy and keeping professional commitments, including honoring confidentiality agreements and therapeutic contracts.
Question 6: When considering whether to accept a client who is a distant acquaintance, an MFT should primarily evaluate:
- Whether the client has adequate insurance coverage
- The likelihood that the prior relationship will impair therapeutic objectivity or harm the client (Correct answer)
- Whether colleagues will learn of the dual relationship
- Whether the client prefers a therapist they already know
Correct answer: The likelihood that the prior relationship will impair therapeutic objectivity or harm the client
The core ethical question is whether any prior relationship will compromise the therapist's objectivity or the client's welfare.
Question 7: A client asks their MFT to write a letter exaggerating symptoms to help them obtain disability benefits. The therapist should:
- Write the letter to support the client's financial needs
- Refuse, as submitting inaccurate documentation constitutes fraud (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to another provider who may be more sympathetic
- Agree only if the client signs a liability waiver
Correct answer: Refuse, as submitting inaccurate documentation constitutes fraud
Writing fraudulent documentation violates ethical principles of honesty, harms third parties, and constitutes professional misconduct and potential fraud.
MFT Professional Ethics 5
An MFT's client base is predominantly from a cultural group unfamiliar to the therapist.
Ethically, the therapist should: