Term
| As part of her telehealth practice, a therapist offers quick online surveys to help clients decide if they want therapy. The surveys ask standard questions for typical diagnoses. One day, a client asks for an in-person session because the test suggested that her child has AD/HD. How should the therapist proceed with informed consent? |
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Definition
Clarify that the client wants you to assess her child for AD/HD
The client found you due to your online assessment; clarifying its relationship to in-person treatment would be an ethical way to proceed |
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Term
| Your client of six months, Dale, who was referred to you by her wheelchair aerobics instructor, comes to session with her 16-year old daughter Natasha. Dale is worried about abrupt changes in Natasha, who has suddenly become argumentative and secretive. Natasha continues, "I'm sick and tired of helping her get to the bathroom. I want to be out with my friends." How would manage your ethical obligations as they pertain to diversity? |
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Definition
Educate yourself on the psychosocial impact of being in a wheelchair.
A better understanding of the issues Dale and Natasha face as a result of Dale's disability would certainly be an important aspect of their treatment and would meet your ETHICAL obligations. |
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Term
| A therapist receives a phone call from a young woman who asks if they can talk before she makes an appointment. In an initial phone call, the woman introduces herself and asks how long you have been a therapist. Missie tells you that she is depressed and that there is no pleasure or joy in anything she does. She doesn't have a lot of time or a lot of money, but wants to know if you can help her to feel better. What is the therapist's obligation? |
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Definition
Evaluate the seriousness of her depression to determine if you can treat her.
The therapist's ethical obligation is to determine if the client will benefit from treatment, which requires an assessment of the presenting problem. |
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Term
| A self-referred client comes to you wanting therapy for work problems. During the intake, the client reveals he has been going to another therapist for the last four months, but states, "I'm planning to leave her anyway." The client admits he has not discussed this with his current therapist and says, "I'm seeing her for a different issue, anyway." What is your ethical responsibility in this situation? |
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Definition
Inform the client that you will be unable to see him until he has terminated with his current therapist.
Informing the client that you will be unable to see him until he has terminated with his current therapist would be the most ethical solution. |
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Term
| The Humburgs come to counseling with their 16-year-old son, Cameron, because they found drugs in his room. They don't want the other two children, ages 9 and 11, to know. They want you to suggest some strategies to help Cameron overcome this problem. Ethically, you would: |
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Definition
Inform them of the risks and benefits of Family Systems therapy; see just the three of them.
Ethically you have to explain the parameters of therapy. |
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Term
| Albert and Frank are referred to a therapist for conjoint counseling. Albert does not like it that Frank is so controlling, and Frank's problem is that he considers Albert to be lazy. In one session, their arguing becomes so aggressive that you consider seeing them separately. Albert says it would be a good idea and Frank says that he will do whatever is best. Ethically, how should the therapist proceed if individual therapy is agreed upon? |
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Definition
Tell them how individual therapy will be different from conjoint therapy.
In order to help them make the decision about starting individual therapy, you would provide some parameters so there is informed consent. |
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Term
| The Baker family comes to counseling referred by their pastor. Derek, their 14-year-old son, has been hanging out with a "bad crowd." He isn't doing his homework, is sloppy doing chores, and has failed to show up for choir practice at the church. Their other child, Sarah, who is 12 years old, not only doesn't want to go to choir practice, she doesn't want to go to church at all. Sarah says, "I don't care if I go to hell, at least I'll be able to sleep in on Sundays!" Mr. and Mrs. Baker say they don't want to "do anything rash." "Please help," says Mrs. Baker. How would you proceed with managing your ethical responsibilities? |
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Definition
| Ask Mrs. Baker what she means by "help." This is a way of providing informed consent about client's expectations. |
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Term
| After a crisis in her own life, a therapist cancels her appointments with clients for two weeks. What must she also do to meet ethical obligations? |
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Definition
Give the clients at least three referrals for other therapists.
Providing referrals for any time a therapist cannot meet clients' needs is part of the scope of competence. |
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Term
| Rhonda, a 22-year-old college student, comes to therapy looking for advice. She says her boyfriend hit her last week and now she knows she should leave him, but it's very hard to do. In the past Rhonda has told him she didn't want to see him anymore, but she always gives in when he calls to get together again. She finds herself saying, "just one more time." She hates being alone and ends up seeing him for companionship. At the end of the session, she asks you if therapy is going to be able to help her. What is your next step? |
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Definition
Explain the pros and cons of therapy.
