Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
What this domain tests
Professional and ethical responsibilities cover scope of practice, boundaries, informed consent, supervision, cultural humility, and mandatory reporting. The exam tests whether you can recognize an ethical dilemma and choose a defensible response.
Core rules
- Practice only within your training and credential; refer or consult when a case exceeds your competence.
- Avoid dual relationships that could impair judgment or exploit a client; document and consult when unavoidable.
- Informed consent covers services, risks, benefits, alternatives, fees, and confidentiality limits.
- Self-disclosure should serve the client, not the counselor; keep it brief and purposeful.
- Know mandatory reporting duties: child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, and serious threats of violence under Tarasoff principles.
Worked example
A client offers a $200 gift card after discharge. The counselor declines, explains the boundary, documents the offer and response, and consults a supervisor. Reasoning: gifts can create obligation and blur boundaries; a small token may be acceptable under policy, but cash-equivalent gifts are high risk.
Traps
Confusing friendship with therapeutic alliance; practicing outside scope; failing to consult; over-sharing personal recovery stories; and ignoring social media or texting boundaries.