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Ethical issues in counseling practice
Ethical issues in counseling practice
Ethical issues in counseling practice
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This paper is an analysis of a hypothetical vignette in which a counselor-in-training named Callie, a fairly experienced and nearly-licensed counselor supervisee, approaches her counselor supervisor for advice and direction regarding an ethical dilemma. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ethical and legal implications of the dilemma along with an optimal solution to ethically resolve the issue. Using the Forrester-Miller and Davis Decision Making Model Ethical dilemmas are situations that are difficult to navigate and include making a difficult choice. The Forrester-Miller and Davis Decision Making Model (1996) is a systematic approach to examine a situation and find an ethical, workable, and reasonable solution to a dilemma. The Forrester-Miller and Davis Model is often used in the counseling field for decision making because it implements Kitchener’s five moral principles and it easily adapts to the American Counselor Association’s Code of Ethics (2005) (Neuer, Michel, Davis, & Slaughter, 2011). The Forrester-Miller and Davis Decision Making Model (1996) has seven steps. These steps are outlined in the subsequent sections (Forrester-Miller & Davis, 1996). Identify the Problem Callie is a month away from earning her Licensed Professional Counselor license in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She has been working with clients for several years and currently serves as a counselor for an agency in Virginia. Her agency’s director requested that Callie provide him a weekly list of the individuals she counsels along with a comprehensive list of other professionals she consults regarding her clients. The director told Callie he needs this information to provide to the Community Service Board (CSB). This is the primary ethic... ... middle of paper ... ...(2006). Casuistry: A complement to principle ethics and a foundation for ethical decisions. Counseling and Values, 50, 142-153. Glosoff, H. L., Herlihy, B., & Spence, B. (2000). Privileged communication in the counselor-client relationship: An analysis of state laws and implications for practice. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78, 454-462. Hill, A.L. (2004). Ethical analysis in counseling: A case for narrative ethics, moral visions, and virtue ethics. Counseling and Values, 48, 131-148. Kitchener, K. S. (1984). Intuition, critical evaluation and ethical principles: The foundation for ethical decisions in counseling psychology. Counseling Psychologist, 12(3), 43-55. Neuer, A., Michel, R., Davis, J., & Slaughter, J. (2011). Doctoral student ethical scenario: The case of Callie. Retrieved from http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas11/Article_36.pdf.
Ethics and counseling. Counseling & Human Development, 13(1), 1-12. ASGW (2007) Best Practice Guidelines.
Professional counselors are confronted with ethical decision making on a regular day-to-day basis. This could be both nerve-racking and challenging. In order for a counselor to face these ethical decisions, it is important for them to have guidelines in place for when an ethical or legal situation occurs. The first step is to recognize there is an ethical dilemma, once this is recognized the process to resolve it can be started (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2008).
McNeel, S. (1994). College teaching and student moral development. In J. Rest, & D. Narvaez (Eds.), Moral development in the professions: Psychology and applied ethics (pp. 27-49). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Huey, W. C. (1986). Ethical Concerns in School Counseling. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 64(5), 321.
Counselors are faced with many ethical dilemmas that require the counselor to make decisions that are in the best interest of the student. It is important for counselors to use an ethical decision-making model so that consistency is brought to the process of making ethical decisions (Remley & Herlihy, 2014).
The Kitchener Critical Evaluation Model came about in the 1980’s and is considered the building block for other models. This model believed there was a need to deeper the understanding of ethics beyond a counselor’s moral judgment (Cottone & Claus, 2000). Kitchener created five principles for counselors to follow that create a guide for what is ethically expected. The first principle is autonomy, which is given to the client for them to find their freedom. The second principle is beneficence, which is the counselor’s duty to seek out the good. The third principle is nonmaleficence, which is the counselor’s responsibility to do no harm to the client. The fourth principle is justice, which is counselors dedicating fairness to clients. The final principle is fidelity, where counselors are loyal to their clients (Herlihy & Corey, 2015). Kitchener viewed right and wrong on a critical evaluation level. Depending upon each situation there is
So your opinions on the topic may or may not help out the situation and also in some unfortunate cases can send the client into a ‘downward spiral’. By expressing your ethical issues on the topic to your client you may trigger unwanted emotions. These unwanted emotions can drive the client to hurt themselves or even make the client take legal actions towards the counselor. Ways to prevent this from happening is learning your own self-control and what your limits are when its comes to dealing the client. “You want to consider the best action that will protect your client’s needs, but you also want to ask yourself: What is the best action to protect the profession and myself? (Berton, J. D. (2014). Make the Rule to Break the Rule: Setting Your Ethical Standards. Counselor: The Magazine For Addiction Professionals, 15(5), 10-12
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...
