ETHICS TOP PASSED EXAM 4 CERTIFICATION
ASSESSMENT 2026 VERIFIED ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ T/F: If a client or former client dies, their confidentiality remains
active.
Answer: TRUE (authorization would need to come from authorized
representative of deceased client)
◉ How do you handle disclosure of therapy-related information
when treating more than one person?
Answer: Each member competent to do so and 12+ years of age is
required to sign an authorization prior to the disclosure to third
parties.
◉ What are your legal and ethical duties regarding confidentiality in
group therapy?
Answer: In addition to LEGALLY maintaining confidentiality of all
members, therapist is ETHICALLY obligated to obtain agreement
from member to respect each other's confidentiality.
◉ T/F: If a client commits an act of theft or violence against the
therapist, the therapist is NOT OBLIGATED to maintain
confidentiality.
,Answer: TRUE
◉ What are the THREE MANDATED EXCEPTIONS to confidentiality?
Answer: 1) Child abuse
2) elder/dependent adult abuse
3) threat of physical violence to others
◉ One mandated exception to confidentiality is CHILD ABUSE, in
which there is knowledge or reasonable suspicion of what?
(5 answers)
Answer: 1) physical abuse
2) sexual abuse
3) neglect
4) willful cruelty or unjustified punishment
5) unlawful corporal punishment or injury
◉ One mandated exception to confidentiality is
ELDER/DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE, in which there is knowledge or
reasonable suspicion of what (if the adult resides in California)?
(6 answers)
Answer: 1) physical abuse
2) neglect
,3) financial abuse
4) abandonment
5) isolation
6) abduction
◉ One mandated exception to confidentiality is when a therapist
must report to law enforcement if the client communicates:
Answer: serious threat of physical violence against reasonably
identifiable victim(s)
◉ Apart from the big three, what are some other specific instances
in which there is NO CLIENT RIGHT to confidentiality?
(4 answers)
Answer: 1) court order
2) order from state board/commission/agency (e.g. BBS)
3) search warrant for the therapist
4) coroner's request in specific instances (either identifying next of
kin or for public health concerns)
◉ Apart from the big three, what are some other generally permitted
exceptions to confidentiality?
(7 answers)
Answer: 1) client is at high risk of suicide
, 2) client is gravely disabled
3) signed an authorization
4) billing insurance
5) disclosures to parents of minor clients
6) disclosures to other MH providers to prevent harm to client
7) probation office is entitled to know about therapy attendance
◉ If there are signs a client might be a DANGER TO OTHERS, what is
your legal/ethical duty?
Answer: You have the LEGAL duty to manage the situation.
◉ What are three signs that the client is a DANGER TO OTHERS?
Answer: 1) client expressing a clear plan
2) client alluding to a plan
3) someone who knows the client sharing knowledge or concerns of
a plan
◉ In the case of a DANGER TO OTHERS, if there is not a clear threat
to an identifiable other, what should you do?
Answer: Complete a full assessment of the situation.
ASSESSMENT 2026 VERIFIED ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ T/F: If a client or former client dies, their confidentiality remains
active.
Answer: TRUE (authorization would need to come from authorized
representative of deceased client)
◉ How do you handle disclosure of therapy-related information
when treating more than one person?
Answer: Each member competent to do so and 12+ years of age is
required to sign an authorization prior to the disclosure to third
parties.
◉ What are your legal and ethical duties regarding confidentiality in
group therapy?
Answer: In addition to LEGALLY maintaining confidentiality of all
members, therapist is ETHICALLY obligated to obtain agreement
from member to respect each other's confidentiality.
◉ T/F: If a client commits an act of theft or violence against the
therapist, the therapist is NOT OBLIGATED to maintain
confidentiality.
,Answer: TRUE
◉ What are the THREE MANDATED EXCEPTIONS to confidentiality?
Answer: 1) Child abuse
2) elder/dependent adult abuse
3) threat of physical violence to others
◉ One mandated exception to confidentiality is CHILD ABUSE, in
which there is knowledge or reasonable suspicion of what?
(5 answers)
Answer: 1) physical abuse
2) sexual abuse
3) neglect
4) willful cruelty or unjustified punishment
5) unlawful corporal punishment or injury
◉ One mandated exception to confidentiality is
ELDER/DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE, in which there is knowledge or
reasonable suspicion of what (if the adult resides in California)?
(6 answers)
Answer: 1) physical abuse
2) neglect
,3) financial abuse
4) abandonment
5) isolation
6) abduction
◉ One mandated exception to confidentiality is when a therapist
must report to law enforcement if the client communicates:
Answer: serious threat of physical violence against reasonably
identifiable victim(s)
◉ Apart from the big three, what are some other specific instances
in which there is NO CLIENT RIGHT to confidentiality?
(4 answers)
Answer: 1) court order
2) order from state board/commission/agency (e.g. BBS)
3) search warrant for the therapist
4) coroner's request in specific instances (either identifying next of
kin or for public health concerns)
◉ Apart from the big three, what are some other generally permitted
exceptions to confidentiality?
(7 answers)
Answer: 1) client is at high risk of suicide
, 2) client is gravely disabled
3) signed an authorization
4) billing insurance
5) disclosures to parents of minor clients
6) disclosures to other MH providers to prevent harm to client
7) probation office is entitled to know about therapy attendance
◉ If there are signs a client might be a DANGER TO OTHERS, what is
your legal/ethical duty?
Answer: You have the LEGAL duty to manage the situation.
◉ What are three signs that the client is a DANGER TO OTHERS?
Answer: 1) client expressing a clear plan
2) client alluding to a plan
3) someone who knows the client sharing knowledge or concerns of
a plan
◉ In the case of a DANGER TO OTHERS, if there is not a clear threat
to an identifiable other, what should you do?
Answer: Complete a full assessment of the situation.
