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). While working with Ana, she disclosed that her father had gotten extremely mad at her for getting a bad grade on her last math test; he hit her across the face, grabbed her arm, and yanked Ana to her room. Ana felt that she deserved it because it was her fault that she did not ask her teacher for extra time on her test. This disclosure brings about an ethical dilemma for the counselor of reporting the abuse or not reporting the abuse. …show more content…
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 …show more content…
Gaining consultation from appropriate sources could help the counselor gain knowledge that would support the decision-making process. However, it should also be noted that the counselor must protect the student’s confidentiality, yet, some information would need to be shared with consultants. Thus, the counselor would only provide information relevant to each consultant, standard C.2.e (ASCA 2010; Davis, 2015). Next, the counselor would record the needed information in order to make an ethical decision (Luke, Goodrich, & Gilbride, 2013). The counselor would write down the Japanese family experts information that was provided, write down all the applicable ethical codes, the school policies, and state laws. Next, the counselor would analyze the information from the previous step with the student’s CRW factors and list the CRW factors that support or conflict with the proposed action and associate the decision with ethical standards (Luke, Goodrich, & Gilbride, 2013). For instance, the counselor would list that breaching confidentiality to child welfare services would be ethically supported in this situation by school policy and ACA (2014) ethical standard B.2.a,
Ethics and counseling. Counseling & Human Development, 13(1), 1-12. ASGW (2007) Best Practice Guidelines.
Understanding the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) ethical codes is an important aspect of developing one’s professional identity as a mental health counselor. More specifically, in order for a counselor to be professionally competent and ensure he/she is able to uphold ethical boundaries, it is essential that one becomes familiar with the codes. Furthermore, both ethical codes share a multitude of similarities as well as differences, including that the AMHCA code of ethics profoundly draws from the ACA code of ethics. However, it is important to note that the AMHCA code presents ethical criteria geared specifically towards mental health counselors whereas the ACA code
Huey, W. C. (1986). Ethical Concerns in School Counseling. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 64(5), 321.
After watching this movie, I believe I would have had the greatest empathic difficulty with the mother (Beth) if I were the counselor to this family. Beth presents as distant and withdrawn from her remaining family members as well as from her emotional self. Instead of acknowledging the death of her son, Beth appears to act as if the event never occurred. While I recognize and understand this is her way of coping, it is hard for me to connect empathically because of the emotional distance she has created. Additionally, Beth’s way of coping appears to be neglectful in that she seems to ignore the grieving needs of her living son and husband. To me, this action makes me believe Beth is selfish and does not care for the needs of others.
The ASCA reminds school counselors that they are to guide and assist students who are victims by supplying appropriate services (ASCA, 2016). When abuse is suspected, a guidance counselor must personally report the abuse to child protective services (CPS). Cuff vs. Grossmont Union High School District reminds us how vital it is to follow all reporting procedures. In the state of Virginia, teachers, and those working in public and private schools, are mandated reporters and must report within 24 hours of the suspected neglect or abuse; even if the abuse occurred in the past (DSS.VA.GOV). Failure to report will result in criminal actions. Although school counselors are held to confidentiality terms, cases such as these warrant a duty to warn and an ethical obligation to protect. The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) state that as Christian counselors, one should always disclose confidential information when a life is endangered, this includes events such as suicidal ideations, bullying, and abuse (AACC, 2014). Although the ASCA and the AACC provides guidance to crisis responses, there are still legal and ethical issues that may not be
The Oxford dictionary defines an ethical dilemma as “a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two courses of action, either of which entails transgressing a moral principle.” It is not uncommon to face such predicaments in the workplace but few occupations present more ethical dilemmas than that of a school counselor. Although jobs in counseling and social work often present ethical dilemmas, having to maintain confidentiality, share information with parents and bypass consent all while maintaining an honest relationship with the student seems almost impossible to accomplish. Deciding whether or not to breach confidentiality in order to help a minor student can seem like an unnerving task. Essentially, the final decision
In 2005, the American Counseling Association (ACA) published a document titled the ACA Code of Ethics which was designed to aid counselors in the ethical decision making process and, in response, “expand the capacity of people to grow and develop” (p. 3). The ACA Code of Ethics provides regulatory guidelines for all counselors to follow in ethical decision-making and practice. Of a more specific nature, the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) has also published a document stating the ethical practices and procedures for the Christian counseling field. The two documents contain many similarities, but, due to differing goals and principals, also containing may differences. This paper compares these two documents and more specifically focuses on the similarities and differences in the areas of confidentiality, fees, and records.
So, over all, this helps you get a better understanding that ethical dilemmas happen for all people, in all walks of life, in many different situations. It shows us we must pay attention to our actions and the actions of others around us. As long as we follow the rules, and ask for a little direction when we don’t know what to do, we will all be better off in our careers as helpers.
Since ethical dilemmas are not always easily answered through the use of The Code of Ethics, ethical decision-making models are effective tools that can assist nurses in dealing with ethical issues. Ethical decision-making models provide a framework for working through difficult choices. They seek to define the limits of what is morally acceptable and help clarify the guidelines for making those difficult decisions. Ethical decision making models assist nurses in analyzing situations by focusing on understanding the patient needs, need for responsiveness to circumstantial considerations, and recognizing the uniqueness of each situation.
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.
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
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...
This week’s readings cover clinical supervision. Although the school psychology ethics and laws usually go hand in hand, it is important to understand that they are not that same concept. Some of the major themes that clinical supervisors need to keep in mind are: due process, informed consent, dual relationships, competence, confidentially, marketplace issues, and the supervisee’s perspective. Furthermore, some of the legal ramifications for clinical supervisors include: malpractice, direct liability, and vicarious liability. Clinical supervisors play a major role in school psychology, thus they get involved in the ethical standards often. The best way to go about this process is to stay up-to-date on the legal
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.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2003. Ethical Practice & Client Rights. [online] Available at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/management/ethical/ [Accessed: 26 Nov 2013].