Question 1

Most marriage and family therapists in the United States practice

Accepted Answer

According to national surveys and statistics, most marriage and family therapists in the United States practice full time.

Question 2

Multicultural competence is necessary to insure therapists do not impose their values on families. One way to avoid serious ethical errors in working with minority culture families is the _____ perspective, which identifies what is culturally significant from the family's perspective rather than from a prescribed cultural perspective that may not be relevant to a family.

Accepted Answer

The culturally relevant perspective is necessary to identify what is culturally significant from the family's perspective rather than imposing the therapist's values or a prescribed cultural perspective on the family. This approach allows for a more respectful and sensitive treatment of minority culture families. Gender and interactional perspectives may also be important in therapy, but they are not specifically focused on avoiding ethical errors related to cultural competence. Neutrality, on the other hand, may be counterproductive in multicultural therapy, as it may mean overlooking important cultural differences and failing to acknowledge the impact of systemic inequalities on the family's experiences.

Question 3

Sexual relations between a therapist and a family member are never allowed.

Accepted Answer

Sexual relations between a therapist and a family member are considered unethical and can be considered a breach of professional boundaries. It can also cause harm to the family member and damage the therapeutic relationship. Therefore, it is never allowed.

Question 4

Marriage and family therapists may be called to provide testimony in court. One role in which family therapists are asked to testify about probable causes and recommendations in regard to family members is called:

Accepted Answer

Expert witnesses are called to provide testimony in court about their professional opinions on a particular subject matter. In the case of marriage and family therapists, they may be asked to testify about probable causes and recommendations in regard to family members in child custody cases.

Question 5

In the legal system, attorneys affirm family members and work towards equitable resolution of family issues.

Accepted Answer

Attorneys represent their clients in legal matters and advocate on their behalf; they do not affirm family members but rather provide legal advice and representation.

Question 6

What are the two accrediting bodies for marriage and family training programs?

Accepted Answer

COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) and CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) are the two accrediting bodies for marriage and family training programs.

Question 7

Most marriage and family therapy clients are

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the majority of marriage and family therapy clients are women. Studies suggest that the reason for this gender disparity is multifaceted but may be related to the fact that women are more likely to seek therapy and couples therapy tends to focus on issues that are more commonly experienced by women, such as communication difficulties and dissatisfaction with the emotional connection in the relationship.

Question 8

Modern practitioners understand that all therapeutic decisions are related to values and therefore therapeutic practice must be ethically neutral.

Accepted Answer

Modern practitioners recognize that therapeutic decisions are influenced by values and ethical considerations, and therefore strive to maintain an ethical stance in their practice. While therapists may strive to remain objective and impartial, it is impossible to be completely ethically neutral. Therapists must navigate ethical dilemmas and make decisions based on their own values and the ethical principles of their profession.

Question 9

Most marriage and family therapists have a

Accepted Answer

Most marriage and family therapists have a masters degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field, such as counseling or psychology.

Question 10

There are five primary models and resources for making ethical decisions. They include all the following except:

Accepted Answer

The five primary models and resources for making ethical decisions are educational resources, professional consultation, codes of ethics, decision-making models, and legal resources. Action-oriented research is not included as one of the primary models or resources.

Question 11

Internet counseling can be a useful therapeutic medium for many client types, especially for hearing impaired clients and clients in remote areas.

Accepted Answer

Internet counseling, also known as online therapy, can be a beneficial option for clients who may face challenges attending in-person therapy, such as those who live far away or have hearing impairments. Online therapy allows clients to receive counseling services from the comfort of their own homes or wherever they have access to a stable internet connection. However, it may not be appropriate for all clients and situations, and it is important for clinicians to assess the appropriateness and ethical considerations before using this modality.

Question 12

The responsibility for maintaining confidentiality lies with

Accepted Answer

The primary responsibility for maintaining confidentiality in a therapeutic relationship lies with the therapist, as they are bound by professional ethics and legal requirements to protect their clients' privacy and confidentiality.

Question 13

The most widely used treatment approach by marriage and family therapists is:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral approaches are the most widely used treatment approach by marriage and family therapists. This approach emphasizes the role of thoughts and behaviors in shaping emotions and relationships, and seeks to modify dysfunctional patterns of thinking and behavior through structured interventions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to be effective in addressing a wide range of mental health issues, including relationship problems.

Question 14

When unethical behavior is observed, the behavior should first be

Accepted Answer

Discussing the observed unethical behavior with the person involved is often considered the first step in addressing the issue. This approach allows for clarification, understanding, and potentially rectifying the situation directly and privately before escalating it to higher authorities or organizations.

Question 15

Failure to fulfill the requisite standard of care when providing therapy services can result in

Accepted Answer

A failure to fulfill the requisite standard of care in therapy services can result in a malpractice suit, which is a legal action taken against a healthcare provider for negligence or misconduct in their professional work. This can have serious consequences for the therapist, including losing their license to practice, paying damages to the injured party, and even facing criminal charges in extreme cases. It is therefore important for therapists to adhere to ethical and professional standards when delivering therapy to clients.

Question 16

In the ethical decision making process, the first step is to consult with colleagues or an ethics case manager.

Accepted Answer

The first step in the ethical decision-making process is typically to identify the problem or dilemma, not to consult with colleagues or an ethics case manager.

Question 17

Relationship ethics refer to ethics in a family that are based on the principles of:

Accepted Answer

Relationship ethics refer to ethics in a family that are based on the principles of equitability and caring.

Question 18

The professional association that focuses on accrediting educational institutions and advocating for MFT licensure at the state level is:

Accepted Answer

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is the professional association that focuses on accrediting educational institutions and advocating for MFT licensure at the state level. The other options are not specifically focused on MFT licensure and accreditation.

Question 19

The ethical principle of _____ goes beyond the avoidance of doing possible harm to clients and includes doing good and promoting the welfare of the client.

Accepted Answer

Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good and promoting the welfare of the client. It goes beyond merely avoiding harm and encourages counselors to actively work for the benefit of their clients. Autonomy refers to respecting a client's right to make their own decisions. Nonmaleficence is the principle that counselors should not cause harm to their clients. Fidelity relates to the counselor's duty to maintain trust and keep their promises to clients.

Question 20

_____ results from a lawsuit by a client against a therapist for professional malpractice (negligence) or gross negligence.

Accepted Answer

Civil liability results from a lawsuit between two parties where one party claims to have suffered harm or damage due to the actions of the other party. In this case, a client is claiming harm or damage due to a therapist's professional malpractice or negligence, which falls under civil liability. Criminal liability involves violations of criminal law, whereas administrative liability refers to liability for violations of administrative regulations. No liability would not apply in a situation where harm or damage has been claimed.

Quiz 6: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Family Therapy