Informed Consent
A legal and ethical document in which clinicians inform and educate their clients of the nature of their therapeutic relationship and the anticipated course of treatment. An Informed Consent notifies clients of their rights and responsibilities as a participating partner in their therapeutic process, fee obligations, third parties involvement, and limits of confidentiality. It is important for clinicians to stipulate the following within such document: all “potential risks that can occur; any alternative treatments that may be available; and the voluntary nature of their clients’ participation” (Corey, Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2015, p. 152) within the therapeutic process. It is also feasible for clinicians to present this document before any assessment is performed to allow potential clients to determine whether or not they are willing to go forth with said process or treatment.
When entering into counseling relationship with clients, clinicians have rights to protect their clients as well as their selves from any an ethical or legal violations when it comes to client / therapist professional obligations and relationship. Therefore, it should be counselors’ sense of duty “to review in writing and verbally with clients
…show more content…
For example, the case of Nicole Brown Simpson: After the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, a clinical social worker was barred from practicing seeing patients for three months and placed on three years’ probation after making an unsolicited disclosures regarding her deceased former client. In 1992, Susan J. Forward had a therapeutic relationship with Ms. Simpson and commented in public that Ms. Simpson had allegedly reported experienced abuse at the hands of O.J.
For Example if confidentiality is the dilemma The NAADAC Code of Ethics states that” Every effort is made to protect the confidentiality of client information, and in very specific cases or situations to disclose information appropriately and according to federal law”(NAADAC, 2011, para. 5). In as much According to ACA Code of Ethics counselors are required to violate confidentiality only “to protect clients or identified others from serious and foreseeable harm or when legal requirements demand that confidential information must be revealed” (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2005). Therefore, since trust is one of the most important aspects of a counselor client relationship a counselor must be certain if confidentiality is the ethical dilemma being presented, there should be clear-cut reasons for the information to be disclosed. If a counselor is educated with the proper laws and the relevant Code of ethics pertinent to there field of study they can validate their decision to supervisor, clients, and even legal entity’s if
ACA Section C on professional responsibility informs counselors that their mission should be to promote changes in their clients’ lives, to in all improve their quality of life. However, through each process a counselor should not harm a client more than they were in the beginning. AAMFT does not speak on the duty of not harming the clients specifically. The AAMFT code of ethics Standard I Responsibility to clients does include sections on sexual intimacy with current or former clients, abuse of therapeutic relationships, and how it is prohibited, similarly to ACA section A.5.a. – A.5.c. AAMFT (2015 1.9) states that Marriage and family therapist continue therapeutic relationships only so long as it is reasonably clear that clients are benefiting from the relationship. The process of counseling involves intervening, reaching goals, or making changes, if a counselor is no longer fostering a positive and healthy relationship with the client then the relationship should be ended. f the counselor is no longer motivating their client or there is a lack initiative a counselor may refer their client to another appropriate therapeutic service. Comparably ACA and AAMFT both have an obligation to not abandon or neglect their clients. AAMFT 1.11 and ACA (2015 A.12) both states that counselors assist in making appropriate arrangements for the continuation of treatment for those
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
Finally, it may be valuable for some clients to have Suzie’s phone number; however, she should use discretion when providing it. Suzie’s personal therapy style, including providing her phone number, may promote client dependency (Roth & Worthington, 2011, 361). Moreover, it is not Suzie’s responsibility to solve the client’s issues (Roth & Worthington, 2011, 361). If a client has Suzie’s phone number, he or she may be tempted to call when problems arise. Roth & Worthington (2011) assert: “The clinician’s role is to assist clients in assuming responsibility for their own behavior and decisions” (p. 365). In conclusion, proper boundaries play a crucial role in maintaining an appropriate client/clinician relationship (Roth & Worthington, 2011, 361).
Chemical dependency counseling involves direct interactions with the clients and as such standards need to be set which will promote safe and accountable counseling. Chemical dependency counseling has a set code of ethics, guidelines and regulations that seek to safeguard the interests of everybody involved. Laws and ethics ensure that everyone acts in a way that does not cause harm to others. Laws and ethics also help to give the profession its credibility. The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (2014) gives provisions on the conduct of counselors as stipulated by the law. Chapter 135-7-01 provides the various responsibilities of counselors to their clients. Every counselor has a responsibility to their clients. It is their primary duty to promote the welfare of their clients and meet the client’s best interests.
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)
Informed consent has been preserved as a sacred value since medicine started caring for the sick and it is still upheld today as a critical component of clinical research. Ensuring voluntary participation through an informed decision-making process in clinical research continues to be an ethical and moral obligation of the study team, quite often the study nurses. Over time these forms have reached a degree of unreasonableness; exceeding twenty pages, being too complex, and readability that exceeds the targeted populations. A deluge of literature over the past decade reaffirms and begs for change. In 2011, the federal government agency, Office of Human Research Protections, has responded by publishing and receiving comments on an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule-Making (ANPRM); however, there has been no further public information of action. This brief aims to provide an overview of the issues, background, as well as several possible ways to lobby for action.
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...
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.
...confidential information is shared without their permission, this situation can be detrimental to the client. The client may stop treatment or be passive-aggressive towards the therapist by being late of cancelling appointments with the clinician.
As a result if these ethics codes are not followed, legal action can be brought up against this counselor. Committing to clients is the first code of ethics which includes: “Primary Responsibility, Confidentiality, Dual/multiple relationships, Exploitive relationships, and counseling environments. “ Mental health counselors value objectivity and integrity in their commitment to understanding human behavior and they maintain the highest standards in providing mental health counseling services” ( https://amhca.site-ym.com/page/codeofethics). Establishing a relationship with the client opens up the floor in which she or he will be honest. S/he will be comfortable with speaking about the problem. The honesty of the client gives the counselor an ideal start of how the problem began. Under Ethic code C Assessment and diagnosis: Competent “Mental health counselors employ only
The counselor’s objective is to identify the problem of the client and plan out the method of helping the client overcome the problem. The most rewarding part of being a counselor is the ability to make a difference in people’s lives. In private practice, there is a constant push to become more skilled at helping so that clients will refer others to you for help. It is also important to follow up with the client about their well-being even after treatment has ended to ensure that they are still living a healthy and stress-free life. The client must make time for all scheduled sessions with the counselor for best results of treatment. If we don’t express our feelings during counseling sessions, the hurt and frustration behind the situation will build up, and once the client releases, it may trigger other situations and bring on severe mental health
There are few circumstances counselors have to oblige when dealing issues from clients. Counselors have to be trustworthy; this is a fundamental to understanding and solving issues. Counselors have to keep information gathered confidential and restrict any disclosure of information to anybody. Clients voluntarily seek help to counselors for therapy or any kind of help they need. Hence as a counselor it is important to respect their clients’ self-government and ensure precision in information given. Commitment of a counselor plays a big role in a therapy. It is not ethical for a counselor to neglect a client such that the client’s well being is not taken care of. It is also important for counselors to have a fair treatment with all their clients. No matter how each client will be, there must not be any form of judgment, which will cause any form of unfair
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.