• Explain the significance of confidentiality in ethical psychological practice, as it applies to the case above.
The case scenario demonstrates different areas of confidentiality that should be identified in regards of the case of Zora. The counselor felt conflicted about her own beliefs and wanted to gain some advice from her supervisor which conflicted about providing some confidential information to Zora’s parents who are close friends. There are a couple of issues in the scenario, the multiple roles of the supervisor, protecting the confidential rights of Zora and ethical practices. When cases are communicated in group are individual supervision where identifiable information should be adequately disguised so information is unlikely
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When the counselor’s supervisor became aware of Zora becoming a client she should have directed the counselor to gain supervisor from another supervisor in regards of the case due to possible impaired judgment and confidentiality. According to (APA, 2010) “A psychologist refrains from entering into a multiple relationship if the multiple relationship could reasonably be expected to impair the psychologist’s objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing his or her functions as a psychologist, or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the person with whom the professional relationship exists.”
According to (APA, 2010) Standard 4.05, Disclosures; psychologist cooperate with other professionals in order to serve their clients/patients effectively and appropriately. The Standard 5.02, Maintain Confidentiality states that “Psychologist have primary obligation and take reasonable precautions to respect the confidentiality right of those with whom they work or consult” (APA,
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Its psychologist responsibility to legally uphold ethical sounds practices, which would include to avoid breaches of confidentiality. It’s important to maintain and establish protective policies and procedures (Fisher, 2008)
• Explain how your feelings, beliefs, attitudes, and cultural perspectives might influence how you conceptualize this case.
Zora being identified as an individual that is multi-ethnic who is engaging in reckless behaviors to include substance abuse and having sex with older males. Zora has recently become pregnant who is deciding to choose w if she wants to have an abortion, adoption or keep the child. I am a multi-ethnic female who is Christian where my beliefs may persuade the direction of providing therapies for Zora. I have negative feelings in regards of abusing substances and having sex with older males, and it’s important that I recognize these feelings due to they could possibly be a hindrance with me being able to help Zora. Being a Christian its important in my beliefs that abortion is not an option due to God provides life, and we should not murder it goes against the ten commandments. Also having sexual relationships are supposed to only take place after
Mumford would be called to a meeting after the board of directors and I had met initially to discuss the unethical practice that he been performing. Although it appeared to all that the patients that he counselled or diagnosed became healthier in their actions but the facts remain that he did not follow any ethical standards for psychologists. During the board meeting, we would discuss the competence and responsibility of the professional ethics guideline on Mumford. “It is hoped that these guidelines will be of assistance when human service professionals and educators are challenged by difficult ethical dilemmas” (Woodside and McClam, 2011, p. 276). After the board members reached a mutual agreement, the meeting with Mumford would begin. In the meeting with Mumford, the board of directors would discuss his unethical act of practicing psychology without a license. According to our textbook, “psychologists provide services, teach, and conduct research with populations and in areas only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study or professional experience” (Woodside, 2011, p. 276). Although Mumford attended college, he did not have enough credentials to hold a position as a psychologist. Concluding the meeting with Mumford and the board of directors, with lack of training and no license to
The expectation in the practitioner/client relationship is that any information disclosed will not be shared with others. Confidentiality is emphasized to provide the client with a safe haven in which to share traumatic events or embarrassing personal information about themselves (Krase, 2013). Disclosing this type of sensitive information...
The advice you give to your friend is based upon your role as a mental health professional. Each mental health professional has a set of guidelines they must follow. Some guidelines overlap each other, while others remain stand-alone. Yet, sometimes an ethical issue is simply not predictable. Nonetheless, given the ethical principles of psychologists, if you decide to give advice to your friend, please advise them of conflict of interest, dual relationships and boundary violations.
Moreover, ethical issues are ubiquitous within the field of social work. As such, social workers employed in all facets of the profession, whether it is substance abuse, mental health, among many others encounter ethical issues common and specific to each area. According to the article “Ethical Issues in Addiction Counseling” by Cynthia G. Scott (2000), prominent ethical situations specific to the field of substance abuse include, “confidentiality and privileged communication” (p. 213). In her article Scott (2000) discuss the blurred boundaries of confidentiality with regards to group counseling. The author points out the discrepancy in federal confidentiality laws that prevent the practitioner from sharing confidential information disclosed
There is much debate about how psychiatric patients should be cared for and treated. Especially in an in patient setting, many healthcare providers will choose to care for mentally ill patients in their own way. Patients who are mentally ill have restrictions on certain aspects of their care such as access to certain things along with the environment they are in. Although confidentiality is important and should be maintained in all aspects of medical care, I do think that psychiatric patients should have the same have the opportunity to keep as much information confidential as they wish. Given the circumstances there are reasons to breach that confidentiality in mentally ill patients in order to keep the patient safe and out of harms way.
Over the course of their therapeutic relationship, Dr. Davenport violates client confidentiality as it is described by the American Counseling
APA Codes of Ethics 3.05a states that a psychologist refrains from entering into a multiple relationship if the multiple relationships could reasonably be expected to impair the psychologist’s objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing his or her functions as a psychologist, or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the person with whom the professional relationship exists (APA). This ethical code suggests that psychologist should not form multiple relationships with their client if it would hinder the job performance of the psychologist or harm the client. Ethical Code 3.05a improves the profession by helping limit the harm that can be expected when confidential information has been shared be...
.... Also following a guideline pointed by Saddler (1986 -retrive from Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T., 1996) counselors should apply the three test in their practice. The test of justice which determines if you would treat others the same in this situation, the publicity test, if you would want your behavior to be known and reported to the public, and the test of universality to ask yourself if you would administer the same action to another counselor in the same situation. With that in mind the professional has to believe that after all of this is achieved the professional is capable to perform the career with an outstanding background and knowledge on how and when to act and perform the social and personal changes that relies on the profession and always having in mind what is more beneficial to the patient in resolving and responding to their ethical conflicts.
Ethical issues in psychology became increasingly important in the last part of twentieth century and are now firmly established as a significant part of modern psychology. They do not only feature as an area of study, but all psychological research is increasingly under scrutiny regarding its ethical implications. Studies which were previously considered as acceptable are no longer regarded to be so. Unethical psychological research from the past century as well as the development of newer ethical principles about the Australian psychological society, have impacted on changes in social and cultural values that discarded them from being acceptable. Therefore, the evolution of ethical principles and practice in psychology reflects changes in
...m with an understandable statement of their rights, privileges, and the limitations of confidentiality (Committee on Ethical Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists, 1991).”
Corbin, J. (n.d.). Confidentiality & the duty to warn: ethical and legal implications for the
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).
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...
The therapist profession requires, for its regular exercise, a minimum of confidence on the part of civil society whose service is exercised. Who comes to a professional is the need to reveal aspects of his personal life that are intimate, and as such should not be disclosed to the public.
Koocher, G.P., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2008). Ethics in psychology and the mental health professions. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.