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The MBLEx expects knowledge of professional ethics, boundary management, and relevant regulations. Barter arrangements can blur professional boundaries, complicate valuation, taxation, and fairness, and create dual-relationship dynamics that may impair objectivity. The most ethical, low-risk path is to decline the barter and reference a clearly stated policy on payment forms, maintaining transparency and consistency for all clients. This protects therapeutic neutrality and avoids perceived favoritism. Accepting compensation in kind (A, C) may create pressure to reciprocate beyond clinical judgment and can raise compliance issues if not handled within a formal, written, and fairly applied policy that meets local laws—something most solo practitioners avoid due to complexity. Conditioning services on reviews (D) is unethical and can be considered coercive solicitation, undermining trust and professional integrity. The best practice is to thank the client, decline the offer respectfully, reiterate accepted payment methods, and, if appropriate, discuss legitimate discounts that are universally available (e.g., seasonal promotions) documented in the practice’s policies and marketing materials.