Deck 11: Ethics in Community, Consulting and Forensic Settings: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Question 1

Identify at least three questions that mental health professionals should ask themselves when they are developing advertisements to market their practices or agencies. Give an example of an appropriate advertisement and an inappropriate advertisement using these guidelines.

Answer 1

No Answer

Question 2

What does the term "undue influence"
means and how might it come into play in professionals' interactions with the media?

Answer 2

No Answer

Question 3

Define the term "unconscious fiscal convenience"
and give at least three examples of how it might be operating among professionals in private practice.

Answer 3

No Answer

Question 4

If a client fails to pay for professional services and builds up a significant debt what ethical steps can a counselor or therapist take to collect the fees legitimately due? What steps should the counselor have taken when counseling began in anticipation of problems with fees?

Question 5

Assuming that you have an adult client with symptoms of major depression who is being treated in a community agency, identify the six major categories of information that ought to be included in that client's record according to Piazza and Baruth. If that client becomes suicidal, what additional information should be included in the record?

Question 6

What criteria do most states use to decide whether to hospitalize someone with mental health problems involuntarily? How should confidential client information be handled in the event of an involuntary hospitalization?

Question 7

Define the term "fee splitting"
and discuss the view of the ethics codes on this topic.Explain whether participation in provider networks of managed care organizations falls within the purview of fee splitting.

Question 8

Identify at least four major ethical issues that interactions with managed care organizations raise for mental health professionals and discuss strategies professionals can use to cope responsibly with these issues.

Question 9

When professionals become consultants, one set of ethical issues they face revolve around dual relationship issues and definitions of appropriate boundaries. Discuss the ethical issues embedded in consultative relationships and the guidelines suggested by ethics scholars to deal with these dilemmas in an ethical way.

Question 10

Why can it be problematic for an ongoing therapist of an individual parent to become involved in a child custody dispute during a divorce proceeding? What strategies should a counselor or therapist use to avoid such problems?

Question 11

Which of the following is currently prohibited by the ethics code:

A) Using a testimonial from a former client who volunteers to give one
B) Soliciting a testimonial from a former client
C) Soliciting of business from other professionals in the community
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 12

According to the text, which of the following is a common violation when professionals interact with the media?

A) Making disparaging comments about other professions
B) Failing to present one's credential accurately
C) Distributing business cards to all those in the media who might refer clients to them
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 13

A professional who had obtained a doctorate in anthropology prior to completing a Master's degree in social work and earning a license as a clinical social worker may use the following title in advertising her professional services:

A) Dr. Saunders
B) Ms. Saunders
C) Carly Saunders, Ph.D., MSW, LISW
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 14

A professional who uses a collection service to obtain unpaid fees from clients should:

A) Reconsider and refrain from use of a collection service because the codes prohibit it
B) Give the collection service only a client first name and phone number to protect client anonymity
C) Call the client prior to use of the service and ask for payment again
D) Refrain from having sessions with the client after the collection service has been called
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 15

Guidelines for record keeping for counseling and therapy clients recommend that:

A) Copies of records be kept for 6 months after therapy has ended
B) Records be written as though clients were reading them
C) Professionals keep electronic records of treatment rather than paper records
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 16

The legal criteria for involuntary hospitalization typically include:

A) The use of the least restrictive environment possible
B) The involvement of police in the commitment process
C) An initial commitment period of 30 days
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 17

In community practice "pirating" refers to:

A) Using other professionals' advertisements and client literature
B) Trying to hire competent professionals away from other agencies to work in your own agency
C) Accepting fee-paying clients who are already in treatment with other mental health professionals
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 18

The prohibition against fee splitting

A) Is unique to mental health professions because of the special vulnerability to exploitation of people in distress
B) Is based in the belief that it risks the exploitation of clients
C) Includes participation in preferred provider plans
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 19

Mental health professionals who are frustrated with the restrictions placed on reimbursement by managed care:

A) Are free to modify diagnoses to meet diagnostic criteria in order to obtain services for clients who cannot afford to pay for them
B) Must make treatment decisions on the basis of eligibility for reimbursement
C) Must appeal denials of care to the managed care company
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 20

A consultant may be acting unethically if he or she:

A) Fails to involve all parties in the development of a consultation agreement
B) Informs employees that their disclosures to a consultant may not be held as confidential
C) Allow others to misinterpret and misuse the findings from the consultation
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 21

Forensic work carries with it risks of unethical practice because:

A) Professionals who get involved with the courts are highly motivated by financial considerations
B) The norms of the court and the counseling profession are different
C) The risks of sexual misconduct charges are greater
D) All of the above
E) None of the above