CA MFT EXAM - LAW & ETHICS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT
RATED A+
MFT Scope of Practice
✔✔ A legal definition outlining what a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
(LMFT) is authorized to do. This includes:
Practicing psychotherapy
Diagnosing and treating mental disorders for the purpose of improving
relational functioning
Administering and interpreting psychological tests, as long as the MFT has
the appropriate education, training, or experience, and the testing supports
the improvement of the client's relationships
Privilege
✔✔ A legal concept that protects a client's right to keep communications with their
therapist confidential during legal proceedings. This right belongs to the client (or
their legal representative), not the therapist.
Subpoenas and Privilege
✔✔ When served with a subpoena, the therapist’s first responsibility is to assert
privilege on behalf of the client. Records should only be released with the client’s
written consent or a court order compelling disclosure.
Who holds privilege? - ANSWERS✔✔The client, if he is an adult, or if he is a
minor who is receiving treatment without parental consent.
The court can waive the privilege
If a minor is a ward of the state, the minor holds privilege, which can be waived by
the court or by the client's attorney
, If there is a legal guardian, he/she can waive privilege on behalf of client
Exceptions to privilege - ANSWERS✔✔A judge decides if the facts of the case
fall under one of the following exceptions to privilege:
The client has introduced his emotional condition in a legal proceeding
The client has treated information as if it were not confidential
The thx has been appointed by the court to examine the client
The thx has been ordered by the court to divulge information
The client has sought therapy to commit and/or escape punishment for a crime
Proceedings to determine sanity
Proceedings to establish client competence
Confidentiality - ANSWERS✔✔Both legal & ethical term
Thx cannot divulge HIV even if client is endangering a partner
Mandated reporters are allowed to respond to follow-up inquiries from
investigators
Mandated Exceptions to Confidentiality - ANSWERS✔✔Suspected abuse
Tarasoff
The Patriot Act of 2002
Permissive Exceptions to Confidentiality - ANSWERS✔✔Client is a danger to
self, or to the person or property of others (California evidence code 1024)
Disclosures to licensed professionals (such as supervisor or colleague) to get help
in treating client
When there is an authorization to release PHI
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT
RATED A+
MFT Scope of Practice
✔✔ A legal definition outlining what a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
(LMFT) is authorized to do. This includes:
Practicing psychotherapy
Diagnosing and treating mental disorders for the purpose of improving
relational functioning
Administering and interpreting psychological tests, as long as the MFT has
the appropriate education, training, or experience, and the testing supports
the improvement of the client's relationships
Privilege
✔✔ A legal concept that protects a client's right to keep communications with their
therapist confidential during legal proceedings. This right belongs to the client (or
their legal representative), not the therapist.
Subpoenas and Privilege
✔✔ When served with a subpoena, the therapist’s first responsibility is to assert
privilege on behalf of the client. Records should only be released with the client’s
written consent or a court order compelling disclosure.
Who holds privilege? - ANSWERS✔✔The client, if he is an adult, or if he is a
minor who is receiving treatment without parental consent.
The court can waive the privilege
If a minor is a ward of the state, the minor holds privilege, which can be waived by
the court or by the client's attorney
, If there is a legal guardian, he/she can waive privilege on behalf of client
Exceptions to privilege - ANSWERS✔✔A judge decides if the facts of the case
fall under one of the following exceptions to privilege:
The client has introduced his emotional condition in a legal proceeding
The client has treated information as if it were not confidential
The thx has been appointed by the court to examine the client
The thx has been ordered by the court to divulge information
The client has sought therapy to commit and/or escape punishment for a crime
Proceedings to determine sanity
Proceedings to establish client competence
Confidentiality - ANSWERS✔✔Both legal & ethical term
Thx cannot divulge HIV even if client is endangering a partner
Mandated reporters are allowed to respond to follow-up inquiries from
investigators
Mandated Exceptions to Confidentiality - ANSWERS✔✔Suspected abuse
Tarasoff
The Patriot Act of 2002
Permissive Exceptions to Confidentiality - ANSWERS✔✔Client is a danger to
self, or to the person or property of others (California evidence code 1024)
Disclosures to licensed professionals (such as supervisor or colleague) to get help
in treating client
When there is an authorization to release PHI
