MFT Law & Ethics Practice Questions with Complete
Solutions
An Associate is considering asking his clinical supervisor to be his therapist. The associate would like
to address ongoing personal relationship issues. Which of the following actions should the intern
take to manage the ethical issue in this case?
A. Explore the relationship issues with the supervisor as part of supervision.
B. Arrange for therapy with the supervisor that is separate from supervision.
C. Seek personal therapy from another therapist to avoid a dual relationship.
D. Wait until supervision hours are complete prior to initiating personal therapy. - Correct Answer C.
Seek personal therapy from another therapist to avoid a dual relationship
A client initiates therapy for depression following a failed marriage. The therapist finds the client very
attractive. Which of the following actions should the therapist take first to manage the ethical
obligation in this case?
A. Suppress personal feelings of attraction and continue providing therapy.
B. Inform the client of the therapist's feelings and discuss 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 - Correct 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 states that now that she has control of her mother's money she
finally has extra money to buy what she wants and enjoy her own life. The client states that her
mother 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. - Correct Answer C. Break confidentiality
and contact an adult protective services agency
Which of these tests 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) - Correct 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. - Correct 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 receiving informed consent, the client tells the therapist that he wants to share
certain information but is concerned it could get his friends in trouble. What is the most appropriate
response to address the client's concern in this case?
A. Recognize the client is not ready to talk about the situation and shift the focus to a less
threatening subject.
B. Acknowledge it could be hard to feel safe in this situation and encourage him to only share
information when he feels he is ready.
C. Confirm the client understands when a therapist must break confidentiality and show him where
the files are locked to ensure his privacy.D. Encourage the client to talk about these things and
reassure him that the therapi - Correct Answer B. Acknowledge it could be hard to feel safe in this
situation and encourage him to only share information when he feels he is ready.
A 17-year-old is referred by her doctor to a mental health agency for counseling. The client learned
several weeks ago that she's pregnant. She reports she is in a relationship with the person who got
her pregnant, 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 tells the therapist 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. Seek consultation and refer the client to prenatal services.
C. Encourage the client to include her boyfriend in making a decision.
Solutions
An Associate is considering asking his clinical supervisor to be his therapist. The associate would like
to address ongoing personal relationship issues. Which of the following actions should the intern
take to manage the ethical issue in this case?
A. Explore the relationship issues with the supervisor as part of supervision.
B. Arrange for therapy with the supervisor that is separate from supervision.
C. Seek personal therapy from another therapist to avoid a dual relationship.
D. Wait until supervision hours are complete prior to initiating personal therapy. - Correct Answer C.
Seek personal therapy from another therapist to avoid a dual relationship
A client initiates therapy for depression following a failed marriage. The therapist finds the client very
attractive. Which of the following actions should the therapist take first to manage the ethical
obligation in this case?
A. Suppress personal feelings of attraction and continue providing therapy.
B. Inform the client of the therapist's feelings and discuss 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 - Correct 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 states that now that she has control of her mother's money she
finally has extra money to buy what she wants and enjoy her own life. The client states that her
mother 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. - Correct Answer C. Break confidentiality
and contact an adult protective services agency
Which of these tests 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) - Correct 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. - Correct 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 receiving informed consent, the client tells the therapist that he wants to share
certain information but is concerned it could get his friends in trouble. What is the most appropriate
response to address the client's concern in this case?
A. Recognize the client is not ready to talk about the situation and shift the focus to a less
threatening subject.
B. Acknowledge it could be hard to feel safe in this situation and encourage him to only share
information when he feels he is ready.
C. Confirm the client understands when a therapist must break confidentiality and show him where
the files are locked to ensure his privacy.D. Encourage the client to talk about these things and
reassure him that the therapi - Correct Answer B. Acknowledge it could be hard to feel safe in this
situation and encourage him to only share information when he feels he is ready.
A 17-year-old is referred by her doctor to a mental health agency for counseling. The client learned
several weeks ago that she's pregnant. She reports she is in a relationship with the person who got
her pregnant, 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 tells the therapist 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. Seek consultation and refer the client to prenatal services.
C. Encourage the client to include her boyfriend in making a decision.