This question is asking you to respond to a client's inquiry about whether therapy will be helpful. Explaining the pros and cons of therapy addresses this concern. |
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Term
| Your client that you see irregularly and who owes you for several sessions calls you to complain that a collections agency is "harassing" her by sending a notice every day with "threats about my credit report." She tells you that she would like to terminate therapy and will send you a check for the full balance. What is your legal obligation? |
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Definition
Terminate treatment.
The client said that she wants to terminate and she has not paid for several sessions. Termination is appropriate. |
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Term
| You've been seeing a couple for marital therapy. The husband arrives for their weekly session alone and reports that his wife is staying in the car. He says that she refuses to come to your office because you are always taking his side. He wants to go ahead with the session without her. You decide to: |
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Definition
Make another appointment for both of them, since the couple is your client.
In conducting marital therapy, your client is the couple. By asking that both partners be present, you are demonstrating that you do not take sides. This might encourage the wife to attend the next session in order to explore her feelings of being treated unfairly. |
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Term
| You have been seeing your client, Anne for seven months who pays through her insurance company. She goes on vacation for three weeks and calls to schedule her next appointment. You explain to Anne that her insurance takes a long time to reimburse you. You give Anne the option to pay your full fee or to be given several referrals to other therapists. Is this ethically sound? |
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Definition
| No, because this is financial exploitation and does not demonstrate a clinically sound reason to terminate therapy. |
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Term
| You receive a call from an individual who would like to set up an appointment. She received your name from a friend of hers who is a current client. During your phone call, she tells you that she has been working with another therapist, but is very unhappy with the progress. Ethically, you would tell her: |
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Definition
That you won't see her.
By process of elimination this is the only possible answer that maintains an ethical standard. |
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Term
| Joe and Marcie Green and their three children ages 12, 15 and 17 have been in family therapy with you for about 9 months on a regular basis. Joe says that they are getting along much better. Marcie says that the children seem to be willing to spend more time at home and are arguing less with each other. They think that things are so much better that they are ready to end treatment. What is your ethical obligation after deciding to terminate family therapy? |
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Definition
Recommend individual therapy if there are any regressive symptoms in any individual.
If the family wants to terminate but one person might still be in need of individual treatment, it would be ethical to recommend this |
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Term
| In her first session, Shannon, who is highly anxious, asks you how long therapy will last. You would: |
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Definition
Outline the process of treatment.
Engaging in the process of informed consent, for example, explaining the therapeutic process at the beginning of therapy, is an ethical obligation. |
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Term
| The best time to establish your office policies with a client is: |
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Definition
At the commencement of treatment.
At the beginning of the first session is the best answer. You would want to have an ongoing review of policies, as needed, throughout the course of treatment. |
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Term
| A male client comes to see you for the first time. As he talks, you begin to realize that he is definitely going to harm someone. He has a plan and is going to act, but he has not identified his intended victim to you yet. Just as he is about to tell you the identity of the name of the intended victim, you realize that you have not explained to him the limits of confidentiality: |
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Definition
Proceed with the session, and carry out your duty to protect, per Tarasoff, if he identifies the potential victim.
This is what you would have to do. At this point, the well-being of the potential victim legally outweighs the ethical concerns about informed consent. |
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Term
| Your 15-year-old client is using a false email and social network page to bully other students at school. He tells you he does it so that the school won't catch him. He is in therapy with the consent of his parents, and you have a release to speak with the school. If the school calls and you decide to speak with the school, how do you fulfill your ethical obligations for informed consent |
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Definition
Tell the client what you plan to tell the school.
The best ethical approach before speaking with the school, even if your disclosure is narrow, is to discuss it with the client first. |
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Term
| Two years and one day after terminating with your client Bob, he calls you and says that he has extra tickets to the NBA playoff game tonight and would like to invite you to the game with him and his wife. Under what circumstances might it be ethically appropriate for you to accept? |
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Definition
Under no circumstances since a client is always a client and this could constitute a dual relationship.
Non-sexual, post-therapy relationships may be ethical depending upon the reasonableness of the post-therapeutic relationship and the reasonableness of the time since therapy. However, the highest ethical standard is to avoid relationships with former clients because they may want to return to therapy. |
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Term
| A potential client was referred to you by a former client. He is specifically requesting "psychoanalysis," is willing to pay cash and wants to see you 2-3 times a week. You work from an Existential theoretical orientation. You know a supervisor who works psychoanalytically, and you believe you would receive good supervision from him if you were to see this client. What will you do? |
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Definition
Explore with the client what he means by "psychoanalysis." Educate him on your theoretical approach and inform him of your limitations regarding psychoanalysis. Let him decide if he would like to continue therapy with you or receive referrals.
