Counseling Ethics Case Study

In the case study of Gwen, there is one major problem presented. That problem is whether it is ethical for a supervisor to counsel his supervisee. I think that Gwen is going through the grieving process after learning about her mother’s condition and is in a vulnerable spot. She feels like she cannot continue her work with hospice patients because of personal feelings. Ken thinks that Gwen is a great therapist and does not want to see her give up. He also feels like he would be the most effective person to give Gwen counseling, because of their trusting relationship. I think that this would be a bad idea and could cross professional boundaries. The Ethical Guidelines for Counseling Supervisors strongly suggest against a supervisor entering in a psychotherapeutic relationship with supervisees. It is important to limit the possibilities of a dual relationship. Dual relationships can easily become unethical and present problems or possible harm to the client, which in this case is the supervisee. They can also create dependency or have unfavorable symbolic meanings. I also do not think it was a good idea that the counseling happened in the supervision sessions. This time should be spent on improving knowledge and helping clients. Spending most of the supervisor sessions working on personal problems could potentially harm the progress and well-being of the supervisee’s clients. My reaction to Ken blending the roles of supervisor and counselor is that it was not a good, professional, decision. He has entered a dual relationship with Gwen that could potentially cause harm to her or create a conflict of interest. Since Ken is Gwen’s supervisor, he has more power over the relationship than Gwen does. This power can easily be abused by Ken...

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...professional functioning and when they can have an impact on clients. If the supervisee asks or the supervisor feels that the supervisee needs counseling, than the supervisor should refer the supervisee to an appropriate counselor.

Works Cited

American Psychological Association. (2002). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 57, 1068.

National Association of Social Workers. (1999). Code of Ethics. Retrieved July 27, 2001, from http://www.naswdc.org/Code/ethics.htm.

Parsons, R.D. (2001). The ethics of professional practice. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Rothman, J.C. (2011). From the front lines: Student cases in social work ethics. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Reamer, F.G. (2007). Boundaries among colleagues. Social Work Today, 7(4). Retrieved From: http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/EoEJulAug07.shtml.