Confidentiality
What is the primary reason confidentiality is essential in counseling?
What is to build trust and allow clients to share openly.
What should counseling records always be?
What is Accurate, objective, and secure.
When should fee policies be communicated to clients?
What is At the very beginning, in writing.
True or False: Bartering is always unethical.
What is False. It can be acceptable if culturally appropriate, not exploitative, and documented.
A client wants to record sessions. What’s the counselor’s ethical responsibility?
What is Discuss risks/benefits, document consent, and set clear rules.
True or False: Group counseling guarantees the same confidentiality protections as individual therapy.
What is false. Group members are not legally bound to confidentiality.
True or False: Clients never have the right to see their records.
What is False. Clients usually have legal/ethical rights to access their records.
What is one ethical concern with sliding scale fees?
What is fairness and potential exploitation if not applied consistently.
What is the biggest risk of bartering in therapy?
What is Dual relationships and blurred professional boundaries.
A group member shares personal info outside the group. Who is responsible?
What is The member, but the counselor is responsible for setting expectations up front.
Name one situation where a counselor may ethically break confidentiality.
What is threat of harm to self/others, child/elder abuse, court order.
What’s one way counselors can protect confidentiality when using email or telehealth?
What is use encryption, secure platforms, and informed consent about digital risks.
What is the counselor’s ethical responsibility if a client stops paying for sessions?
What is Address payment issues directly and explore solutions without abruptly abandoning the client.
According to ethics codes, advertising should always be:
What is Truthful, accurate, and not misleading.
You discover your notes must be sent to insurance. What do you do?
What is Provide only necessary information and inform the client.
Why is confidentiality especially complex in family or couples counseling?
What is because multiple clients are involved and may have conflicting privacy expectations.
Why is it important to avoid subjective or judgmental comments in client notes?
What is Notes may be subpoenaed or reviewed by others; professionalism protects both client and counselor.
True or False: It is ethical to surprise clients with hidden fees later in therapy.
What is False. Transparency is required.
Why can advertising a sliding scale be risky?
What is It may pressure clients, create misunderstandings, or imply unequal treatment.
A client offers to mow your lawn instead of paying for sessions. What should you consider?
What is Risks of dual relationships, cultural appropriateness, and fairness before agreeing.
In your own words, what is the counselor’s ethical duty when confidentiality cannot be guaranteed (e.g., group work)?
What is to educate clients about risks, set rules, and model respect for privacy.
What should counselors do when disposing of old client records?
What is Follow state retention laws and use secure disposal methods (e.g., shredding, digital wiping).
What ethical principle should guide all decisions about fees?
What is Avoid exploitation and ensure fairness while maintaining professional boundaries.
Give one example of misleading advertising in counseling.
What is Guaranteeing outcomes (e.g., “I will cure your depression in 5 sessions”).
Your client has not paid in 3 months but still requests therapy. What are your ethical options?
What is Discuss openly, adjust payment if fair, create a payment plan, or ethically terminate therapy with referrals.