It would be important to explore with the client what he means by "psychoanalysis," as he may be referring to psychotherapy in a more general way. As part of informed consent, it is also important to explain to him about your theoretical approach so that he is informed about the service you do offer. This puts him in a position to make an educated decision about continuing therapy with you or receiving referrals for other therapists. |
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Term
| A 17-year-old girl, Janet, is referred to you by her school counselor. Janet's nose, eyebrow and tongue are pierced, and her hair is dyed green and yellow. Janet says that recently, her twin brother Michael comes into her room at night and tries to "play sleep-over" with her. Janet tells you that a cute boy she met at a rave last week wants her to move in with him. She asks you not to tell her parents that she's seeing you because they're "extremely religious." How would you manage your ethical responsibilities if you were working with the entire family? |
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Definition
Clarify for the family how your therapeutic work differs from religious counseling.
This response addresses your client's expectations about therapy and promotes a better understanding of the process. |
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Term
| You find out that your client Joyce has been living with John for one year. John has a son who has become violent with Joyce on several occasions. She states that she really cares for John but doesn't know what to do about his son. How would you handle this situation? |
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Definition
Provide Joyce with safety information.
As Joyce appears to be the victim of abuse by John's son, it is important that you provide her with safety information. |
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Term
| A therapist has been treating Ronald, age 12, for the last 8 months. He has been dealing with feelings of depression and tells you that he is not doing well in school. He tells you that his parents recently filed for divorce and he does not know with which parent he wants to live. A few weeks later, you receive a call from an attorney who tells you that she was appointed to represent Ronald in the divorce proceedings. She is requesting a copy of your records. How do you respond in this situation ethically? |
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Definition
Having determined that the lawyer is the child's counsel, you would release your clinical records to her and tell your client that you are doing so.
In custody or visitation proceedings if a child is represented by an attorney, that person has the right to obtain a child's clinical records or to interview the assessing or treating social worker. Ethically, you would also discuss this confidentiality issue with your client. |
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Term
| Steven comes to you for help with debilitating anxiety. He says that his anxiety is beginning to interfere with his relationships and his job. He is afraid to drive his car because he thinks that he is going to hit someone. He doesn't know how he will ever take a girl out on a date or get to work if he doesn't get control over this. He thinks he should be able to get over this by himself. The therapist should begin by: |
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Definition
Assessing whether a medication evaluation would be necessary.
From an ethical point (safety-minded) of view, a therapist would first need to consider all treatment modalities to help a client. In this case, that would include considering whether his anxiety is so severe that medication would help him benefit from therapeutic interventions. |
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Term
| What is a therapist legally required to disclose to a client at the beginning of treatment? |
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Definition
The fee and the true name and license of the designated owner of the practice.
The fee and the name of the owner of the practice, if using a fictitious business name, are legally required disclosures at the onset of therapy. |
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Term
| Isaac and Fanny want their son Adam to have his Bar Mitzvah ceremony at the Orthodox synagogue that they belong to. Adam will only agree to study for his Bar Mitzvah at the local youth-oriented Hillel Temple that is less traditional. As a therapist, the most helpful initial step would be to: |
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Definition
Ask each family member to explain to you from their point-of-view the meaning this religious ceremony has to them and their family.
The most inclusive and culturally considerate answer would be to have each family member represent their own views on religion and discuss the impact of religion on the family as a whole. |
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Term
| A therapist has been working with a difficult and resistant client for several months. The therapist might make some referrals to other therapists because: |
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Definition
The therapist and client both agree that it seems as if no further progress can be made.
This is the best answer since it takes into account both therapist and client and the issue of client progress |
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Term
| A client who has been in individual therapy wants to bring her children for therapy. The first thing a therapist must do if the therapist agrees to see the children with their mother is: |
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Definition
Provide informed consent.
Before changing the unit of treatment, which is including the children in this vignette, the therapist would need to provide informed consent with the primary client. |
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Term
| A therapist was recently hired at an agency that specializes in work with victims of domestic violence. The agency policy states that the therapist must not include any mandated information in the client's file because it puts the children at risk of stigma if their files are ever subpoenaed. The therapist is responsible for: |
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Definition
Including a child abuse report in a separate file if one is made.
