Using the Ethical Principles of the American Counseling Association Operating within the bounds of the principles asserted by the American Counseling Association (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2010) is a moral and ethical mandated for all counselors. Implementing the principles of, autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity can stimulate the creation of a healing environment wherein clients feel safe to explore the benefits of a therapeutic relationship (ACA, 2010). Often times, clients are unconsciously viewed and deemed vulnerable based on the severity of the circumstances that initiate the need for counseling. This hierarchy, founded by the assumption of weakness, is a flawed concept that counselors and administrative staff routinely employ. Clients learning to contend with domestic violence, chemical dependency, and anger management are just as vulnerable as clients combating depression, grief and loss, and extreme anxiety. All clients are vulnerable regardless of the circumstances that prod them to seek counseling services. For some clients, the very act of seeking counseling is a very exposing and powerless experience. Some clients may become defensive while others may become withdrawn; yet, both are attempts to cover and protect in an unsure situation. Having a working knowledge and understanding of this concept, I will use fidelity in the administration of my interactions with my clients (ACA, 2010). I will cautiously examine all commitments prior to coming into a therapeutic agreement with my clients (ACA, 2010). An example of this would be to thoroughly review, to the client's level of understanding, payment and fee schedules as well as counseling goals and treatment objective... ... middle of paper ... ...lth services without being monitored by a physician . Having said that, it is beneficial and an ethical requirement for mental health counselors to seek and submit to consultation and collaboration with colleagues and physicians for the good of the client (ACA, 2010). The ACA (2010) provides ethical guidance for a variety of areas e.g., standards of conduct and behavior between counselor and client, intern training, supervisor responsibility, confidentiality, etc. The AMHCA echo the ethical guidelines, continuing education practices, and legislative initiatives of the ACA (ACA, 2010; AMHCA, 2010). In addition, the AMHCA includes professional liability insurance for students and access to a quarterly professional journal in their membership fee (AMHCA, 2010). NAADAC is the global leader in addictions education, treatment, prevention, and recovery.
Wendel, Peter Counselors in Recovery find answers to ethical dilemmas. Counseling Today. May 1997: 28 pars Online: Available http://www.conseling.org/ctonline/archives/recovery.htm
Moreover, both codes strive to promote the wellness, autonomy, and right to justice for individuals utilizing services. A further similarity between the two codes includes standards on sexual and/or romantic relationships with former clients, such as a counselor is prohibited from engaging in a sexual and/or romantic relationship with a former client for a minimum of 5 years after the last known professional encounter (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, p. 5; AMHCA Code of Ethics, 2010, p. 4). Although engaging in a sexual and/or romantic relationshup with a former client may seem unlikely, this distinction and timeframe might be valuable to some individuals throughout their career. Furthermore, both ethical codes agree that when a counselor counsels multiple clients, such as individuals in a relationship, the counselor must clearly deliniate the roles within the theraputic dynamic and adjust and/or terminate the dynamic if the roles become unclear at any point (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, p. 6; AMHCA Code of Ethics, 2010, p. 5). This is important to note due to the fact that the issue of multiple relationships in a therapeutic setting occurs frequently. In respect to termination, both ethical codes state that a counselor does not abandon or neglect a client, but rather make appropriate refferals as needed (ACA Code of
As stated by Collins (2007), the privacy and openness to discuss intimate issues can stimulate vulnerability with the client. Another ethical issue with this theory can be a growing dependence with the counselor. An additional ethical issue with this therapy is for the client to know his or her vulnerability regarding emotional or sexual needs when it comes to counseling a client (Corey, 2007). An additional ethical issue for the Individual Psychology therapy is that there may be some confusion as times to what is to happen in the counseling
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.
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...
Every client is unique, and regardless of the theoretical approach, I believe that the therapeutic relationship between client and counselor is critical.
For clients who express their experiences for the first time in counseling, it can be a powerful force to help them heal. It is important for the counselor to pay close attention to the person’s body language, affect and tone. The counselor must consider the possible scenarios that may occur in the first session. Cultural aspects of the client must be considered. From the client’s perspective, the first session is an important session, even if the first session is mostly an information gathering session. The client may have experiences much trauma in their life, never being able to trust a person with their closest feelings. This is why it is very important to establish rapport and trust in...
This model identifies five moral principles which are: justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and fidelity. These fundamental guidelines are used to clarify issues that involve any given situation. Ethical guidelines may not address all situations, but will allow a counselor to explore ethical dilemmas and conflicting issues. Counselors are responsible to encourage clients to make their own appropriate decisions and to act on their own values. Two important things to consider when counseling client are: autonomous encouragement helps clients understand how their decisions and values that may or may not receive within the context of the society; they live in or may impinge on the rights of others (Kitchener,
The concept of non-maleficence extends from the principle of beneficence, which is upheld by not inflicting intentional harm (e.g. torture, degrading or inhuman behaviour) on client and taking precautions to prevent unintentional harm by avoiding risky behaviours (ACA, A.4.a. Avoiding Harm). This can primarily be assured by maintaining competence and practising within boundaries of education, training and supervised experience. Intellectual competencies attained through study and research for instance, ensures proper conceptualizing of issues and planning of treatment, thereby preventing misdiagnosis. Emotional competencies also encompass another aspect wherein counsellor knows oneself, and is willing and skilful in objectively detecting influential elements in client’s issues and intrusion of personal bias and also able to contain emerging emotional issues in self through self-therapy without which therapeutic
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.
Working with clients can present a diverse collection of ethical issues. However when you are a rehabilitation counselor working with clients the ethical issues could be immensely challenging when you are trying your best to assist the client. In this specific can based on a client named Bill there are several ethical issues are prominent throughout, however it is clear that several of ethical issues do conflict with each other. In addition, in knowing that that is several of ethical issues do conflict with each other the way to handle the situation with Bill can be extremely daunting nonetheless it can be handled in a simplistic manner. Furthermore handling this client will from time to time need use life experiences instead of using the CRCC
When considering an uncommon reason of why a counseling relationship might end, one rarity that comes to mind is endangerment. Although most counselors seldomly encounter danger in therapy, certain tumultuous or threatening scenarios may lead them into jeopardy, especially when a client is unstable. In this regard, a counselor possesses the right, as well as an ethical obligation, to instantly terminate the relationship and refer the client to an appropriate resource. Con...
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
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...
All of the aforementioned ethical issues presented in this paper can be associated to the nature and sensitivity of the professional practice. However, what kind of ethical issue can emerge in a counseling group that is interrelated to a diversity factor that consist of a significant component of identity for many clients? (Cornish, Wade, Tucker and Post, 2014, p. 578). The answer to the aforesaid question is religion or spirituality. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to religion/spirituality benefits in the framework of group counseling, particularly process-oriented, no- themed groups with diverse participation (Cornish et al., 2014, p. 578).