Legal vs. Ethical Distinctions
This legal obligation requires therapists to take protective action when a client poses a credible threat of harm to an identifiable person.
What is the duty to warn/protect?
This ethical principle requires therapists to avoid causing harm, even unintentionally.
What is non‑maleficence?
This type of requirement is enforceable by law and can result in fines, sanctions, or loss of license.
What are legal obligations?
This legal document outlines client rights, fees, and policies and must be signed before treatment begins.
What is the informed consent form?
This ethical violation occurs when a therapist enters a secondary relationship with a client that could impair judgment.
What is a dual relationship?
This legal requirement mandates reporting suspected abuse of children, elders, or dependent adults.
What is mandated reporting?
This ethical value emphasizes respecting clients’ right to make their own decisions.
What is autonomy?
This type of guideline is aspirational and reflects best practices rather than statutory mandates.
What are ethical standards?
This ethical guideline requires therapists to document sessions accurately and without bias.
What is ethical record‑keeping?
This legal and ethical requirement prohibits sexual relationships with current clients.
What is the ban on sexual misconduct?
This legal standard determines whether a therapist acted as a reasonably competent clinician would under similar circumstances.
What is the standard of care?
This ethical responsibility requires therapists to maintain competence and seek supervision when needed.
What is professional competence?
This distinction explains why a therapist may be legally required to break confidentiality even when ethically they prefer to maintain it.
What is the legal override of ethical preference?
This legal right allows clients to request access to their treatment records.
What is the right to inspect and copy records?
This ethical guideline requires therapists to avoid accepting gifts that could influence treatment.
What is maintaining appropriate boundaries?
This legal concept protects client information and can only be broken under specific statutory exceptions.
What is confidentiality?
This ethical guideline requires therapists to avoid exploiting clients financially, emotionally, or relationally.
What is avoiding exploitation?
This term describes when a therapist follows ethical guidelines but still violates a statute.
What is a legal violation despite ethical intent?
This ethical principle guides therapists to document only clinically relevant information.
What is minimal necessary documentation?
This legal concept protects clients from therapists who misuse their authority or influence.
What is protection from exploitation?
This legal requirement obligates therapists to provide clients with clear information about risks, benefits, and alternatives before treatment begins.
What is informed consent?
This ethical expectation requires therapists to clarify roles and manage boundaries when working with multiple family members.
What is ethical role clarity?
This concept explains why therapists must follow the stricter rule when legal and ethical standards conflict.
What is the hierarchy of obligations?
This legal requirement dictates how long records must be stored after termination.
What are record retention laws?
This ethical duty requires therapists to terminate treatment when it is no longer beneficial or when the therapist is impaired.
What is ethical termination?