There will be times when we, as counselors, face the challenge that is an ethical dilemma. When deciding how to manage these types of situations, there are ethical, legal and moral considerations. The American Counseling Association has established the ethical guidelines for counselors. The legal obligations counselors must adhere to are established by the federal government and state legislation. Moral principles that counselors reflect upon being autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity and veracity (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). The balancing act of these three elements is essential in the ethical decision making process. The following case study presents the ethical dilemma surrounding Gentry, a sixteen year old, female client, who has come to counseling and disclosed that she is pregnant and is unsure of what to do next (tell her parents, have an abortion, have the child, etc.). For the purpose of this dilemma, since it is not otherwise specified, it is assumed that the client has sought my services at a private …show more content…
First, breach confidentiality, and fully disclose the nature of Gentry’s situation. Second, breach confidentiality if pressed by the mother, but only minimal disclose that Gentry is not in imminent danger and that there is an issue Gentry is being assisted with. Then explain to Gentry that, due to her label as a minor and Tennessee legislation, she will be unable to hide her pregnancy from her family. I would assist Gentry in determining how she might disclose her pregnancy to her mother. Finally, refuse the mother completely and maintain Gentry’s confidentiality until she is in physical danger. I would consider seeking an illegal abortion (no parental consent) physical danger because a physician who is willing to perform an abortion without parental consent is, in my opinion, unconcern with the physical well-being of my client in a surgical procedure, and is, therefore, a
Ethics and counseling. Counseling & Human Development, 13(1), 1-12. ASGW (2007) Best Practice Guidelines.
It is important as a professional health care provider to have guidelines, regulations, and ethical standards to obey when providing care to the public. The ACA is to improve the quality of professional counselors in the community with education, knowledge, and guidelines by providing an ACA Code of Ethics standard when delivering treatment toward a clientele (American Counseling Association, 2015). One particular part of the ACA mission that is essential, is the ACA Code of Ethics. The purpose of the ACA Code of Ethics is a guide to ensure counselors in training and professional counselors understand the ethical obligations toward clients, possible grievances for conduct unbecoming, and professional responsibilities, which supports the ACA
Huey, W. C. (1986). Ethical Concerns in School Counseling. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 64(5), 321.
American Counseling Association (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. - See more at: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics#sthash.13ImD8Lb.dpuf
Making the appropriate referrals in to equip her for support as a social worker I would assist her with connecting Jalisa with a mental health counselor with experiecience in trauma and trying to make her understand of the unhealthy relationship that she is in. I would refer her to WIC programs, MOMS, parenting programs to assist her in responsibilities of becoming expectations of becoming a parent. Keeping in mind what the client has is very important. In this case Jalisa’s wants an abortion education her of the pros and cons of her decisions. It is always for the client to decide what she wants. Social worker duties are to guide individuals not to tell them what to
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.
Welfel, E. R. (2013/2010). Ethics in counseling & psychotherapy (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
The Ethical Decision Making Model is an ethical guideline that is useful in ethical dilemmas and what course of action to take. It’s a framework that allows professionals to analyze and make ethical decisions to the best of their ability. It gives counselors a protocol to determine the appropriate course of action when faced difficult challenge. These decisions are taking into account; reflect a concern for the interests and the well-being of all clients concerns. Counselors should keep in mind the Golden Rule: “Do onto others as you would want onto you”.
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...
The topic of this paper focuses on the battles school counselors face as the law and ethical standards collide. School counselors face a number of legal and ethical issues and recognizing a clear decision isn’t always easy. School counselors have to work with a large number of students, parents, and administrators while conforming to ethical codes, state laws, and school board guidelines. This topic is of great relevance to me as I will be going into the school counseling profession. It is also a meaningful topic to me because life-changing decisions are made every day in reference to legal and ethical issues. Researching this topic has shed some light on the difficulty for school counselors to fulfill both legal and ethical requirements. The main reason for this is that laws and ethical codes may sometimes provide differing and contradictory messages regarding the same subject. This can lead to legal ramifications, even while following ethical norms as we will look at in the example case of Woodlock v. Orange Ulster B.O.C.E.S. (2006/2008).
The ACA code of ethics “reflects the counseling profession’s understanding of changes in the role of the professional or changes in the society counselors serve” (Ponton & Duba, 2009, p. 119). The ACA code of ethics discusses many things counselors need to keep in mind when counseling an individual or a group. Some topics addressed are informed consent, confidentiality, and group work (ACA code of ethics, 2006, pp. 236-238). All three of these topics are all issues counselors will encounter in counseling a group or an individual.
“Almost half of all pregnancies among American women are unintended [and of those pregnancies about] 1.3 billion each year, are ended by abortion.” (Dudley). Most women that receive an abortion are clueless of the type of health risk that are associated with the abortion. According to the American Nurses Associated, “Patients have the moral and legal right to determine what [would] be done with their own person; to be given accurate, complete and understandable information in a manner that facilitates and informed judgement” (Barnes) Meaning, before given treatment the patient must be informed of some of the risks that are involved. They should be given all of the facts related to their situation in order to make an informed decision. Informing the patient of the risks associated with the procedure is done before every operation, or most operations. Women who have abortions are not informed of...
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).
Professional ethical conduct is essential to the success of any client, whether it is in individual counseling or in a group setting. Professional psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers or others in the field of human service or help have the duly responsibility to continuously become aware of their professional responsibilities, and manage their practice based on areas of ability. This paper will research ethics within groups and individual counseling, and compare their similarities and their differences.