Individuals
This ethical principle supports a competent client's right to make their own choices, even when the social worker disagrees.
What is self-determination (NASW 1.02)?
Before beginning family therapy, this question must be clarified because more than one person is sitting in the room.
What is: Who is the client?
The social worker can establish expectations about this, but cannot guarantee that every group member will honor it.
What is confidentiality?
This ethical concept means clients receive enough understandable information to make a meaningful decision about services.
What is informed consent?
NASW 1.01.
What is Commitment to Clients?
Before beginning services, a social worker should explain the purpose of services, risks, alternatives, costs, and the client's right to refuse or withdraw.
What is informed consent (NASW 1.03)?
A family member asks to speak with you privately and says, "I need to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone else." Before accepting the information, you should remind them of this.
The family's informed-consent agreement/policy regarding confidentiality and secrets.
A group member tells another member, "You need Jesus. Come to my church and you'll get yourself together." What ethical concern should the facilitator recognize?
Potential imposition of values/beliefs and respect for other group members.
True or false: Once a client signs an informed-consent form, informed consent is finishe
What is: False. Informed consent is an ongoing process
NASW 1.02.
What is Self-Determination?
A client makes a life decision you believe is a mistake. The client understands the consequences, and there is no serious foreseeable and imminent risk. Your personal disagreement alone does not justify doing this.
What is overriding the client's self-determination?
One family member wants treatment to continue. Another wants to stop. The social worker cannot simply assume that the person who called for therapy gets to decide. What must the worker consider?
The interests, rights, consent, and treatment needs of the clients in the family system.
Ten group members want to participate in an activity. One member cannot participate because of a disability. Does majority rule automatically resolve the ethical issue?
No. The social worker must still consider the individual member's needs and the group's competing interests.
An employer requires an employee to attend treatment. Before treatment begins, the social worker should clearly explain what information may be provided to this outside party.
What is: The nature and limits of confidentiality and authorized/required disclosure to the third-party payer or referral source.
NASW 1.03.
What is Informed Consent?
A client reminds you strongly of someone from your own life, and you notice it affecting your reactions in session. What should you do?
Recognize the potential bias/countertransference and use supervision or consultation to protect the client.
During family therapy, a client privately reveals information important to the family's treatment but says, "Don't tell them." What ethical issues are now in conflict?
Confidentiality, informed consent, competing responsibilities to clients, and the integrity of family treatment.
A court-ordered member says, "The judge said I have to be here. Nobody said I have to tell strangers my business." What ethical principles remain relevant?
What is: Self-determination and informed consent within involuntary services.
A client says, "You can tell my mother I'm attending therapy, but don't tell her anything we talk about." What should the social worker clarify before releasing anything?
What is: The client's authorization and exactly what information the client has consented to disclose.
NASW 1.07.
What is Privacy and Confidentiality?
A client tells you something that conflicts strongly with your personal or religious beliefs. Name TWO things the social worker should NOT do.
Impose personal values on the client; allow personal beliefs to interfere with professional judgment or services.
A family member reveals information indicating another family member may be in danger. The client demands secrecy. What must the social worker determine before deciding whether confidentiality can be broken?
Whether a recognized exception or legal/ethical duty applies, including the nature and seriousness of the safety risk.
A member recognizes another member from work and announces it during group. Give THREE ethical concerns the facilitator should immediately consider.
What is: Privacy/confidentiality; informed consent/group agreements; and the effect on safety, trust, and participation in the group.
Twenty years ago, a client committed a serious crime that was never solved. The client reports no current plan or intent to harm anyone. Before disclosing anything, what must the social worker examine?
What is: Applicable confidentiality rules, relevant law, any current safety risk, and whether a recognized exception to confidentiality applies.
The Code tells social workers to avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with professional discretion and impartial judgment. Name the standard.
What is NASW 1.06 — Conflicts of Interest?