Texas LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) Jurisprudence Exam

Conduct that is sexual in nature includes...

1. Engaging in healthy touch to comfort a grieving client

2. Discussing client's personal issues during counseling sessions

3. Offensive behavior creating a hostile environment

4. Providing simple compliments to uplift a client's mood

The correct answer is: Offensive behavior creating a hostile environment

The correct choice, which identifies conduct that is sexual in nature, highlights how offensive behavior can lead to a hostile environment. This kind of conduct is often categorized under sexual harassment because it can create an intimidating, offensive, or hostile atmosphere for clients. Such behavior can include unwanted sexual advances, suggestive remarks, or any action that can be interpreted as having a sexual undertone that negatively impacts the therapeutic relationship. In contrast, engaging in healthy touch to comfort a grieving client, discussing personal issues in counseling, and offering compliments are typically considered appropriate professional behaviors. Healthy touch, when used appropriately and with consent, can be a means of providing solace to clients in distress. Discussing personal issues, as part of the therapeutic process, fosters deeper understanding and connection in counseling sessions. Similarly, compliments can boost a client's self-esteem and are a normal part of supportive therapeutic interactions, provided they are given with sensitivity and professionalism. None of these behaviors inherently imply sexual conduct, making the correct choice about offensive behavior in a counseling context particularly significant.