Exam Preview for 2046: Moral Good Versus Moral and Ethical Duty in

Moral Good Versus Moral and Ethical Duty in Mental Health Practice: Shoulds, Shalls, and What-Ifs

Please note: exam questions are subject to change.

1. Which of the following is the best example of an “ethical duty” for mental health professionals engaged in clinical practice with clients? being flexible reporting suspicions of child abuse to child protection services showing gratitude to clients for the work they are doing in therapy helping clients feel hopeful
2. Which of the following is the best example of a “moral good” for mental health professionals engaged in clinical practice with clients? ensuring clients understand the nature, benefits, and risks of services during the informed consent process practicing within one’s area of professional competence exploiting clients for personal gain expressing warmth and concern for client's well-being
3. Which of the following is the most accurate definition of “moral good” for mental health professionals? an action, behavior, or quality that contributes to the well-being, flourishing, or dignity of individuals and society following a legal requirement violating an agency policy a baseline ethical obligation that all mental health professionals must follow, or pay the price for violations
4. Which of the following is the most accurate definition of an “ethical duty” for mental health professionals? practicing without a parachute or safety net the ideals or aspirations of the profession an obligation describing how mental health professionals should conduct themselves the right of mental health professionals to impose their spiritual beliefs on clients
5. When mental health professionals are analyzing how to respond to ethical dilemmas, they should: consider moral and ethical duties only consider moral goods only consider moral goods, moral duties, and ethical duties not consider moral goods, moral duties, or ethical duties
6. A mental health professional is faced with an ethical dilemma that comes down to a choice between “respecting client self-determination” (an ethical duty) and “promoting kindness in the world” (a moral good). How should the mental health prioritize these choices? Respect client self-determination because it is an ethical duty. Promote kindness because it is a moral good. Do nothing because there are no good choices in this situation. Flip a coin because it really doesn’t matter whether the mental health professional prioritizes duties or goods.
7. The preamble of a code of ethics for mental health professionals emphasizes the importance self-care. Self-care is not mentioned anywhere else in the code. You notice that a professional colleague is neglecting self-care, which may lead to burnout. Which of the following statements provides the best explanation of this provision that you could discussion with your colleague? Our code of ethics does not suggest whether or not engaging in self-care is a good thing for mental health professionals. Our code of ethics suggests that it’s good to engage in self-care. Even though self-care is not strictly required, it could help you provide more competent care for clients. Our code of ethics says self-care is required and you could lose your professional license simply by failing to engage in self-care. I am required to report you to our professional association for failing to engage in self-care, an ethical duty for all our members.
8. You become aware that a professional colleague is planning to engage in sexual relations with a client. A state licensing law for your profession says that sexual relationships with clients are prohibited. Which of the following statements to your colleague most accurately reflects what this law means? Our licensing law permits sexual relationships with clients unless the client provides consent. Avoiding sexual relationships with clients is morally good, but there is no duty to avoid sexual relationships with clients. Having a sexual relationship with a client is a violation of state licensing laws. Ordinarily, you should not have sexual relationships with a client unless you have a pretty good excuse for doing so.
9. Assume that a professional code of ethics encourages members to promote mental health in their communities. A student intern asks if she can get in trouble for violating this code if she does not engage in advocacy to promote mental health. Which of the following is the most accurate answer for this question? If you do not promote mental health at all times, you could be fined or punished for failing to live up to this aspirational standard. Promoting mental health is a moral good, meaning that it is commendable but not punishable if not achieved. Mental health professionals should not consider ethical codes because they are too confusing. If you violate this professional code, you could be charged in criminal court for failing to promote mental health.
10. A mental health professional encourages supervisees to demonstrate genuineness to clients. A supervisee asks, “If genuineness is not required by our code of ethics, then why should I be forced to demonstrate genuineness?” Which of the following is the best response to this question? Demonstrating genuineness is not in our code of ethics, so it’s probably a bad idea. My apologies for suggesting it. Demonstrating genuineness is an ethical duty even if it’s not in the code of ethics. The code of ethics is the only source that mental health professionals should consider when determining what is morally good or ethically required. Demonstrating genuineness helps us engage with clients, so it is good to do whether or not it’s discussed in our code of ethics.