AMFTRB Exam: Ethics and
Crisis Intervention Questions
and Correct Answers
Standard I - Responsibility to Clients - Answer-MFTs advance the welfare of families
and individuals and make reasonable efforts to find the appropriate balance between
conflicting goals within the family system.
1.1 Non-Discrimination - Answer-MFTs provide professional assistance to persons
without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status,
disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender
identity or relationship status.
1.2 Informed Consent - Answer-MFTs obtain appropriate informed consent to therapy or
related procedures and use language that is reasonably understandable to clients.
When persons, due to age or mental status, are legally incapable of giving informed
consent, marriage and family therapists obtain informed permission from a legally
authorized person, if such substitute consent is legally permissible. The content of
informed consent may vary depending upon the client and treatment plan; however,
informed consent generally necessitates that the client:
(a) has the capacity to consent;
(b) has been adequately informed of significant information concerning treatment
processes and procedures;
(c) has been adequately informed of potential risks and benefits of treatments for which
generally recognized standards do not yet exist;
(d) has freely and without undue influence expressed consent; and
(e) has provided consent that is appropriately documented.
1.3 Multiple Relationships - Answer-MFTs are aware of their influential positions with
respect to clients, and they avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons.
Therapists, therefore, make every effort to avoid conditions and multiple relationships
with clients that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation.
Such relationships include, but are not limited to, business or close personal
relationships with a client or the client's immediate family. When the risk of impairment
or exploitation exists due to conditions or multiple roles, therapists document the
appropriate precautions taken.
1.4 Sexual Intimacy with Current Clients and Others - Answer-Sexual intimacy with
current clients or with known members of client's family system is prohibited.
,1.5 Sexual Intimacy with Former Clients and Others - Answer-Sexual intimacy with
former clients or with known members of the client's family system is prohibited.
1.6 Reports of Unethical Conduct - Answer-MFTs comply with applicable laws regarding
the reporting of alleged unethical conduct.
1.7 Abuse of the Therapeutic Relationship - Answer-MFTs do not abuse their power in
therapeutic relationships
1.8 Client Autonomy in Decision Making - Answer-MFTs respect the rights of clients to
make decisions and help them to understand the consequences of these decisions.
Therapists clearly advise clients that they have responsibility to make such decisions
regarding relationships such as cohabitation, marriage, divorce, separation,
reconciliation, custody, and visitation.
1.9 Relationship Beneficial to Client - Answer-MFTs continue therapeutic relationships
only so long as it is reasonably clear that clients are benefiting from the relationship.
1.10 Referrals - Answer-MFTs respectfully assist persons in obtaining appropriate
therapeutic services if the therapist is unable or unwilling to provide professional help.
1.11 Non-Abandonment - Answer-MFTs do not abandon or neglect clients in treatment
without making reasonable arrangements for the continuation of treatment.
1.12 Written Consent to Record - Answer-MFTs obtain written informed consent from
clients before videotaping, audio recording, or permitting third-party observation.
1.13 Relationships with Third Parties - Answer-MFTs, upon agreeing to provide services
to a person or entity at the request of a third party, clarify, to the extent feasible and at
the outset of the service, the nature of the relationship with each party and the limits of
confidentiality.
Standard II - Confidentiality - Answer-MFTs have unique confidentiality concerns
because the client in a therapeutic relationship may be more than one person.
Therapists respect and guard the confidences of each individual client.
2.1 Disclosing Limits of Confidentiality. - Answer-MFTs disclose to clients and other
interested parties at the outset of services the nature of confidentiality and possible
limitations of the clients' right to confidentiality. Therapists review with clients the
circumstances where confidential information may be requested and where disclosure
of confidential information may be legally required. Circumstances may necessitate
repeated disclosures.
2.2 Written Authorization to Release Client Information - Answer-MFTs do not disclose
client confidences except by written authorization or waiver, or where mandated or
permitted by law. Verbal authorization will not be sufficient, except for in emergency
, situations, unless prohibited by law. When providing couple, family, or group treatment,
therapist does not disclose information outside treatment context without written
authorization from each individual competent to execute a waiver. Therapist may not
revel any individual's confidences to others in client unit without prior written permission
of that individual.
