Ethical Dilemmas In Counseling

1722 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Ethical dilemmas scenarios in counseling

An Exploration of an Ethical Dilemma
The ethical dilemma presented with a counselor who is provisionally licensed and is earning supervised hours in a small rural area. Her supervisor does not focus on her counseling work and is now on vacation. The counselor has a counselor who came in with depression and marriage issues. The counselor saw a woman get out of the client’s husbands car, and heard that he is having an affair. The counselor’s daughter attends the same school as the clients, and they play together after school at times. The client’s daughter reported to the counselor’s daughter that her mother has a drinking problem and is always fighting with her father. The counselor has an emergency appointment with the client the next day and …show more content…

In our opinion, finding competent supervision is the foundational issue. In order to do this, the counselor could explore options within the town, and if there are none, then find a supervisor in another location that she can consult with. For the counselor to provide proficient services that maximize the well-being of the client, this is mandatory. The client additionally needs to speak to her client as soon as possible about their current dual relationship involving their daughters. Boundaries need to be established and a plan should be made regarding the daughter’s friendship, and how you will proceed in the future. There needs to be more transparency in this area, and it needs to be fully addressed with the …show more content…

We focused on the ones we deemed most important. The ACA code of ethics states that counselors should practice only within the boundaries of their competence based on their supervised experience [C.2.a] and monitor their effectiveness by taking reasonable steps to seek supervision [C.2.d]. The code also state that counselors need to take reasonable steps to consult with other counselors when it comes to their ethical obligations or professional practice [C.2.e.] (American Counseling Association, 2014). This shows the importance of the counselor to take steps to get competent supervision to be sure that she is providing adequate services. The ACA code also states that counselors should avoid entering into non-professional relationships with the client’s family members when the interaction is potentially harmful to the client [A.6.e.], implying that the counselor should really take a hard look at her client’s daughter coming to her house after school without discussing it with her

Show More
Related

  • ACA Code Of Ethics Analysis

    176 Words  | 1 Pages

    It is important as a professional health care provider to have guidelines, regulations, and ethical standards to obey when providing care to the public. The ACA is to improve the quality of professional counselors in the community with education, knowledge, and guidelines by providing an ACA Code of Ethics standard when delivering treatment toward a clientele (American Counseling Association, 2015). One particular part of the ACA mission that is essential, is the ACA Code of Ethics. The purpose of the ACA Code of Ethics is a guide to ensure counselors in training and professional counselors understand the ethical obligations toward clients, possible grievances for conduct unbecoming, and professional responsibilities, which supports the ACA

    Read More

  • AMHCA Ethical Codes

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    In respect to counseling mandated individuals, the ACA code delinates the ethical guidelines to follow, but the AMHCA code does not mention this obligation (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, p. 4; AMHCA Code of Ethics, 2010). It is important for counselors as a profession as well as specifically mental health counselors to understand how to ethically address mandated clients. Furthermore, as the ACA code states, it is important to counselors to discuss with clients the reprocutions for refusing services due to being mandated for treatment (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, p. 4). Interestingtly, the AMHCA code does not include ethical standards for terminating a supervisory relationship whereas the ACA code does (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, p. 13; AMHCA Code of Ethics, 2010). Such that the ACA ethical code indicates that both parties have the right to terminate the relationship and the supervisor should make a refferal (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, p. 13; AMHCA Code of Ethics, 2010). It appears as though this is a highlighted difference between the expectations in a supervisor/supervisee relationship between mental health counselors and counselors as a professional entity. When addressing clients who are also receiving services from other professionals, the ACA and AMHCA codes present different guidelines for how to

    Read More

  • Counselor Ethical Dilemma

    1003 Words  | 3 Pages

    Using the IMED the counselor would first recognize that CRW elements exist within the ethical dilemma and then identify them. For example, Ana got a bad grade on the math test after she had been given supports, and that may make her father feel as if she is bringing shame to the family. Next, the counselor would take into account the school policies and procedures, and ethical and legal issues such as that any abuse or suspected abuse must be reported to child protective services (State of Hawaii, 2007). Additionally, the counselor must take into consideration the ethical codes that would apply to this case. The counselor would consider the limits of confidentiality, such as American Counseling Association ([ACA] 2014) ethical standard B.2.a, and American School Counselor Association ([ASCA] 2010) ethical standards A.2.c and A.2.d, which all ethically support a counselor’s breach of confidentiality when there is foreseeable harm to the student. The counselor must also recognize the student’s developmental and chronological age when determining the risk of harm to the student (standard A.2.c [ASCA, 2010]). Next, the

