Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Which of the following best represents a breach of duty in therapeutic relationships?

1. Client dissatisfaction

2. Confidential information disclosure by the counselor

3. Client suing for malpractice

4. Client receiving unauthorized advice

The correct answer is: Client suing for malpractice

A breach of duty in therapeutic relationships refers to a failure to uphold the standard of care expected within a professional-client dynamic. The essence of this concept lies in the professional's responsibilities to the client, which include maintaining confidentiality, providing competent treatment, and acting in the best interest of the client. While a client suing for malpractice can indicate a breach, it primarily represents the action taken by the client as a consequence of perceived failures or injuries resulting from the therapist's conduct. This means that the breach itself would typically involve behaviors such as negligence or failure to meet ethical standards. On the other hand, the disclosure of confidential information by the counselor directly violates the ethical and legal obligations that counselors have towards their clients. Such a disclosure undermines the trust inherent in therapeutic relationships and can lead to significant harm to the client, making it a clear example of a breach of duty. Similarly, if a client receives unauthorized advice, it may indicate a failure on the part of the professional to provide appropriate guidance, which is also a breach. Client dissatisfaction, while problematic, does not inherently demonstrate a breach of duty, as it can stem from various factors, including mismatched expectations rather than clear misconduct by the therapist. In summary, the disclosure of confidential information clearly exemplifies a