Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What should a therapist prioritize when a client indicates self-harming behavior?

1. Assess the client's support system

2. Contact the client's family

3. Ensure the client's immediate safety

4. Determine the root cause of the client's distress

The correct answer is: Ensure the client's immediate safety

When a client indicates self-harming behavior, the therapist's primary responsibility is to ensure the client’s immediate safety. This prioritization stems from the ethical principle of "do no harm," which is fundamental in mental health practices. The therapist must first assess the severity of the self-harming behavior and any imminent risk of suicide or further harm. Ensuring immediate safety often involves creating a safety plan, which may include removing any harmful objects, directing the client to emergency services if necessary, or facilitating hospitalization if the risk is high. This approach is non-negotiable because the client’s safety is paramount; without addressing this, other therapeutic processes may be rendered ineffective or even dangerous. While assessing the client's support system, contacting family members, and exploring the root causes of distress are all important aspects of therapy, they follow the critical step of ensuring immediate safety. Only when a therapist can confidently say that the client is no longer in immediate danger can they focus on these other elements in a structured and effective manner.