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Ethics: Ethics, Confidentiality, and Boundaries

Credit Value: 4

Exam Questions: 34

Passing Grade: 26 correct

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Course Description:
This course is a summary of Ethics, Confidentiality, Boundaries. The course meets the 4 hour mandatory license renewal requirements for many licensed professions.

North Carolina Social Workers – This course meets the 4 hour ethics course requirement for license renewal.

The course is based on three articles, all of which can be found on this website. The first article. published on the APA - American Psychological Association website, is about ethics for psychologists and other healthcare professionals. It is a short summary of the frequent ethical problems that are encountered by practicing psychologists and therapists, as well as other healthcare professionals, with guidelines for avoiding problems. It is full of practical tips on how to avoid common ethical dilemmas.

The second article is a comprehensive report on Mental Health published by the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States. This course provides therapists and healthcare professionals with a review of current information on ethical issues about confidentiality; values underlying confidentiality, research on confidentiality and mental health treatment and the current state of confidentiality law. This course is designed for healthcare professionals who work in both private and public, and urban and rural areas. It is targeted for beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners.

This third article is based on a publication of Psychiatric Services: A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association. The article discusses the problematic issue of boundary violations and sexual misconduct between therapists and their clients. The discussion includes risk factors and preventive measures. The course is targeted for beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners.

Learning Objectives: This course will provide a professional with a review of common ethical problems faced by mental health professionals as well as ways to avoid them. Specifically, a professional will able to:

  • Identify the most common ethical problems currently facing practicing therapists and healthcare professionals
  • Explain the laws regarding confidentiality and the values that underlie confidentiality
  • Select appropriate approaches to dealing with boundary problems.
  • About the Authors: (First Article)
    Smith, D. (2003). 10 Ways Practitioners Can Avoid Frequent Ethical Pitfalls. Boost Your Ethical Know-How with These Practical Tips on Avoiding Common Ethical Quandaries. Volume 34, No 1, APA On-Line Get First Article

    About the Authors:(Second Article)
    The Surgeon General's Office of the United States Get Second Article

    About the Authors: (Third Article)
    Norris, D.M., Gutheil, T.G. & Strasburger, L.H. (2003). This couldn’t happen to me: Boundary problems and sexual misconduct n the psychotherapy relationship. PsychiatryOnlineServices, Vol. 54, N 4 pp 517-522. Get Third Article

    Credits: 4 Take Exam Exam Fee: $50.00 Get Course Materials Format: Online

    Ce-Classes is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Provider #852 BAP-Exp 3/2009

    Ce-classes.com is approved as a provider for continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards 400 South Ridge Parkway, Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701. www.aswb.org. ASWB Approval Period: 1/5/08 – 1/5/11 Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers will receive 4 credits for continuing education clock hours in participating in this course. (* Please see course descriptions for ceu information, one ceu = one continuing education clock hour)

    Ce-Classes.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Ce-Classes.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content. As such we are approved providers of continuing education for psychologists in most states in the U.S. Please see our get state requirements button on our home page or visit your state's licensing board for more information.

    Ce-Classes.com is an approved provider by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); Provider # 6320 Exp. 4/30/2012. As such we are approved providers of continuing education for Mental Health Counselors, Therapists, Professionals, etc, in most states in the U.S. Please see our get state requirements button on our home page or visit your state's licensing board for more information.

    All courses are available for Homestudy. For information about Homestudy courses and about our Administrative policies visit our About Us page.

    If you would like to take this course for your CE program, it is recommended that you:
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      Exam Questions for Ethics: Ethics, Confidentiality, and Boundaries
    1.  According to Robert Kinscherch, the key question to ask yourself regarding ethics is . . .
    how can I document this accurately?
    how can I be even better in my practice?
    how can I get in trouble if I do this?
    how can I avoid ethical problems?

    2.  The central question in a multiple relationship question is . . .
    whose needs are being met here?
    who benefits the most from this relationship?
    can the client be harmed if I do this?
    is this the current standard of care?

    3.  Each of the following is a key factor in determining if a multiple relationship is appropriate EXCEPT:
    power
    duration
    termination
    influence

    4.  In order to protect confidentiality, this article suggests that the practitioners should . . .
    avoid speaking about client issues in the waiting room
    ensure that data files are encrypted with secure passwords
    obey mandatory reporting laws
    post informed consent forms in the waiting room

    5.  This article makes the point that a signed consent form does not . . .
    substitute for the informing process
    protect the professional from liability
    ensure that consent is freely given
    last for more than one year

    6.  In regards to supervision of other psychologists, this article indicates that supervisors should ensure all of the following is included in their documentation EXCEPT:
    supervision dates
    discussions they have had
    other relevant facts
    financial remuneration when it occurs

    7.  If you are a therapist for a client and they have a court case which may involve custody issues it is advised that you . . .
    shouldn’t serve as an expert witness
    should evaluate the situation objectively before making a decision
    should never agree to testify for your client
    shouldn’t comply with subpoenas for client records without a court order

