Canadian Counseling Ethics and Law
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
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1. A registered clinical counselor practicing in a community mental
health agency in Canada begins treating a 17-year-old client who
discloses ongoing recreational drug use, occasional impaired driving,
and intermittent suicidal thoughts without a specific plan. The client
refuses consent for parental involvement and insists that disclosure
would result in expulsion from the family home. The counselor
determines that the client demonstrates mature minor capacity and
understands the nature and consequences of treatment decisions.
Which of the following actions is the counselor’s most ethically and
legally appropriate course of action under generally accepted
Canadian counseling standards?
,A. Immediately inform the parents because all minors lack legal authority to
refuse parental access to treatment information
B. Contact police regarding the client’s impaired driving before continuing
counseling
C. Continue treatment while maintaining confidentiality unless risk escalates
to an imminent and serious safety concern
D. Terminate counseling because the client’s refusal to involve parents
prevents lawful treatment
C.
Canadian counseling ethics and common law principles recognize that
mature minors may consent to treatment and exercise confidentiality
rights when they possess sufficient decisional capacity. Counselors must
preserve confidentiality unless disclosure is legally required, such as when
there is imminent risk of serious harm or mandatory reporting obligations.
The disclosed behaviors, while concerning, do not automatically justify
breaching confidentiality in the absence of immediate danger.
2. A counselor in private practice receives a subpoena requiring
production of a former client’s psychotherapy records in a civil lawsuit
involving workplace harassment. The client previously informed the
counselor that disclosure of therapy records would be devastating to
their emotional well-being. What is the counselor’s best initial
response after receiving the subpoena?
,A. Ignore the subpoena because counseling records are always privileged in
Canada
B. Immediately release the complete file to avoid contempt proceedings
C. Contact the client and seek legal consultation before responding to the
subpoena
D. Destroy sensitive notes that could harm the client if disclosed
C.
Counselors should never ignore subpoenas or automatically release records
without proper review. Ethical and legal standards require counselors to
seek legal advice, notify the client where appropriate, and determine
whether privilege may be asserted or whether court authorization is
required before disclosure. Destroying records is unethical and potentially
unlawful.
3. During a counseling session, a client reveals a detailed plan to
seriously assault a former partner within the next 24 hours and states
they have already purchased a weapon. The counselor believes the
threat is credible and imminent. Under Canadian ethical and legal
principles, what is the counselor’s primary obligation?
A. Preserve confidentiality because counseling relationships are absolute
B. Warn the potential victim and/or contact authorities to reduce
foreseeable harm
, C. Wait until the client actually commits the offense before disclosing
information
D. Refer the client elsewhere without documenting the threat
B.
Canadian counseling ethics recognize limited exceptions to confidentiality
where there is a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to an identifiable
person or group. Counselors have a duty to take reasonable protective
action, which may include notifying authorities, warning potential victims,
and documenting risk assessment and interventions.
4. A counselor employed at a university begins developing romantic
feelings toward a graduate student client. The counselor believes the
relationship could become mutually beneficial after treatment ends
and plans to pursue social contact six months after termination. Which
statement best reflects ethical standards governing dual relationships?
A. Romantic relationships with former clients are acceptable if the client
initiates contact
B. Sexual or romantic relationships with clients are prohibited because of
inherent power imbalance concerns
C. Romantic involvement is acceptable after six months if treatment records
are closed
D. Dual relationships are only prohibited in hospital settings
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. A registered clinical counselor practicing in a community mental
health agency in Canada begins treating a 17-year-old client who
discloses ongoing recreational drug use, occasional impaired driving,
and intermittent suicidal thoughts without a specific plan. The client
refuses consent for parental involvement and insists that disclosure
would result in expulsion from the family home. The counselor
determines that the client demonstrates mature minor capacity and
understands the nature and consequences of treatment decisions.
Which of the following actions is the counselor’s most ethically and
legally appropriate course of action under generally accepted
Canadian counseling standards?
,A. Immediately inform the parents because all minors lack legal authority to
refuse parental access to treatment information
B. Contact police regarding the client’s impaired driving before continuing
counseling
C. Continue treatment while maintaining confidentiality unless risk escalates
to an imminent and serious safety concern
D. Terminate counseling because the client’s refusal to involve parents
prevents lawful treatment
C.
Canadian counseling ethics and common law principles recognize that
mature minors may consent to treatment and exercise confidentiality
rights when they possess sufficient decisional capacity. Counselors must
preserve confidentiality unless disclosure is legally required, such as when
there is imminent risk of serious harm or mandatory reporting obligations.
The disclosed behaviors, while concerning, do not automatically justify
breaching confidentiality in the absence of immediate danger.
2. A counselor in private practice receives a subpoena requiring
production of a former client’s psychotherapy records in a civil lawsuit
involving workplace harassment. The client previously informed the
counselor that disclosure of therapy records would be devastating to
their emotional well-being. What is the counselor’s best initial
response after receiving the subpoena?
,A. Ignore the subpoena because counseling records are always privileged in
Canada
B. Immediately release the complete file to avoid contempt proceedings
C. Contact the client and seek legal consultation before responding to the
subpoena
D. Destroy sensitive notes that could harm the client if disclosed
C.
Counselors should never ignore subpoenas or automatically release records
without proper review. Ethical and legal standards require counselors to
seek legal advice, notify the client where appropriate, and determine
whether privilege may be asserted or whether court authorization is
required before disclosure. Destroying records is unethical and potentially
unlawful.
3. During a counseling session, a client reveals a detailed plan to
seriously assault a former partner within the next 24 hours and states
they have already purchased a weapon. The counselor believes the
threat is credible and imminent. Under Canadian ethical and legal
principles, what is the counselor’s primary obligation?
A. Preserve confidentiality because counseling relationships are absolute
B. Warn the potential victim and/or contact authorities to reduce
foreseeable harm
, C. Wait until the client actually commits the offense before disclosing
information
D. Refer the client elsewhere without documenting the threat
B.
Canadian counseling ethics recognize limited exceptions to confidentiality
where there is a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to an identifiable
person or group. Counselors have a duty to take reasonable protective
action, which may include notifying authorities, warning potential victims,
and documenting risk assessment and interventions.
4. A counselor employed at a university begins developing romantic
feelings toward a graduate student client. The counselor believes the
relationship could become mutually beneficial after treatment ends
and plans to pursue social contact six months after termination. Which
statement best reflects ethical standards governing dual relationships?
A. Romantic relationships with former clients are acceptable if the client
initiates contact
B. Sexual or romantic relationships with clients are prohibited because of
inherent power imbalance concerns
C. Romantic involvement is acceptable after six months if treatment records
are closed
D. Dual relationships are only prohibited in hospital settings
