MFT LAW AND ETHICS PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
An Associate is thinking of asking his clinical supervisor to be his therapist. The
associate wants to discuss ongoing personal relationship problems. Which of the
following actions should the intern do to handle the ethical concern in this
situation?
A. Discuss the relationship problems with the supervisor as part of the
supervision.
B. Set up therapy with the supervisor that is separate from the supervision.
C. Seek personal therapy from another therapist to avoid a dual relationship.
D. Wait until supervision hours are complete before starting personal therapy. -
ANSWER C. Seek personal therapy from another therapist to avoid a dual
relationship
A client begins therapy due to depression after a marriage breakdown. The
therapist feels the client is very attractive. Which of the following is the first
step the therapist should take in managing the ethical requirement in this
situation?
A. Suppress the personal attraction feelings and maintain the therapy.
B. Disclosure of the therapist's feelings to the client and discussion of
therapeutic boundaries.
C. Explain the ethical issue to the client and provide a referral to an alternate
therapist.
D. Seek consultation to manage the attraction and monitor therapeutic
boundaries - ANSWER D. Seek consultation to manage the attraction and
monitor therapeutic boundaries
,A 58-year-old client who is working on childhood abuse issues has recently
become the conservator of her mother's finances. The client reports that now she
has control of her mother's money she finally has extra money to spend on what
she wants to enjoy her own life. The client reports that mom is "finally getting
what she deserves." Which of the following actions should the therapist take to
address the legal issue involved in this case?
A. Maintain confidentiality and address the client's childhood trauma.
B. Maintain confidentiality and seek consultation for any countertransference
issues.
C. Break confidentiality and contact an adult protective services agency
D. Break confidentiality and initiate a well-person check. - ANSWER C.
Break confidentiality and contact an adult protective services agency
What among the following is currently used for MFT licensure in California?
a. MFT Clinical Exam
b. National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)
c. National MFT Exam
d.California Family Therapy Exam for Licensure (CFTEL) - ANSWER a.MFT
Clinical Exam
The therapist has a client whom he has been seeing for the past year. The client
struggles with OCD and generalized anxiety disorder. The client recently states
that she needs an Emotional Support Animal and is thinking of getting a dog.
She states her apartment won't let her have a dog unless it is an ESA. She asks
the therapist to write her a letter noting that because of her diagnosis she needs
an ESA at all times. The therapist ethically should:
a) Continue to gather information regarding the client's need for an ESA.
b) Tell the client no because it is outside their scope of practice.
c) Refer the client to another therapist to determine if she really needs an ESA.
, d) Write her the letter since she has been seeing for the past year. - ANSWER
a) Continue to gather information regarding the client's need for an ESA.
During an initial assessment interview, a therapist observes that her new client
is suspicious of the agency and the therapist. The therapist provides informed
consent, including the limits of confidentiality. After informed consent, the
client indicates to the therapist that he would like to share certain information
but is afraid it will get his friends in trouble. Which of the following responses
best addresses the client's concern?
A. Identify that the client is not ready to discuss the situation and redirect the
conversation to a less threatening topic.
B. Identify that it may be difficult to feel safe in this situation and reassure him
that he need not share information until he feels ready.
C. Let the client know when a therapist has to break confidentiality and take
him to where the files are kept locked for his privacy. D. Let the client discuss
these issues and reassure him that the therapi - ANSWER B. Let him know it
might be difficult to feel secure in this circumstance and he need not say
anything with which he is not ready.
A 17-year-old female is referred to a mental health agency for counseling by her
doctor. The client learned several weeks ago that she is pregnant. She reports
she is in a relationship with the person who impregnated her, but they are not
getting along, she does not want him to know, and does not think she wants to
have the baby. She is conflicted about what to do and informs the therapist that
she would like support as she decides what to do. The therapist has personal
beliefs against abortion and feels strongly the client should not have an
abortion. How should the therapist address the conflict presented in this case?
A. Seek immediate consultation to discuss the matter and determine if a referral
would be appropriate.
