1219 Winter, 2014 (third Assignment) Yu Yong Esther Chung (951067880) In order to evaluate the ethical dilemma presented in Mr. Brown’s case, the two ethical principles stated in the Canadian Code of Ethics (2001) for Psychologists will be examined: principle II (responsible for caring) and principle III (integrity in relationships). The main question is whether it would be unethical for the psychologist to barter an agreement allowing the client to pay for the therapy session by painting the psychologist’s house. Should the psychologist develop a business relationship on top of the professional relationship he/she has with the client? If the psychologist goes ahead and barter an agreement Mr. Brown, would this cross the professional boundary? If so, what impact would this have on the psychologist and the client? Boundaries in therapeutic relationships are vital in keeping clients safe and psychologists are cautioned in developing potential dual relationships with their clients as they may pose a conflict of interest. This would, in turn, could damage the integrity in the therapeutic relationship (principle 3) (Canadian Psychological Association, 2001; Hearn, 2011). Furthermore, psychologists are in positions of authority and power and clients are vulnerable and could be susceptible to exploitation. Some argue that once a psychologist crosses a professional boundary, it is a start of a “slippery slope” where this will likely result in further beach of boundaries by the psychologist (Zur & Lazarus, 2002). In this case scenario, there are two alternative actions that the psychologist could take. One would be to turn Mr. Brown’s offer down to paint the psychologist’s house in exchange for therapy in order to prevent the professio... ... middle of paper ... ... that the psychologist openly communicates with Mr. Brown about the situation and try to come up with a way to resolve any complications that arise. Throughout the discussion, the psychologist should maintain accurate record of the discussions, agreed terms of the dual relationships (professional and business), and the rationale for bartering an agreement. If the psychologist feel the need, he could also consult with other professionals regarding this situation. In conclusion, terminating therapy as a result of the client’s inability to pay for the treatment would be unnecessary and harmful to the client. Rigid boundaries could interfere with the psychologist building rapport as he/she will be seen as cold and distant (Zur & Lazarus, 2002). The boundary crossing could be carefully managed so that it does not interfere with the therapeutic goal and relationship.
This case study is an interpretation of a problem or situation that has occurred within a LPC’s (License Professional Counselor) care. As information is gathered, the depiction to this specific problem in this case study may also include additional information that may deem so to be necessary, in order to place possible solutions or actions that could have or will arise from the situation. This document will consist of a step by step analysis of the factors which impact the case, mostly in the order of what appears to be the most ethically sound decision. This document involves Stephanie’s (therapist) treatment of Martha Rose (client). The therapist, Stephanie, has been given a case through referral from an unknown source; Stephanie is working with this new case in SC (South Carolina).
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
According to Guideline 1.06 (a) In many communities and situations, it may not be feasible or reasonable for behavior analysts to avoid social or other non-professional contacts with persons such as clients, students, supervisees, or research participants. Behavior analysts must always be sensitive to the potential harmful effects of other contacts on their work and on those persons with whom they deal (Bailey & Burch, 2011, p. 65) A situation in which a behavior analyst faced the possible development of a dual relationship will be presented, as well as the steps that were taken in an attempt to avoid it. Guideline 1.0 Responsible Conduct of A Behavior Analyst states that the behavior analyst maintains the high standards of professional behavior of the professional organization. In our assigned text, Bailey and Burch specify that you should strive to avoid social contacts with your clients because it might interfere with your objectivity as a behavior analyst (2011) in regard to Guideline 1.06 Dual Relationships and Conflicts of
In the mental health profession of counseling, therapy, psychology, psychiatric and social services ethical dilemmas are faced primarily on a daily basis. Being that mental health professionals are working with clients who are often fragile and vulnerable, they must develop an intense awareness of ethical issues. On the other hand, mental health professionals would never intentionally harm their clients, students or colleagues and others whom they work with. Unfortunately, good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong doings will not occur and mental health professionals have no choice but to make ethically determined decisions. Depending upon the experience and expertise of the professional determines the outcome of the ethical circumstance. For example, if you were practicing mental health professional and had a friend who’s a licensed psychologist, who is invited to attend the wedding of a patient that she has been seeing in court-ordered therapy for a year; what advice would you give your friend?
