Ethical Practices & Professional Boundaries Flashcards

An RTT practitioner is working online with a client located in a different country. What ethical consideration is most critical?

Answer: Understanding the legal and ethical regulations that apply in both the practitioner's and client's jurisdictions

Cross-jurisdictional practice requires awareness of licensing, legal, and ethical rules in both locations to ensure compliant and ethical service delivery.

What is the purpose of a professional code of ethics in RTT practice?

Answer: To establish minimum standards of conduct that protect clients and uphold the integrity of the profession

A code of ethics sets the behavioral floor for all practitioners, protecting clients from harm and ensuring public trust in the profession.

A client shares information in session that leads the practitioner to suspect child abuse. What is the practitioner's ethical and legal obligation?

Answer: Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate child protective authorities as required by mandatory reporting laws

Mandatory reporting laws require practitioners to report reasonable suspicion of child abuse, superseding the usual duty of confidentiality.

How does 'beneficence' differ from 'non-maleficence' in the context of RTT ethics?

Answer: Beneficence means actively promoting the client's wellbeing; non-maleficence means avoiding causing harm

Beneficence is the positive duty to actively help, while non-maleficence is the duty to refrain from causing harm — both are required in ethical practice.

Which situation would represent an ethically appropriate use of client testimonials in an RTT practitioner's marketing?

Answer: Sharing testimonials only after obtaining explicit written client consent and ensuring the client's identity is protected

Testimonials are only ethically permissible when clients have given explicit, informed written consent and when privacy is protected to avoid identification.

What does ethical fee-setting in RTT practice require?

Answer: Establishing fees that are transparent, discussed before services begin, and not changed unexpectedly

Ethical fee practices require upfront disclosure and consistency, preventing financial exploitation and ensuring the client can make an informed decision to engage.

When is it ethically permissible for an RTT practitioner to break confidentiality without the client's consent?

Answer: When there is imminent risk of harm to the client or an identifiable third party, or when legally mandated

Confidentiality may be broken only in specific circumstances: imminent danger to the client or others, mandatory reporting obligations, or lawful court orders.