California Law
Um, actually, it's an ethical and legal obligation.
Sexual relationships with clients are ethically sound if the client consents to it.
Um actually, no.
MFTs and PCCs are mandated by California law to report abuse of children, dependent adults, and elders when they have sufficient evidence to open an investigation.
Um, actually, you only need to suspect abuse or neglect.
Therapist Terry is very attracted to their client and finds themselves fantasizing about running away with them. Terry finds themselves daydreaming about this during other clients' sessions, and sometimes has to ask clients to repeat what they just said. Since Terry is not acting on their attraction, they are not in violation of any ethical codes.
Um, actually, Terry is providing inadequate care to clients due to the intensity of their distraction. If they are this distracted without the person in the room, what are they missing when the person IS in the room? Terry's behavior is unethical and warrants immediate supervision/consultation.
MFTs and PCCs are legally obligated to inform their clients that there are no inherent risks to therapy.
Um, actually, they ARE legally obligated to tell them about the risks that ARE inherent in therapy.
For 50 points, what are the risks?
According to ethical codes, clinicians can engage in relationships with their clients after therapy has been terminated for 2-5 months.
Um actually, the codes vary, stating 2-5 years.
MFTs are relieved of mandated reporting duty when they think that engaging social services/law enforcement may elicit a negative response from the client/family.
Um, actually, you still have to report and manage the consequences if they arise.
Client Ciera storms into your office and demands to see her file immediately. Because of her escalated state, you do not have to show her the file.
Um, actually, it depends.
Is Ciera usually like this? While clients have a right to access their file, the clinician can refuse it they believe it would harm the client. The clinician needs to assess if Ciera's activated state + viewing her file could result in harm to her.
An MFT's scope of practice refers to services performed with individuals wherein interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments.
Um, actually, MFT scope of practice includes individuals, couples, or groups.
Research clearly shows that suicide contracts are highly effective in keeping clients safe.
Um, actually, research shows that they are NOT effective, yet they remain a standard of care.
Bonus: what is best practice in preventing harm? Hint: it's another type of document/plan that seems to be more effective.
MFTs are not allowed to report intimate partner violence.
Um, actually, MFTs are not mandated to report IPV, though they are not explicitly forbidden from reporting.
MFTs cannot accept gifts from clients.
Bonus: what should the clinician consider?
Um, actually, clinicians can, but should consider the value of the gift, the relationship with the client, the cultural context of the client, and conditions under which the gift is given (ie: termination/holiday versus spontaneous gift giving).
MFTs and PCCs are holders of privilege.
Um, actually, the client holds the privilege. The therapist can claim privilege on behalf of the client when asked to disclose information in legal proceedings.
For 50+ points, who holds privilege for a client when they cannot do it themselves?
Supervisors can hold many different roles within a supervision session, and also be your therapist without violating ethical codes.
Um, actually, while supervisors can hold many different roles, Your Personal Therapist is not one of them. Supervisors can also be advocates and teachers within the supervision relationship.
MFTs must hospitalize clients that express suicidal ideation.
Um, actually, it depends. Many clients express ideation without a plan or intent to act. This would not warrant hospitalization.
Bonus: what would/should the clinician do in this situation?
Janette is HIV+ and is breast feeding her infant. As her clinician, you are required to call CPS.
Um, actually, California law states mandate to report if the HIV+ individual is acting with intent to infect. However, Janette is putting her infant at risk as HIV is transmitted through breast milk. The clinician could provide psychoeducation to Janette around this, and if she expresses no interest in protecting her infant, consider calling CPS. Of course, the clinician would document this thoroughly,
Being curious about a client's cultural background is good practice, and best practice is asking them about their culture directly since the clinician cannot bill for research time spent outside of the session.
Um, actually, the clinician should do both ask the client and do some research outside of the session despite lack of billing ability to do so.
MFTs are mandated to report HIV+ clients.
Um, actually, MFTS are not mandated to report HIV+ status unless the client is behaving with intent to infect.
Your client wants to observe Dia de Los Muertos in session with you. To do so would be unethical because you are uncomfortable with death and you would not be practicing very good therapy while feeling this way. Last week, you prayed with a client who was struggling with feelings of loss after a loved one died. This was not an ethical issue because the client initiated the prayer.
Um, actually, this is not a good reason. The clinician's discomfort should not impede a client's process. The clinician's willingness to honor some practices and not others is discriminatory and can be seen as unethical.