Professional Orientation, Ethics & Legal Issues Flashcards
6 cards from real NBCC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Professional Orientation, Ethics & Legal Issues flashcards as text
Which document outlines the ethical responsibilities of counselors?
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.
What should a counselor do if a client threatens harm to others?
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.
What is informed consent?
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.
Dual relationships are considered unethical when:
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.
Which law protects the privacy of health-related information?
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.
How often should counselors review ethical codes and legal updates?
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.