CA MFT EXAM - LAW & ETHICS QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS/ CA MFT EXAM - LAW & ETHICS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS| LATEST 2025-2026
EXAM UPDATE
Forms of Elder Abuse - Answer-Physical abuse
Abandonment
Isolation (such as to keep them from reporting)
Neglect
Abduction
Financial
Tarasoff - Answer-Thx must protect an intended victim when client,
close family member of client, or a credible 3rd party has told thx of
client's "serious threat" (which mist be imminent) of "physical violence"
to a "reasonably identifiable victim"
Tarasoff duty to protect - Answer-A thx has fulfilled his responsibility
and saved himself from a lawsuit if he warns the police and the intended
victim
Or, he can have the client hospitalized through a 5150 (but this does not
provide immunity)
Thx should:
Tell police within 24 hours
,Warn intended victim
Warn someone who can tell the intended victim
Have client dispose of the means
Institute a "no violence" plan
Have the client hospitalized
Whatever else can be done to protect the intended victim
Tarasoff related court decisions - Answer-Bellah vs Greenson: Tarasoff
does not apply to threats of suicide or threats to property
Thompson vs Alameda: for Tarasoff to apply, the victim must be
identifiable and the peril must be foreseeable
Headlined vs Superior Court of Orange County: Tarasoff damages can
include bystanders (only adds to liability)
Melendez vs superior court: thx can use statements made by client in
order to convince the victim of danger
Ewing vs Goldstein: the information need not come from client, but can
come from family member or credible 3rd party
The Patriot Act of 2002 - Answer-Allows the FBI or other government
agents to get special subpoenas to compel therapists to turn over
whatever PHI is wanted
, AND, thx cannot disclose to client or anyone else that the records were
sought or obtained
Suicidal Clients - Answer-Therapists must take "reasonable steps" to
prevent suicide
These include:
A self-care plan
Increased contact (more sessions, more often)
Disposal of means
Referrals for medication
Telling friends/family so as to create a 24-hour no-suicide watch team
Voluntary hospitalization
Involuntary hospitalization
A thx may break confidentiality (Evidence code 1024), but should be
able to demonstrate that it was necessary to do so
5150 - Answer-Involves any client who is gravely disabled or a danger
to self or others
Anyone can initiate a 5150, but only certain people can invoke a 5150
Who can invoke a 5150? - Answer-Police officers
Members of the attending staff of a county certified facility
Other professionals designated by the county
AND ANSWERS/ CA MFT EXAM - LAW & ETHICS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS| LATEST 2025-2026
EXAM UPDATE
Forms of Elder Abuse - Answer-Physical abuse
Abandonment
Isolation (such as to keep them from reporting)
Neglect
Abduction
Financial
Tarasoff - Answer-Thx must protect an intended victim when client,
close family member of client, or a credible 3rd party has told thx of
client's "serious threat" (which mist be imminent) of "physical violence"
to a "reasonably identifiable victim"
Tarasoff duty to protect - Answer-A thx has fulfilled his responsibility
and saved himself from a lawsuit if he warns the police and the intended
victim
Or, he can have the client hospitalized through a 5150 (but this does not
provide immunity)
Thx should:
Tell police within 24 hours
,Warn intended victim
Warn someone who can tell the intended victim
Have client dispose of the means
Institute a "no violence" plan
Have the client hospitalized
Whatever else can be done to protect the intended victim
Tarasoff related court decisions - Answer-Bellah vs Greenson: Tarasoff
does not apply to threats of suicide or threats to property
Thompson vs Alameda: for Tarasoff to apply, the victim must be
identifiable and the peril must be foreseeable
Headlined vs Superior Court of Orange County: Tarasoff damages can
include bystanders (only adds to liability)
Melendez vs superior court: thx can use statements made by client in
order to convince the victim of danger
Ewing vs Goldstein: the information need not come from client, but can
come from family member or credible 3rd party
The Patriot Act of 2002 - Answer-Allows the FBI or other government
agents to get special subpoenas to compel therapists to turn over
whatever PHI is wanted
, AND, thx cannot disclose to client or anyone else that the records were
sought or obtained
Suicidal Clients - Answer-Therapists must take "reasonable steps" to
prevent suicide
These include:
A self-care plan
Increased contact (more sessions, more often)
Disposal of means
Referrals for medication
Telling friends/family so as to create a 24-hour no-suicide watch team
Voluntary hospitalization
Involuntary hospitalization
A thx may break confidentiality (Evidence code 1024), but should be
able to demonstrate that it was necessary to do so
5150 - Answer-Involves any client who is gravely disabled or a danger
to self or others
Anyone can initiate a 5150, but only certain people can invoke a 5150
Who can invoke a 5150? - Answer-Police officers
Members of the attending staff of a county certified facility
Other professionals designated by the county