Whatever the agency policy is, a mandated breach of confidentiality must be included in the client's file. A child abuse report may be kept separate from the treatment file to preserve the child's confidentiality, but it cannot be omitted entirely. |
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Term
| A therapist terminates treatment with a client after six months of therapy. The client files a complaint about this. In order to demonstrate that the therapist had sound reasons for deciding to terminate the treatment, all of the following could be acceptable reasons for terminating EXCEPT: |
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Definition
The therapist wants to change the focus of his or her practice and only treat "high functioning" clients.
Deciding to change the focus of practice would not be sound ethical or clinical reasons for deciding to terminate treatment with an ongoing client. |
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Term
| Therapists are required by law to comply with certain legal standards in the state in which they are licensed. All of the following are legal issues EXCEPT: |
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Definition
Asking your client, who is a contractor, for information about drywall.
Engaging in a separate and distinct relationship either spontaneously within a therapeutic relationship, or after a reasonable period of time following the termination of the therapeutic relationship, constitutes a dual relationship. This is an ethical issue. |
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Term
| Jessica, age 14, comes to see you with her mother. She appears withdrawn and fatigued and refuses to speak with you. Her mother explains that in the last few months Jessica's behavior has changed drastically. How would you manage this family's treatment needs from an ethical perspective? |
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Definition
Discuss the risks and benefits of seeing them as a unit and of seeing Jessica individually.
You would need to determine the unit of treatment before doing any of the other actions |
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Term
| Mr. and Mrs. Chavez come to see you because they are referred to you by their physician. Their doctor has told them that their youngest son, age 6, has a kidney disorder that will require surgery in the near future. The couple believes that God will intervene in this situation and refuse surgery based on their religious beliefs. Which of the following statements is the BEST response to this situation? |
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Definition
You are mandated to report this situation to a children's protective agency.
This is a mandated report because the therapist has reasonable suspicion of neglect based on the doctor's medical diagnosis. Although the parents have consulted with a doctor, their decision to not seek care based on the doctor's findings constitutes reasonable suspicion of medical neglect. |
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Term
| Mary is a married 17-year-old who was recently raped by her husband's best friend. She doesn't want to tell her husband because she feels that she may have inadvertently encouraged him and is feeling ashamed. Tearfully, she tells you that she is pregnant and doesn't know what to do. Her best girlfriend has told her to get an abortion. She is conflicted about this because of strong religious beliefs. She says she's very confused and asks you what you would do if you were in her position. How would you ethically respond to this situation? |
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Definition
Indicate that you cannot make life decisions for a client.
Therapists respect the right of patients to make decisions and inform them that their decisions are their own responsibility. |
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Term
| A professional couple, who moved here from India two years ago, begins therapy with you. You know little about their culture. In your work together you: |
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Definition
Ask them to educate you about important differences and to tell you how these relate to their presenting problem.
A policy where you model appropriate communication skills will allow your clients to feel more comfortable and facilitate discussion of diversity issues. |
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Term
| A therapist works for a managed care panel and receives most of her clients by referrals from the managed care company. A client comes for a first session and the therapist realizes that the client has treatment expectations that are out of her scope of competence. What should the therapist do? |
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Definition
Refer the client back to the insurance company.
Clients who are referred by insurance companies should be referred back to the payor to get another referral. This way, they can be more sure that their sessions will be financially covered. |
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Term
| A therapist is becoming increasingly concerned that one client who is acutely suicidal is not improving. The therapist has suggested that the client speak with people in his life who might be supportive and be able to help, but the client only wants to speak with the therapist. The therapist is concerned about boundaries if she speaks with the client as often as he needs, which is at least once day. The client has threatened to leave therapy entirely if the therapist keeps suggesting outside support. Ethically, the therapist should: |
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Definition
Tell the client directly the therapist's concerns if the client does not return to therapy.
Ethically, the therapist is obligated to have a direct informed consent conversation with a client, even clients who are acutely symptomatic. |
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Term
| Maxwell, age 46, is referred to you by his EAP because he is depressed and drinking daily on the job. He witnessed a train wreck 3 weeks ago in which several people were killed. Now he says he is terrified to leave the house without a couple of drinks to calm him down. He says that every time he hears a loud noise he feels faint and he wakes up sweating and shaking. He tells you that his manager wants you to help him with PTSD. He asks you, "Is that why I am here?" The therapist should: |
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Definition
Determine the client's expectations of therapy before treating PTSD.
