CALIFORNIA LAW FINAL PAPER 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ What is a leading cause of ethical complaints? Litigation for
malpractice? Answer: Confidentiality
4th most frequent basis of disciplinary action
◉ According to the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers should
protect confidentiality of all info except for when? Answer: Compelling
professional reasons
As necessary to prevent "serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm" to a
client or other identifiable person.
◉ To what level of detail should confidentiality be broken when
necessary? Answer: In these instances, professionals should disclose the
least amount of confidential information necessary to achieve the desired
purpose; only information that is directly relevant to the purpose for
which the disclosure is made should be revealed.
,◉ What type of consent is required in order for mental health
professionals to disclose to third parties? Answer: Written
Verbal - in emergency situations only
◉ What are the exceptions to confidentiality? Answer: Under California
law, there are several exceptions to the confidentiality of psychotherapy.
The primary exceptions to confidentiality concern harm to self or others:
Where there is a reasonable suspicion that a client is likely to harm him
or herself unless protective measures are taken.
Where there is a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or elder adult
physical abuse (see Mandated Reporting section);
Where there is a reasonable suspicion of the potential for danger of
violence to others (see Duty to Warn section);
◉ What is reasonable suspicion according to Lowenthal Child Abuse
Reporting guidelines? Answer: 1. Reasonable suspicion does not require
certainty that child abuse or neglect has occurred;
2. Reasonable suspicion does not require a specific medical indication of
child abuse or neglect; any reasonable suspicion is sufficient; and
3. Reasonable suspicion may be based on any information considered
credible by the reporter, including statements from other individuals.
,◉ How should a therapist approach treatment confidentiality with
families or couples? Answer: It is important for the provider to be
specific with regard to confidentiality issues and to seek agreement
among the parties involved concerning each individual's right to
confidentiality and obligation to preserve the confidentiality of
information shared by others.
◉ How should a therapist approach treatment confidentiality with
groups? Answer: The mental health provider cannot guarantee that group
members will keep information confidential and this information is
important to share with all group members in advance of group
psychotherapy.
◉ Can clients access their therapeutic medical record? Answer: Yes -
clinicians are ethically mandated to support clients in record review. Per
the NASW ethical code: "Social workers should provide clients with
reasonable access to records concerning the clients. Social workers who
are concerned that clients' access to their records could cause serious
misunderstanding or harm to the client should provide assistance in
interpreting the records and consultation with the client regarding the
records. Social workers should limit clients' access to their records, or
portions of their records, only in exceptional circumstances when there
is compelling evidence that such access would cause serious harm to the
client. Both clients' requests and the rationale for withholding some or
all of the record should be documented in clients' files."
, ◉ What is privileged communication? Answer: Privileged
communication refers to a private statement that must be kept in
confidence by the recipient for the benefit of the communicator."
◉ How many privileges are there in CA? Answer: 13 recognized
◉ Who holds the privilege? Answer: Client if no guardian or
conservator
If so, guardian/conservator holds it
◉ Who holds privilege if client is dead? Answer: Personal representative
◉ If you want to release information from a group, family or couple,
what must you do? Answer: • If your identified patient is a group,
family, or couple you must receive a waiver from each and every
member of the group before you can release any information.
◉ Do minor children hold privilege? Answer: Yes - If your patient is a
minor child, he or she holds the privilege. A minor's parents do not hold
the privilege for the minor. The only time a parent could hold the
privilege for the minor is if the court has specifically appointed the
parent as a guardian ad litem
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ What is a leading cause of ethical complaints? Litigation for
malpractice? Answer: Confidentiality
4th most frequent basis of disciplinary action
◉ According to the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers should
protect confidentiality of all info except for when? Answer: Compelling
professional reasons
As necessary to prevent "serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm" to a
client or other identifiable person.
◉ To what level of detail should confidentiality be broken when
necessary? Answer: In these instances, professionals should disclose the
least amount of confidential information necessary to achieve the desired
purpose; only information that is directly relevant to the purpose for
which the disclosure is made should be revealed.
,◉ What type of consent is required in order for mental health
professionals to disclose to third parties? Answer: Written
Verbal - in emergency situations only
◉ What are the exceptions to confidentiality? Answer: Under California
law, there are several exceptions to the confidentiality of psychotherapy.
The primary exceptions to confidentiality concern harm to self or others:
Where there is a reasonable suspicion that a client is likely to harm him
or herself unless protective measures are taken.
Where there is a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or elder adult
physical abuse (see Mandated Reporting section);
Where there is a reasonable suspicion of the potential for danger of
violence to others (see Duty to Warn section);
◉ What is reasonable suspicion according to Lowenthal Child Abuse
Reporting guidelines? Answer: 1. Reasonable suspicion does not require
certainty that child abuse or neglect has occurred;
2. Reasonable suspicion does not require a specific medical indication of
child abuse or neglect; any reasonable suspicion is sufficient; and
3. Reasonable suspicion may be based on any information considered
credible by the reporter, including statements from other individuals.
,◉ How should a therapist approach treatment confidentiality with
families or couples? Answer: It is important for the provider to be
specific with regard to confidentiality issues and to seek agreement
among the parties involved concerning each individual's right to
confidentiality and obligation to preserve the confidentiality of
information shared by others.
◉ How should a therapist approach treatment confidentiality with
groups? Answer: The mental health provider cannot guarantee that group
members will keep information confidential and this information is
important to share with all group members in advance of group
psychotherapy.
◉ Can clients access their therapeutic medical record? Answer: Yes -
clinicians are ethically mandated to support clients in record review. Per
the NASW ethical code: "Social workers should provide clients with
reasonable access to records concerning the clients. Social workers who
are concerned that clients' access to their records could cause serious
misunderstanding or harm to the client should provide assistance in
interpreting the records and consultation with the client regarding the
records. Social workers should limit clients' access to their records, or
portions of their records, only in exceptional circumstances when there
is compelling evidence that such access would cause serious harm to the
client. Both clients' requests and the rationale for withholding some or
all of the record should be documented in clients' files."
, ◉ What is privileged communication? Answer: Privileged
communication refers to a private statement that must be kept in
confidence by the recipient for the benefit of the communicator."
◉ How many privileges are there in CA? Answer: 13 recognized
◉ Who holds the privilege? Answer: Client if no guardian or
conservator
If so, guardian/conservator holds it
◉ Who holds privilege if client is dead? Answer: Personal representative
◉ If you want to release information from a group, family or couple,
what must you do? Answer: • If your identified patient is a group,
family, or couple you must receive a waiver from each and every
member of the group before you can release any information.
◉ Do minor children hold privilege? Answer: Yes - If your patient is a
minor child, he or she holds the privilege. A minor's parents do not hold
the privilege for the minor. The only time a parent could hold the
privilege for the minor is if the court has specifically appointed the
parent as a guardian ad litem