    8.  Ed Nottingham states that a psychologist’s best ally against ethical charges can be . . .
    transparency
    informed consent
    documentation
    being mindful of professional boundaries

    9.  Appropriate documentation should include all of the following EXCEPT:
    follow-up efforts
    out of office contacts
    treatments considered and rejected
    exact quotes from the client

    10.  Areas of practice where psychologists should be very careful that they have the expertise to practice were outlined in this article. It specifically mentions . . .
    sexual problems
    dual diagnosis clients
    victims of domestic violence
    child- custody

    11.  In order to avoid the misperception that a psychologist has “dumped” a client for non-payment of services it is suggested that the psychologist should __________ during the first session.
    discuss the treatment timeline
    discuss the obligation to pay for services
    inform the client of the limits of their insurance
    inform the client of their payment for services policy

    12.  According to this article, ethics experts agree that there is nothing more important than . . .
    honesty with clients
    accuracy in billing
    informed consent
    appropriate waivers for disclosure

    13.   The endorsement of the importance of confidentiality comes from the case US Supreme Court case . . .
    Stillers v. Richman
    Jaffee v. Redmond
    Jules v. Sillman
    Dovan v. Trent

    14.  Health care is increasingly paid for by for-profit corporations with business in many states. This shift creates many consequences, this article discusses all of the following consequences EXCEPT:
    fiscally based need for disclosure
    individual health care information may be disseminated beyond the providing practitioner
    third party review of practitioner’s judgment
    distribution of private health information for the purpose of marketing

    15.  While the importance of confidentiality as an ethical principle is evident, it is also clear that confidentiality is . . .
    protected without limits
    an absolute value
    not an absolute value
    viewed equally in all disciplines of mental health

    16.  Each of the following was discussed at length as values underlying confidentiality EXCEPT:
    reducing stigma
    fostering trust
    protecting privacy
    advocating mental health

    17.  The two important anchors to the principle of autonomy that are discussed in the article are. . .
    confidentiality and trust
    informed consent and confidentiality
    trust and informed consent
    individuality and self determination

    18.  The most common exception to confidentiality is
    consent by the person in treatment
    disclosure to the client
    disclosure to other providers
    disclosure to payers

    19.  __________ state laws provide that individuals have a right of access to health care records containing information about them.
    all
    most
    many, although not all
    some

    20.  All states have provisions that allow entities with __________ to have access to medical records without client consent.
    oversight responsibilities
    third party payers
    subpoenas
    legitimate need to know

    21.  All states __________ disclosure in situations where a third party might be at risk from harm.
    mandate
    permit or mandate
    dictate
    permit

    22.  The confidentiality of information obtained during substance abuse treatment services is governed by . . .
    federal law regardless of the payer
    state law if the program receives state or federal assistance
    federal law if the program receives any federal assistance
    state law which varies from state to state

    23.  Confidentiality is a matter of __________ concern
    ethical
    legal
    ethical and moral
    ethical and legal

    24.  According to the conclusions section of this article, confidentiality of mental health information is a critical point of concern for . . .
    providers and consumers
    payers, providers and consumers
    the general public welfare
    consumers and providers of mental health services

    25.  Boundary problems and sexual misconduct rank __________ as causes of malpractice actions against mental health practitioners.
    highest
    second only to suicide
    second only to dual relationships
    third

    26.  The authors of this article cite __________ as playing a significant role in the persistence of the problem of boundary problems.
    denial
    dual relationships
    marital discord
    clinical burnout

    27.  According to the article, boundary crossings can be defined as . . . .
    initial first steps in boundary violations
    potentially harmful deviations from traditional clinical behavior
    harmless deviations from traditional clinical practice, behavior or demeanor
    culturally based divergences from traditional practice

    28.  This article indicates that one of the reasons that maintenance of boundaries is always the responsibility of the clinician, is because . . . .
    patients do not understand the complexities of the therapeutic process
    patients are easy to manipulate
    patients are vulnerable
    patients are not governed by a professional code of ethics

    29.  According to the article, boundary problems arise
    only for a few “bad apple” therapists
    almost always early on in one’s career
    for all clinicians irrespective of the number of years of experience
    for all clinicians experiencing a life crisis

    30.  Transitions are discussed as a risk factor for clinicians. Financial reversals, working with managed care, stock market declines and other factors may lead to increase a clinicians’ susceptibility to . . .
    financial exploitation
    sexual exploitation
    all types of boundary issues
    depression

    31.  Erotic feelings towards a patient are __________ and may be highly threatening and anxiety producing for a clinician.
    universal
    common
    rare
    atypical

    32.  Seasoned practitioners may believe that, given their level of experience, they may be inclined to
    view boundary violations differently
    seek consultation right away when they need it
    believe that the usual rules do not apply to them
    brush aside the need to seek consultation

    33.  Factors associated with increased vulnerability of patients include . . .
    enmeshment
    autonomy
    depression
    divorce

    34.  All of the following were described as approaches to dealing effectively with boundary problems EXCEPT . . .
    education
    supervision
    consultation
    regulation

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