2.3 Client Access to Records - Answer-MFTs provide clients with reasonable access to
records concerning the clients. When providing couple, family, or group treatment, the
therapist does not provide access to records without a written authorization from each
individual competent to execute a waiver. Marriage and family therapists limit client's
access to their records only in exceptional circumstances when they are concerned,
based on compelling evidence, that such access could cause serious harm to the client.
The client's request and the rationale for withholding some or all of the record should be
documented in the client's file. MFTs take steps to protect the confidentiality of other
individuals identified in client records.
2.4 Confidentiality in Non-clinical Activities - Answer-MFTs use client and/or clinical
materials in teaching, writing, consulting, research, and public presentations only if a
written waiver has been obtained in accordance with Standard 2.2 (Written
Authorization to Release Client Info), or when appropriate steps have been taken to
protect client identity and confidentiality.
2.5 Protection of Records - Answer-MFTs store, safeguard, and dispose of client
records in ways that maintain confidentiality and in accord with applicable laws and
professional standards.
2.6 Preparation for Practice Changes. - Answer-In preparation for moving a practice,
closing a practice, or death, MFTs arrange for the storage, transfer, or disposal of client
records in conformance with applicable laws and in ways that maintain confidentiality
and safeguard the welfare of clients.
2.7 Confidentiality in Consultations - Answer-MFTs, when consulting with colleagues or
referral sources, do not share confidential information that could reasonably lead to the
identification of a client, research participant, supervisee, or other person with whom
they have a confidential relationship unless they have obtained the prior written consent
of the client, research participant, supervisee, or other person with whom they have a
confidential relationship. Information may be shared only to the extent necessary to
achieve the purposes of the consultation.
Standard III - Professional Competence and Integrity - Answer-MFTs maintain high
standards of professional competence and integrity
3.1 Maintenance of Competency. - Answer-MFTs pursue knowledge of new
developments and maintain their competence in marriage and family therapy through
education, training, or supervised experience.
Crisis Intervention Questions
and Correct Answers
Standard I - Responsibility to Clients - Answer-MFTs advance the welfare of families
and individuals and make reasonable efforts to find the appropriate balance between
conflicting goals within the family system.
1.1 Non-Discrimination - Answer-MFTs provide professional assistance to persons
without discrimination on the basis of race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status,
disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender
identity or relationship status.
1.2 Informed Consent - Answer-MFTs obtain appropriate informed consent to therapy or
related procedures and use language that is reasonably understandable to clients.
When persons, due to age or mental status, are legally incapable of giving informed
consent, marriage and family therapists obtain informed permission from a legally
authorized person, if such substitute consent is legally permissible. The content of
informed consent may vary depending upon the client and treatment plan; however,
informed consent generally necessitates that the client:
(a) has the capacity to consent;
(b) has been adequately informed of significant information concerning treatment
processes and procedures;
(c) has been adequately informed of potential risks and benefits of treatments for which
generally recognized standards do not yet exist;
(d) has freely and without undue influence expressed consent; and
(e) has provided consent that is appropriately documented.
1.3 Multiple Relationships - Answer-MFTs are aware of their influential positions with
respect to clients, and they avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons.
Therapists, therefore, make every effort to avoid conditions and multiple relationships
with clients that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation.
Such relationships include, but are not limited to, business or close personal
relationships with a client or the client's immediate family. When the risk of impairment
or exploitation exists due to conditions or multiple roles, therapists document the
appropriate precautions taken.
1.4 Sexual Intimacy with Current Clients and Others - Answer-Sexual intimacy with
current clients or with known members of client's family system is prohibited.
,1.5 Sexual Intimacy with Former Clients and Others - Answer-Sexual intimacy with
former clients or with known members of the client's family system is prohibited.
1.6 Reports of Unethical Conduct - Answer-MFTs comply with applicable laws regarding
the reporting of alleged unethical conduct.