Ethically, you need to clarify the client's expectations before doing anything else |
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Term
| A couple is in therapy on a sliding fee basis. They are having difficulty paying at this rate. When the therapist goes out to the waiting room, she discovers a cashmere sweater with a note pinned to it. The note says, "Don't tell my wife about this." What should the therapist do about this? |
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Definition
Return the sweater and encourage the man to bring it up in session.
Returning the sweater and encouraging him to bring the topic up in session allows for the agreed-upon payment arrangement to be maintained and avoids collusion with the husband. |
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Term
| A therapist wants to speak with a client's nurse practitioner and brings up the subject of signing a release in order to do so. The client begins asking a therapist what she will do with the release. The therapist should explain that: |
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Definition
The therapist will speak only with the person on the release.
This answer provides the client with information to the client so that she can consent or refuse to consent to this part of the treatment. |
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Term
| When discussing exceptions to confidentiality with a client, which of the following would NOT be considered such an exception? |
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Definition
Domestic violence.
Domestic violence does not usually fall under the exceptions to confidentiality unless a child abuse report needs to be filed as a result of the domestic violence, or if the abused party is under the protected class of individuals (dependent adults or elders). |
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Term
| Toward the end stages of therapy, a client asks his therapist if they can use text or email between sessions to communicate, as the final sessions get more spread apart. The therapist suggests that texts and emails won't really get the client accustomed to less contact, they will only be substitutes. The therapist tells the client that treatment can only be in the office. The therapist has: |
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Definition
Provided ethical informed consent about the termination process.
The therapist's explanation to the client about the clinical effectiveness of texts/emails is a form of informed consent that would occur during termination discussions. |
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Term
| In a first conjoint session, the husband tells you that he has lost interest in activities, including sex. His wife says that he is also moody and irritable. As you assess them further, you learn that he is seeing a psychiatrist to help him quit smoking. In the interests of informed consent, what should you tell the couple? |
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Definition
What you plan to disclose to the psychiatrist if you get any consultation from him/her.
In the interests of full informed consent, you could tell the clients what you plan to disclose to the third party, the psychiatrist in this vignette. |
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Term
| Mr. Chin makes an appointment with you to help him work through his problems with arguing with his co-workers. The FIRST thing you would do is: |
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Definition
Explain what to expect from therapy.
Explaining the therapeutic process at the outset of counseling (informed consent) is important in the early establishment of a therapeutic alliance. |
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Term
| A therapist is treating an adolescent client. The therapist asked the client to invite his parents for a family session so that they could talk about what is going on without having to break confidentiality. The client told the therapist, "I can't promise you that they will like what they hear." The therapist should: |
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Definition
Complete the informed consent process by telling him what the therapist may tell the parents about her session.
This is the best answer of the choices because it implies that you will continue a discussion with the client before breaking confidentiality, which has not yet occurred and it is not clear that it must in order to protect the child. |
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Term
| You are having an initial session with Estelle, a client who tells you that she has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. She says that she hasn't terminated yet with her therapist of four years, and is "really mad at her." Ethically, you must: |
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Definition
Tell Estelle that she can't be your client if she is still the other therapist's client.
It is unethical for two therapists to treat a patient at the same time without clearly defined and separate goals. Your ethical responsibility with Estelle is to clarify to her your position vis a vis the other therapist. |
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Term
| James, a 17-year-old African-American male client is referred to you by the juvenile court. He comes to his first session 20 minutes late and storms into your office angrily. He asks if you're "just trying to get me into trouble like everyone else." He then crosses his arms in front of his chest and glares at you. Ethically your obligation is to: |
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Definition
Ask the client why he is angry.
Ethical obligations require that therapists avoid making any assumptions based on a client's race, age, gender, etc. |
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Term
| Felix, a 30-year-old Caucasian, has been placed on administrative leave for excessive absences and is referred to you by his EAP. His partner Pablo, a 32-year-old Peruvian-American, joins him in the session. Lately they have been "fighting all the time," and at work nobody knows that they are a couple because Felix fears they'll be fired. Pablo shoots an angry glance at Felix and says, "You worry too much. I can't take you moping around all the time, and the reason I drink so much is because you stopped having sex with me." What is your ethical obligation pursuant to Pablo's drinking? |
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Definition
If you have a sobriety contract in place, terminate any session at which Pablo comes in intoxicated.