Ethics is important for both group and individual counseling, especially group counseling. Both are beneficial; however, group counseling allows a counselor to work with a small-to-medium size group of people who share similar struggles. Members have the ability to learn from one another. Ethics in group counseling is crucial because the counselor or group leader is not only responsible for one person’s personal struggles, but the struggles of multiple people within the group. Counselors and group leaders must emphasize confidentiality in group counseling sessions, unless what a person is sharing is a danger to themselves or others, or against the law. Group counseling has many positives; however, it is important
It is essential for workers in health and social services to apply critical thinking skills in decision making. In particular, social workers have to make decisions on daily basis (Dolgoff, Harrington, & Loewenberg, 2012). Often, choices that confront social workers all contain positive and negative features, and it is upon one to weight and assess the known options and outcomes prior to choosing the one that is seemingly most ethical (Chase, 2015). The case of Jordan Knight, the counsellor, and Bruce Bane, his client, provides an example of case where making ethical judgements would raise interest in practice. Deeper insights into the practical and philosophical elements of a decision is crucial to promote ethical behaviors in
Counselors should make sure to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of clients, and this is maintained by subordinates, including employees. Counselors discuss confidential information only in settings in which they can reasonably ensure client privacy. Counselors protect the confidentiality
Ethics in the counselling and psychotherapy protects the client and the therapist involved in the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process as a whole; with the concepts that act as a guide for the therapists in provision of good practice and care for the client. The framework is built on values of counselling and psychotherapy; principles of trustworthiness, autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence and self-respect, and provides standards of good practice and care for the practitioner (BACP, 2010). Ethical framework contributes to the development of the therapeutic relationship and process by assisting therapist’s decisions, and guides their behaviour and proceedings within their legal rights and duties. The ethical frame is structured on the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship and the therapists should be aware of their categories and be responsible for their forms. Monitoring and being aware of what goes on in and out of the room physically, emotionally and psychologically is primarily the duty of the therapist.
An ethical dilemma is only examined in a situation which has the following conditions; the first condition takes place in a situation, when an individual has to make a decision on which course of action is best. The second condition is there must be more than one course of action to choose from. The third action is no matter what course of action is taken, certain ethical principles are conceded. In other terms, there is no perfect result. When defining what forms an ethical dilemma, it is important to make a division between ethics, morals, values, laws and policies.
This paper will explore the concept of dual relationships between counselors and clients and the ethical implications of such relationships. In addition to presenting several examples of dual relationships, this paper will also explore how ethical decisions must be made to avoid potentially harmful or exploitive relationships in therapy as well understanding how different interactions between counselor and clients can be understood from an ethical standpoint, as well as how reviewing these ethical dilemmas may shape my future career as a counselor.
Everyone in this world has experienced an ethical dilemma in different situations and this may arise between one or more individuals. Ethical dilemma is a situation where people have to make complex decisions and are influenced based on personal interests, social environment or norms, and religious beliefs (“Strategic Leadership”, n.d.). Leaders and managers in the company should set guidelines to ensure employees are aware and have a better chance to solve and make ethical decisions. Employees are also responsible for understanding their ethical obligations in order to maintain a positive work environment. The purpose of this case study is to identify the dilemma and analyze different decisions to find ways on how a person should act ethically when left with an ethical dilemma.