Which statement about ethics standards is true?

• A. They only apply to clinical diagnosis
• B. They serve to protect and promote welfare of multiple stakeholders
• C. They only apply to confidentiality
• D. They are optional guidelines

Answer: (B)

Ethics standards guide professional conduct to protect and promote welfare across many people touched by practice—clients, families, supervisees, colleagues, the profession, and the public. They set expectations for how you diagnose and treat, how you obtain informed consent, maintain boundaries, handle confidentiality, address cultural and individual differences, avoid conflicts of interest, conduct research, and represent the field honestly. This broad scope is what makes the statement true: ethics standards are about safeguarding the well-being of multiple stakeholders, not just a single aspect of practice. They are mandatory and foundational, not optional guidelines, and they extend far beyond confidentiality or any one narrow duty.