Professional Orientation & Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real CPCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Orientation & Ethics flashcards as text
A counselor discovers mid-session that a client's presenting issue falls outside their area of competence. What is the most ethical course of action?
Answer: Refer the client to a qualified professional and, if needed, provide transitional support
ACA ethics require counselors to practice only within their competence boundaries and to refer clients when their needs exceed the counselor's scope.
Which foundational document establishes the ethical standards most widely used by professional counselors in the United States?
Answer: The ACA Code of Ethics
The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics is the primary ethical standard for professional counselors in the U.S.
A counselor is asked to provide records to a client's attorney without the client's written consent. Under HIPAA and ethical guidelines, the counselor should:
Answer: Request a valid authorization signed by the client before releasing records
HIPAA requires written client authorization before disclosing psychotherapy records to third parties, including attorneys, unless a court order compels disclosure.
The ethical principle of 'veracity' in counseling primarily refers to a counselor's obligation to:
Answer: Be truthful and honest with clients in all professional interactions
Veracity is the ethical commitment to honesty and truthfulness in all communications with clients and colleagues.
A school counselor learns that a 16-year-old student is engaging in consensual sexual activity with a same-age peer. Ethically, the counselor should:
Answer: Use professional judgment, as consensual peer activity typically does not trigger mandatory reporting
Consensual sexual activity between same-age adolescent peers generally does not meet mandatory reporting thresholds; counselors must apply professional judgment within state law.
Which term describes the ethical dilemma when a counselor's personal values conflict with a client's lifestyle or choices?
Answer: Values conflict or value imposition risk
A values conflict arises when a counselor's personal moral or religious beliefs differ from the client's lifestyle, requiring the counselor to bracket personal values or refer appropriately.
Under the ACA Code of Ethics, informed consent must be obtained:
Answer: On an ongoing basis as the therapeutic relationship and treatment evolve
Informed consent is an ongoing process; counselors must revisit and update client understanding as treatment goals, techniques, or circumstances change.