    Read More

  • Lying on the Couch By Irvin Yalom

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    American Counseling Association (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. - See more at: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics#sthash.13ImD8Lb.dpuf

    Read More

  • Ethical Principles in Clinical Mental Health

    714 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mandatory ethics is the level of functioning where the counselor is abiding by the basic “do’s and don’ts” of professional counseling. These are definitive codes that will protect a counselor from legal action and professional censure. All mental health professionals will be held accountable by the minimum standards set by state licensure boards and courts of law. Issues addressed by the Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association (APA) include, but are not limited to, competence, human relations, confidentiality and fees. (American Psychological Association, 2002)

    Read More

  • Psychopharmacology

    932 Words  | 2 Pages

    Linde, L.E., Erford, B.T., & Cheung, A. (2010). Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling. In B.T. Erford (Ed.), Orientations to the Counseling Profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations (pp.55-92). New Jersey: Pearson.

    Read More

  • The Ethical Decision Making Model: The Kitchener Critical Evaluation Model

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    This model identifies five moral principles which are: justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and fidelity. These fundamental guidelines are used to clarify issues that involve any given situation. Ethical guidelines may not address all situations, but will allow a counselor to explore ethical dilemmas and conflicting issues. Counselors are responsible to encourage clients to make their own appropriate decisions and to act on their own values. Two important things to consider when counseling client are: autonomous encouragement helps clients understand how their decisions and values that may or may not receive within the context of the society; they live in or may impinge on the rights of others (Kitchener,

    Read More

  • Ethical Issues In Counseling

    1132 Words  | 3 Pages

    A counselor should always keep their thoughts to themselves and remain open-minded about the situation. The only time a counselor should share their thoughts is if it helps the client with their situation that they are dealing with. “Counselors must practice only within the boundaries of their competence (Standard C.2.a.), and, if they “determine an inability to be of professional assistance to clients” (Standard A.11.b.), they should facilitate a referral to another provider. (Kocet, M. M., & Herlihy, B. J. (2014). Addressing Value-Based Conflicts Within the Counseling Relationship: A Decision-Making Model. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 180-186 7p. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00146.x).” Keeping your thoughts to yourself is

    Read More

  • Extending Counseling Boundaries

    293 Words  | 1 Pages

    Counselor should never have a dual relationship with a client it can bring a lot of ethics issue that affect the client and counselor. According to ACA "A.6.b. Extending Counseling Boundaries Counselors consider the risks and bene ts of extending current counsel- ing relationships beyond conventional parameters. Examples include attend- ing a client’s formal ceremony (e.g., a wedding/commitment ceremony or graduation), purchasing a service or product provided by a client (excepting unrestricted bartering), and visiting a cli- ent’s ill family member in the hospital. In extending these boundaries, counselors take appropriate professional precau- tions such as informed consent, consul- tation, supervision, and documentation to ensure that judgment

    Read More

  • Counseling: Ethical Issues

    1774 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ethical issues in a counseling practice lay the foundation of a therapist in practice. Ethics are at the center of how the counseling process functions and operates in a successful manner for the clients who seek help in such a setting. In order for the counseling profession to be ethical and hold professional recognition, there are many facets that need to be examined and outlined to make sure all counselors and practitioners are functioning at the highest level and withholding their duties required by the counseling profession. The first introduction so to speak of the area of ethics also happens to be one of the first steps in counseling, which is the informed consent. The informed consent provides the basis of what happens or will be happening in a counseling setting and serves to inform the client to their rights, responsibilities, and what to expect. Most importantly, the informed consent is in place for the client’s benefit. It also is important to understand that culture and environment play a role in the treatment of a client and how theories can positively or negatively impact this treatment. Therapists need to understand how to work within the context of a theory while being able to understand the individual in their own environment. Although theories are put into place to serve as a framework, there are also alternative ways to approach counseling, one example being evidence-based practice. Such an approach is very specific, which presents a series of solutions for counseling as a whole, but also brings forth many problems. Every approach or theory introduces ethical concerns that need to be taken into consideration by the entire counseling community and how each can positively and negatively affect clients and the pr...

