California MFT Law and Ethics Practice Tests
Questions with Correct Answers
If a client is reluctant to share records, even if sharing records is a good idea, what should a therapist
do first? - Correct Answer In what case regarding sharing records might it be a good idea to start with
where the client's at and also acknowledge the client's self determination?
Is obtaining informed consent a legal or ethical issue? - Correct Answer WHAT that happens at the
onset of treatment is BOTH a legal and ethical issue?
If a client is elderly and not taking care of his home (very, very messy) but has no dementia and
wants to stay in his home, what is the best course of action? - Correct Answer In what instances
would it be a good idea to arrange for an in-home assessment of an elderly person whose family
wants them to move to a facility?
*We want to make sure to respect self-determination and assess that family aren't exerting too much
control over decisions.
If a client presents with an issue that is outside of the scope of competence of the therapist, should
the therapist first tell the client their limitations or seek consultation immediately? - Correct Answer
In what case would a therapist refrain from telling the client about the therapist's limitations in
treating a certain area?
Is it illegal to avoid talking about termination with someone who doesn't have any treatment goals to
work on but the therapist is enjoying the sessions, or is it simply unethical? - Correct Answer It is
unethical to treat a patient in WHAT instance where the patient is doing well?
Can you assert privilege when you get a court order? - Correct Answer What type of subpoena is one
that a therapist wouldn't assert privilege for?
If you receive a court order for a client's records what is the most important thing to do? - Correct
Answer Contacting a lawyer is the best and ultimate option for protecting your client in response to
WHAT type of subpoena?
If a client is age 12 or older and is mature enough to consent to their own treatment, should a
therapist simply allow the child to consent on their own or determine whether or not to get the
parents' consent? - Correct Answer A therapist always needs to first assess if there is a reason not to
include the parents in WHAT situations at the start of therapy?
, If a therapist decides not to include a minor's parents in treatment, what is the next step to take
immediately after obtaining the client's informed consent? - Correct Answer When should a therapist
document in the record the reasons why a minor's parents are not included?
If a minor is age 12 or older (and mature) and their parents are supportive of therapy (there is reason
to include them) what should a therapist do? - Correct Answer A therapist should obtain consent
from a minor's parents and allow them to pay for treatment in what instances?
If a family with some children older the age of 12 and some below and are engaging in family
treatment who should consent? - Correct Answer All members of the family should consent for
treatment even if what is true?
What should a therapist do when a client refuses to pay after learning of the fee after treatment
began even if it was a crisis situation? - Correct Answer A therapist should always accept a client's
refusal to pay in what instance?
If a therapist treats a client in crisis without disclosing fees what is an option that the therapist can
take if the client refuses to pay? - Correct Answer A therapist can negotiate for a partial fee if a client
refuses to pay in what type of situation involving a crisis?
If a client is in crisis and refuses to pay for the initial session because they didn't know the fee, what
are some options the therapist has? - Correct Answer A therapist can do one of the following in what
instance?
1. Refer a client out who is refusing to pay the fee
2. Inform the client that future sessions will be at the therapist's full rate
If a student threatens to shoot kids at his school and has access to a gun but later retracts his
statement, how should a therapist respond? - Correct Answer A therapist should contact the police
because how horrible would it be if he did it and the police hadn't been warned?
If a client is moving out of the area and wants to continue skype sessions, what is the therapist's legal
and ethical duty? - Correct Answer A therapist should initially help the client explore finding a
therapist in the new area unless the area has few resources. This should be done first before
automatically offering telemedicine sessions.
Questions with Correct Answers
If a client is reluctant to share records, even if sharing records is a good idea, what should a therapist
do first? - Correct Answer In what case regarding sharing records might it be a good idea to start with
where the client's at and also acknowledge the client's self determination?
Is obtaining informed consent a legal or ethical issue? - Correct Answer WHAT that happens at the
onset of treatment is BOTH a legal and ethical issue?
If a client is elderly and not taking care of his home (very, very messy) but has no dementia and
wants to stay in his home, what is the best course of action? - Correct Answer In what instances
would it be a good idea to arrange for an in-home assessment of an elderly person whose family
wants them to move to a facility?
*We want to make sure to respect self-determination and assess that family aren't exerting too much
control over decisions.
If a client presents with an issue that is outside of the scope of competence of the therapist, should
the therapist first tell the client their limitations or seek consultation immediately? - Correct Answer
In what case would a therapist refrain from telling the client about the therapist's limitations in
treating a certain area?
Is it illegal to avoid talking about termination with someone who doesn't have any treatment goals to
work on but the therapist is enjoying the sessions, or is it simply unethical? - Correct Answer It is
unethical to treat a patient in WHAT instance where the patient is doing well?
Can you assert privilege when you get a court order? - Correct Answer What type of subpoena is one
that a therapist wouldn't assert privilege for?
If you receive a court order for a client's records what is the most important thing to do? - Correct
Answer Contacting a lawyer is the best and ultimate option for protecting your client in response to
WHAT type of subpoena?
If a client is age 12 or older and is mature enough to consent to their own treatment, should a
therapist simply allow the child to consent on their own or determine whether or not to get the
parents' consent? - Correct Answer A therapist always needs to first assess if there is a reason not to
include the parents in WHAT situations at the start of therapy?
, If a therapist decides not to include a minor's parents in treatment, what is the next step to take
immediately after obtaining the client's informed consent? - Correct Answer When should a therapist
document in the record the reasons why a minor's parents are not included?
If a minor is age 12 or older (and mature) and their parents are supportive of therapy (there is reason
to include them) what should a therapist do? - Correct Answer A therapist should obtain consent
from a minor's parents and allow them to pay for treatment in what instances?
If a family with some children older the age of 12 and some below and are engaging in family
treatment who should consent? - Correct Answer All members of the family should consent for
treatment even if what is true?
What should a therapist do when a client refuses to pay after learning of the fee after treatment
began even if it was a crisis situation? - Correct Answer A therapist should always accept a client's
refusal to pay in what instance?
If a therapist treats a client in crisis without disclosing fees what is an option that the therapist can
take if the client refuses to pay? - Correct Answer A therapist can negotiate for a partial fee if a client
refuses to pay in what type of situation involving a crisis?
If a client is in crisis and refuses to pay for the initial session because they didn't know the fee, what
are some options the therapist has? - Correct Answer A therapist can do one of the following in what
instance?
1. Refer a client out who is refusing to pay the fee
2. Inform the client that future sessions will be at the therapist's full rate
If a student threatens to shoot kids at his school and has access to a gun but later retracts his
statement, how should a therapist respond? - Correct Answer A therapist should contact the police
because how horrible would it be if he did it and the police hadn't been warned?
If a client is moving out of the area and wants to continue skype sessions, what is the therapist's legal
and ethical duty? - Correct Answer A therapist should initially help the client explore finding a
therapist in the new area unless the area has few resources. This should be done first before
automatically offering telemedicine sessions.
