The textbook discusses the top 10 ethical and legal concepts in professional counseling. List these concepts and briefly describe them.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

1. Confidentiality – Client’s expectation that information shared with a counselor remains private
2. Mandated reporting – Mental health practitioners must report suspected abuse or neglect of children under 18 years of age within 24 to 72 hours of having “reason to suspect”
3. Privileged communication – Legal term used to describe the privacy of the communication between the counselor and client
4. Informed consent – Legal procedure to ensure that patients, clients, and research participants are aware of the potential risks and costs involved in treatment or procedure
5. Duty to warn – Responsibility of counselor to break confidentiality to warn foreseeable and identifiable victims of potential violence
6. Professional competence – Requires counselors to maintain ongoing professional growth and education
7. Scope of practice – Defines the procedures, actions, and processes that are permitted for the licensed individual
8. Professional disclosure statement – Informs client about counselor’s professional background and the limitations of the professional relationship
9. Minor consent laws – Laws permitting certain minors to pursue treatment without parental consent
10. Dual relationship – Occurs when a counselor has any relationship with a client or former client other than counseling