As this book points out, and what I found interesting, the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, can be even more important than how the therapy sessions are conducted. A therapists needs to be congruent. This is important because a client needs a sense of stability. To know what is expected from him or her while being in this transitional period of change. In some cases this congruency may be the only stability in his life, and without it, there is no way of him trusting in his t...
According to Allison L. Kramer (2016) in her “Why we can’t be friends” article, researches have observed numerous relationships between psychotherapists and their present and/ or previous clients. Boundary issues have been studied in the world of ethics and dual-role relationships with current clients are ordinary for some practitioners in their daily practice. Meaning it isn’t rare to run into dual relationships in counseling. These relationships aren’t always negative nor avoidable states Kramer. The example she used for dual-role relationships being advantageous and unavoidable was a school guidance counselor having multiple roles in the school. The counselor could also be “a coach of a sports team, thus filling both a counselor and
The field of clinical mental health is one of great reward, but also one of grave responsibility. It is the duty of the counselor to provide the client with a safe environment and an open mind, in order to foster a healthy therapeutic relationship. The majority of mental health counselors would never intentionally harm their clients; however; good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong will not occur. The ethical expectations and boundaries are regulated by both laws and professional codes. When discussing ethics, one must realize there are two categories, mandatory and aspirational. (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007)
The Hunger Games was a critically acclaimed movie when it came out; however, some critics would argue that the movie can be sometimes too violent for its intended audience. In this essay I would dissert Brian Bethune’s essay “Dystopia Now” in order to find its weaknesses and compare the movie Battle Royale with his essay.
Over the course of their therapeutic relationship, Dr. Davenport violates client confidentiality as it is described by the American Counseling
Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2011). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. (8th
To conclusion this, ethical issues rising in social work have regularly received substantial attention but responses to them have habitually been premised on the conviction that professional boundaries are clear for all to see and are professionally determined on the basis of separation and passivity as opposed to connection and dynamism. Working together with the client in the setting of professional boundaries is most likely to have a optimistic impact on the quality of the relationships we have with clients itself a vital factor in successful outcomes.
The Code of Conduct for Psychologists seem to be more strict or demanding. When in the position as psychologist or counselor you are responsible for the life of another. Not dealing with a client with standards could destroy the client’s life and the lives surrounding the client. People entrust of with their lives, thoughts, and care.
Dr.Lightfoot ethical alternatives for resolving this case are accepting Allison as a client or declining Allison as a client. The best alternative is to decline Allison as a client but refer her to another psychologist because of the possible dual relationship. Utilitarian theory guided me in my decision.
Each situation discussed in this paper provides opportunities for a counselor to explore how a dual relationship would impact the therapeutic relationship with clients and the overall well being of clients. Each ethical dilemma should be handled individually and with the support of a counselor’s supervisor while also taking into account laws or guidelines set forth by employers as decisions are made. As a new counselor I look forward to this decision making process and the personal growth I will experience and the clients I will benefit as a result of my ethical actions.
In this case, the psychologist is presented with several ethical issues which could cause harm to the client. The first ethical issue that arose in this case is the potential for a role conflict. The psychologist and Mr. Hartwig had contact prior to the development of a therapeutic relationship when the psychologist bought a car from Mr. Hartwig. It may not be enough that the brief, informal relationship ended. The psychologist must assess the dimensions of the previous relationship from the viewpoint of the client as well as his/her own personal feelings (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). For example, the client could feel that he gave the psychologist a good deal and that the psychologist was indebted to him. This could leave the psychologist vulnerable to being manipulated by the client. Or, what if the car broke down? This could leave the psychologist feeling cheated and resulted in hostile feelings toward the client. The psychologist has an ethical responsibility to examine both relationships for role incompatibility prior to forming a therapeutic relationship. The psychologist seemed to be aware that there was the potential role conflict resulting from their initial meeting, and he acted ethically by attempting to refer Mr. Hartwig to a Psychology Registry.