    Read More

  • The ACA Code Of Ethics In Group Counseling

    1181 Words  | 3 Pages

    The ACA code of ethics “reflects the counseling profession’s understanding of changes in the role of the professional or changes in the society counselors serve” (Ponton & Duba, 2009, p. 119). The ACA code of ethics discusses many things counselors need to keep in mind when counseling an individual or a group. Some topics addressed are informed consent, confidentiality, and group work (ACA code of ethics, 2006, pp. 236-238). All three of these topics are all issues counselors will encounter in counseling a group or an individual.

    Read More

  • Boundaries and Ethics in a Counseling Relationship

    2216 Words  | 5 Pages

    G.P. Koocher & P. Kieth-Spiegel (1998) pointed out many conflict of dual and multiple role including personal, client/therapist, therapist/supervisor and therapist/colleague, and how they can improve and complicate the counselling process. Boundaries and competence runs along side one another, which made come to conclusion that if the therapist is considering breaking them s/he should know what they breaking and how to break them ethically. Sometimes the outcome of ethical dilemma can only be “determined by the client and counsellor at that time” which could enable the therapist to change the priorities of Ethical principles and modify his/her actions according to the client’s circumstances (T. Bond, 2000:62).

    Read More

  • Code Of Ethics Essay

    1737 Words  | 4 Pages

    Code of ethics act as a promise to protect and support the safety of individuals in society, supports as a leading light it help the supporters of an occupation, resolve ethical problems and act as a protector the community. A code of ethics discloses and conserves the current viewpoint professionals on in what way to make ethical decisions. It stresses importance on obligation to moral values and vital beliefs. Application of a code of ethics helps us to guarantee that members of the profession will be accountable for their actions. It helps us to learn about the responsibility we have for ourselves, our colleagues and to the social structure of the profession. It is essential that the present and future psychologist should be aware of the formal ethical codes of practices in psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) developed this formal Ethics Code which demonstrates the approaches to the psychologist about logical, educational, and clinical behaviors to be followed while working as a licensed person. By applying the ethical code a psychologist can identify ethical issues, interrelate with others professionally. This can inhibit and solve ethical dilemmas, and he /she will be able achieve their professional protagonists and responsibilities.

    Read More

  • Ethical Responsibility Of A Professional School Counselor

    1007 Words  | 3 Pages

    The ASCA ethical standards helps to guide the relationship counselors have with their students by helping with topics like being respectful, promoting safety, and ethical principles. Counselors must always maintain confidentiality, unless there is a legal requirement to do otherwise like if the student is hurting themselves, others, or being hurt. Ethically, school counselors are required to take appropriate action if students engage in behavior that presents clear and imminent danger to themselves and others. Legally, school counselors are required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect, and they are also required to respond to subpoenas and participate in other legal proceedings dictated by the courts. It is important for a professional school counselor to be sure that both student and their parents know the confidentiality rules prior to their working with the student.

    Read More

  • Individual Counseling Case Study

    707 Words  | 2 Pages

    The need to have such rules protects the client as it protects the counselor and the association he or she is representing. In both individual and group counseling there are unique ethical attributions that counselors must stay focused on. One is what type of leader is he/she within the group. What preparations and qualifications they have earned, and how much experience they have with in the subjects that they are discussing. Jacobs et al., advises that “More and more clients are becoming aware that therapists have ethical standards by which they should abide; thus, an increasing number of clients are challenging the ethical behavior of professional helpers” (Jacobs p. 28). Many clients are well educated on the process, or have sufficient experience in group therapy that a helper with no or little experience can be seen with very little effort. The America Counseling Association (2004) have their members bind on codes of ethics that can help their success if followed, “Counselors practice in specialty areas new to them only after appropriate education, training, and supervised experience” (c.2.b.). Also seen in the ASGW’s Best Practice Guide (2008)

    Read More

More about Ethical Dilemmas In Counseling

Open Document