1.7 Abuse of the Therapeutic Relationship - Answer-MFTs do not abuse their power in
therapeutic relationships
1.8 Client Autonomy in Decision Making - Answer-MFTs respect the rights of clients to
make decisions and help them to understand the consequences of these decisions.
Therapists clearly advise clients that they have responsibility to make such decisions
regarding relationships such as cohabitation, marriage, divorce, separation,
reconciliation, custody, and visitation.
1.9 Relationship Beneficial to Client - Answer-MFTs continue therapeutic relationships
only so long as it is reasonably clear that clients are benefiting from the relationship.
1.10 Referrals - Answer-MFTs respectfully assist persons in obtaining appropriate
therapeutic services if the therapist is unable or unwilling to provide professional help.
1.11 Non-Abandonment - Answer-MFTs do not abandon or neglect clients in treatment
without making reasonable arrangements for the continuation of treatment.
1.12 Written Consent to Record - Answer-MFTs obtain written informed consent from
clients before videotaping, audio recording, or permitting third-party observation.
1.13 Relationships with Third Parties - Answer-MFTs, upon agreeing to provide services
to a person or entity at the request of a third party, clarify, to the extent feasible and at
the outset of the service, the nature of the relationship with each party and the limits of
confidentiality.
Standard II - Confidentiality - Answer-MFTs have unique confidentiality concerns
because the client in a therapeutic relationship may be more than one person.
Therapists respect and guard the confidences of each individual client.
2.1 Disclosing Limits of Confidentiality. - Answer-MFTs disclose to clients and other
interested parties at the outset of services the nature of confidentiality and possible
limitations of the clients' right to confidentiality. Therapists review with clients the
circumstances where confidential information may be requested and where disclosure
of confidential information may be legally required. Circumstances may necessitate
repeated disclosures.
2.2 Written Authorization to Release Client Information - Answer-MFTs do not disclose
client confidences except by written authorization or waiver, or where mandated or
permitted by law. Verbal authorization will not be sufficient, except for in emergency
, situations, unless prohibited by law. When providing couple, family, or group treatment,
therapist does not disclose information outside treatment context without written
authorization from each individual competent to execute a waiver. Therapist may not
revel any individual's confidences to others in client unit without prior written permission
of that individual.
2.3 Client Access to Records - Answer-MFTs provide clients with reasonable access to
records concerning the clients. When providing couple, family, or group treatment, the
therapist does not provide access to records without a written authorization from each
individual competent to execute a waiver. Marriage and family therapists limit client's
access to their records only in exceptional circumstances when they are concerned,
based on compelling evidence, that such access could cause serious harm to the client.
The client's request and the rationale for withholding some or all of the record should be
documented in the client's file. MFTs take steps to protect the confidentiality of other
individuals identified in client records.
2.4 Confidentiality in Non-clinical Activities - Answer-MFTs use client and/or clinical
materials in teaching, writing, consulting, research, and public presentations only if a
written waiver has been obtained in accordance with Standard 2.2 (Written
Authorization to Release Client Info), or when appropriate steps have been taken to
protect client identity and confidentiality.
2.5 Protection of Records - Answer-MFTs store, safeguard, and dispose of client
records in ways that maintain confidentiality and in accord with applicable laws and
professional standards.
2.6 Preparation for Practice Changes. - Answer-In preparation for moving a practice,
closing a practice, or death, MFTs arrange for the storage, transfer, or disposal of client
records in conformance with applicable laws and in ways that maintain confidentiality
and safeguard the welfare of clients.
2.7 Confidentiality in Consultations - Answer-MFTs, when consulting with colleagues or
referral sources, do not share confidential information that could reasonably lead to the
identification of a client, research participant, supervisee, or other person with whom
they have a confidential relationship unless they have obtained the prior written consent
of the client, research participant, supervisee, or other person with whom they have a
confidential relationship. Information may be shared only to the extent necessary to
achieve the purposes of the consultation.
Standard III - Professional Competence and Integrity - Answer-MFTs maintain high
standards of professional competence and integrity
3.1 Maintenance of Competency. - Answer-MFTs pursue knowledge of new
developments and maintain their competence in marriage and family therapy through
education, training, or supervised experience.
