Question 1

How do relationships in counselor education, supervision, and training differ from clinical relationships?

Accepted Answer

Relationships in counselor education, supervision, and training are different from clinical relationships in that they are tripartite, involving the counselor-in-training, the supervisor, and the client. This adds an extra layer of complexity to the relationship dynamic. The other answer choices do not accurately describe the differences between these types of relationships.

Question 2

The gatekeeping responsibilities of counselor educators may involve all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Counselor educators are not typically responsible for providing a formal hearing if a student is dismissed for academic reasons. This responsibility would typically fall to the institution's academic affairs or student affairs office.

Question 3

One of the most ethically sensitive components of counselor training that has generated considerable debate is:

Accepted Answer

Self-growth experiences can be ethically sensitive in counselor training because they may require trainees to confront personal issues and vulnerabilities, and there could be concerns about exploitation and boundary crossings if these experiences are facilitated inappropriately. This has led to debates about the appropriateness and effectiveness of self-disclosure and self-exploration activities in counselor training.

Question 4

Studies of women who have been involved in sexual relationships with their professors indicate:

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that many women who have been involved in sexual relationships with their professors believed the relationships to be consensual at first, but in retrospect, many viewed the relationships as more coercive. These relationships often led to negative psychological consequences for the women involved.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT information that must be provided to prospective students before they enter a program?

Accepted Answer

While faculty advisor assignment may be helpful information for students to have, it is not a requirement for providing information to prospective students before they enter a program. The other options listed are essential pieces of information that must be provided to ensure students are fully informed before beginning a program.

Question 6

In matters of student evaluations or dismissals from academic programs, courts:

Accepted Answer

Courts generally defer to the judgment of professors in academic matters, including student evaluations and dismissals. However, if established procedures were violated or the evaluations were clearly unfair, the courts may overturn the decision. In other words, the courts review the process and outcome to ensure a fair and reasonable decision was made.

Question 7

Flexibility in relationship boundaries between counselor educators and students may be more acceptable than between counselors and clients, because in counselor educator/student relationships the student:

Accepted Answer

In counselor educator/student relationships, the dynamic is different from that of counselor/client relationships. The student is in a process of professional development and is being prepared to enter the same profession as the educator, which means they are on a path to becoming colleagues. This professional trajectory allows for a different type of relationship boundary that can be more flexible, recognizing the evolving professional status of the student.

Question 8

Students who have not been able to demonstrate the skills needed to be effective counselors

Accepted Answer

Before making the decision to dismiss a student who is struggling to develop the necessary counseling skills, it is important to provide them with remediation opportunities. This could include additional coursework, mentoring, or supervised practice. Dismissal should only be considered as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.

Question 9

When making graduate program admissions decisions, counselor educators:

Accepted Answer

Counselor educators may use their subjective judgment regarding a number of factors when making admissions decisions, allowing them to consider a holistic view of each applicant.

Question 10

Sexual relationships between counselor educators and their students:

Accepted Answer

Sexual relationships between counselor educators and their students are expressly forbidden in the ACA Code of Ethics. This is because such relationships can exploit the power imbalance between the two parties and harm the student's educational and professional development. It is also important to note that while some universities may have their own policies regarding such relationships, the ACA Code of Ethics takes precedence in matters related to professional counseling.

Question 11

While you are a counseling graduate student:

Accepted Answer

As a counseling graduate student, you must follow the same code of ethics as practicing counselors. This ensures that you are held to a high standard of ethical behavior and prepares you for ethical decision-making in your future counseling practice.

Question 12

As a result of recent developments in technology, counselor education faculty are advised to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a result of recent developments in...

Question 13

Counselor educators have an ethical obligation to:

Accepted Answer

Counselor educators have an ethical obligation to infuse multicultural material into all courses in the curriculum to promote cultural competence and address the needs of diverse clients. This is outlined in the ethical standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Teaching ethics as a separate course is also important, but it is not the only ethical obligation of counselor educators. Restricting teaching to traditional models and grading self-disclosure would not promote ethical practice or diversity. Letter grades in field experience courses may be appropriate, but it is not the best choice in this question because it does not specifically address ethical obligations.

Question 14

When counselor educators evaluate the performance of a student's counseling skills, the counselor educators:

Accepted Answer

Counselor educators may apply subjective standards in evaluating a student's counseling skills, provided they exercise their discretion appropriately and do not abuse it. This allows for the nuanced assessment of skills that are often qualitative and context-dependent.

Question 15

The professional literature suggests that students often believe they receive inadequate preparation in the content area of:

Accepted Answer

Social justice and advocacy have become increasingly important topics in the counseling profession, and many students feel they are not adequately prepared in this area. It is important for counselors to have an understanding of social justice issues and to be able to advocate for their clients and communities.

Quiz 14: Professional Issues in Counselor Education