If a client is unable to benefit from therapy, it is ethical to end the session. |
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Term
| You negotiate a fee with your new client Chetwyn, who asks if his insurance company will pay for the sessions. You tell him that having worked with this company in the past, you're certain that they will pay for your work together. When you receive a check from the insurance company, only half the sessions are reimbursed because you have been meeting with Chetwyn twice a week. You would: |
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Definition
Forgo payment because you did not adequately explain the process of fee collection and insurance billing to Chetwyn.
You would forgo payment because you did not adequately explain the process of fee collection and insurance billing to your client. |
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Term
| When unable to reach a client by phone, a therapist texts the client's mother to tell her that her son is talking seriously about running away from home because of the step-father's abuse. She texts back to tell you that he is home safely, but "thanks for the heads-up." What are the therapist's ethical obligations regarding the confidentiality of minors? |
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Definition
Tell minor clients how you will contact parents if you think there is an emergency.
Discussing the limits of confidentiality with a minor client is an element of informed consent. |
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Term
| You have been treating a client who has just immigrated from China. The client does not want to discuss his emotions and wants you to give him advice regarding how to have a successful business in America. You would: |
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Definition
Consider the client's cultural values and his expectations of therapy.
The client comes from a culture where therapy may be foreign to him. It is important to establish with the client the objectives of therapy and to understand his emotional style that may have been derived from his cultural background. |
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Term
| A therapist is leaving for vacation and has referred all of her clients to you. On the day before your colleague is set to leave town, one of her clients calls you and says that she is in crisis and needs to be seen tomorrow. She adds, "my therapist told me that I could call you if I thought seriously about killing myself. Well, it feels pretty serious." Your ethical priority is to: |
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Definition
Ask her to get you quickly up to date on her general treatment so far.
Ethics require an action directed toward the client's immediate safety. You would need to know how "serious" her situation is before determining the next step. |
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Term
| Harry reports to you he had to file bankruptcy last month and can no longer afford to pay your fee. He also just learned that his hours have been reduced at work from 40 to 32 hours per week because business is slow. He asks if he is ready to terminate. You should: |
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Definition
Discuss this with him and arrange to see him on a sliding scale basis.
This answer includes Harry in the discussion about how therapy might be continued before deciding to take different action. |
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Term
| You are working as an intern at a non-profit agency. Your client of the past year has made substantial progress and the two of you enjoy a close relationship. You are now ready to leave the agency and will not be available to continue treatment with this client. Your ethical responsibility in this case would be to: |
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Definition
Make appropriate referrals.
Making appropriate referrals is the ethical course of action when a therapist is unable to provide services. |
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Term
| Maria, age 27, comes to treatment with her husband Juan. Maria had a miscarriage 3 months ago and she tells you that she just can't get over it and doesn't know if she can go on. Juan says that he has tried everything to cheer her up, but that he's getting sick of her moping around. What action would the therapist take to fulfill ethical obligations? |
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Definition
Evaluate whether Maria can benefit from therapy if they continue in conjoint therapy.
You are ethically obligated to assess if a client can benefit from treatment. A conjoint unit may not be in this client's best interests. |
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Term
| Your client, Liz, is a 17-year-old female who is leaving for college in Arizona at the end of the month. She was molested by her uncle as a young child and is working through these issues with you. She has developed a close working relationship with you and wants to continue to work only with you. You would: |
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Definition
Make three referrals for your client in her new location.
Ethically, you need to provide Liz with the containment she needs to work through her early childhood issues. This can best be accomplished by referring her to therapists in her new area rather than concretizing her transference to you, i.e., "you're the only person who can understand and help me." Additionally, it is illegal to perform telehealth (Phone, Skype etc) with a person who is not a resident of California. |
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Term
| When working with a female client who is being abused by her partner, what is your ethical responsibility? |
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Definition
To establish a plan of safety, including shelters and established support system.
The ethical responsibility is to establish a plan of safety, including shelters and established support systems. Legally, mental health professionals cannot usually break confidentiality due to domestic violence unless the recipient of the abuse falls within a protected class of individuals. |
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Term
| After seven sessions, your client tells you that she just started seeing another therapist. She explains that she knows that therapists cannot be friends with their clients so she figured she would take the first step and find another therapist. She tells you she would like this to be your last session, and she will text you in a couple of months. You: |
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Definition
Explain that terminating therapy to pursue another relationship is unethical.
The first thing to do is inform the client of the guiding ethical standard which will guide your behavior. |
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