B. Refer the client for prenatal services and seek consultation.
C. Encourage the client to include her boyfriend in the decision-making process.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
An Associate is thinking of asking his clinical supervisor to be his therapist. The
associate wants to discuss ongoing personal relationship problems. Which of the
following actions should the intern do to handle the ethical concern in this
situation?
A. Discuss the relationship problems with the supervisor as part of the
supervision.
B. Set up therapy with the supervisor that is separate from the supervision.
C. Seek personal therapy from another therapist to avoid a dual relationship.
D. Wait until supervision hours are complete before starting personal therapy. -
ANSWER C. Seek personal therapy from another therapist to avoid a dual
relationship
A client begins therapy due to depression after a marriage breakdown. The
therapist feels the client is very attractive. Which of the following is the first
step the therapist should take in managing the ethical requirement in this
situation?
A. Suppress the personal attraction feelings and maintain the therapy.
B. Disclosure of the therapist's feelings to the client and discussion of
therapeutic boundaries.
C. Explain the ethical issue to the client and provide a referral to an alternate
therapist.
D. Seek consultation to manage the attraction and monitor therapeutic
boundaries - ANSWER D. Seek consultation to manage the attraction and
monitor therapeutic boundaries
,A 58-year-old client who is working on childhood abuse issues has recently
become the conservator of her mother's finances. The client reports that now she
has control of her mother's money she finally has extra money to spend on what
she wants to enjoy her own life. The client reports that mom is "finally getting
what she deserves." Which of the following actions should the therapist take to
address the legal issue involved in this case?
A. Maintain confidentiality and address the client's childhood trauma.
B. Maintain confidentiality and seek consultation for any countertransference
issues.
C. Break confidentiality and contact an adult protective services agency
D. Break confidentiality and initiate a well-person check. - ANSWER C.
Break confidentiality and contact an adult protective services agency
What among the following is currently used for MFT licensure in California?
a. MFT Clinical Exam
b. National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)
c. National MFT Exam
d.California Family Therapy Exam for Licensure (CFTEL) - ANSWER a.MFT
Clinical Exam
The therapist has a client whom he has been seeing for the past year. The client
struggles with OCD and generalized anxiety disorder. The client recently states
that she needs an Emotional Support Animal and is thinking of getting a dog.
She states her apartment won't let her have a dog unless it is an ESA. She asks
the therapist to write her a letter noting that because of her diagnosis she needs
an ESA at all times. The therapist ethically should:
a) Continue to gather information regarding the client's need for an ESA.
b) Tell the client no because it is outside their scope of practice.
c) Refer the client to another therapist to determine if she really needs an ESA.
, d) Write her the letter since she has been seeing for the past year. - ANSWER
a) Continue to gather information regarding the client's need for an ESA.
During an initial assessment interview, a therapist observes that her new client
is suspicious of the agency and the therapist. The therapist provides informed
consent, including the limits of confidentiality. After informed consent, the
client indicates to the therapist that he would like to share certain information
but is afraid it will get his friends in trouble. Which of the following responses
best addresses the client's concern?
A. Identify that the client is not ready to discuss the situation and redirect the
conversation to a less threatening topic.
B. Identify that it may be difficult to feel safe in this situation and reassure him
that he need not share information until he feels ready.
C. Let the client know when a therapist has to break confidentiality and take
him to where the files are kept locked for his privacy. D. Let the client discuss
these issues and reassure him that the therapi - ANSWER B. Let him know it
might be difficult to feel secure in this circumstance and he need not say
anything with which he is not ready.
A 17-year-old female is referred to a mental health agency for counseling by her
doctor. The client learned several weeks ago that she is pregnant. She reports
she is in a relationship with the person who impregnated her, but they are not
getting along, she does not want him to know, and does not think she wants to
have the baby. She is conflicted about what to do and informs the therapist that
she would like support as she decides what to do. The therapist has personal
beliefs against abortion and feels strongly the client should not have an
abortion. How should the therapist address the conflict presented in this case?
A. Seek immediate consultation to discuss the matter and determine if a referral
would be appropriate.
B. Refer the client for prenatal services and seek consultation.
C. Encourage the client to include her boyfriend in the decision-making process.
