Aca Code Of Ethics Case Study

1. What are the positive and negative aspects of having a Facebook presence? (Be sure to address any ethical challenges that this may present.)

One of the positives is that possibly the client would feel like they are becoming more acquainted with you and the more they get to know you then the more that they might trust you.

I think that there would be an ethical issue when utilizing Facebook or other online networking. In section B.5.c. of the ACA Code of Ethics under Release of Confidential Information. ”When counseling minor clients or adult clients who lack the capacity to give voluntary consent to release confidential information, counselors seek permission from an appropriate third party to disclose information. In such instances, counselors inform clients consistent with their level of understanding and take culturally appropriate measures

to safeguard client confidentiality.”
Some clients might not have the understanding that posting or writing something on the clinicians, social media account may be a breach of their own confidentiality or not, have the ability to completely comprehend what they may be posting or commenting may be inappropriate. The comment might be something that should have been discussed in a treatment session. I would think that it would be best for all the parties included not to have any contact with each other through social media.

2.

What are the positive and negative aspects of using email and/or video conferencing tools to interact with clients?

One of the beneficial effects would be possibly a client is ready to enter into a crisis mode and video chatting would be able to bring the client back down a lot quicker than having to drive to the office and then waiting for the clinician to see them.

In the Introduction of section B it states, “Counselors recognize that trust is a cornerstone of the counseling relationship. Counselors aspire to earn the trust of clients by creating an ongoing partnership, establishing and upholding appropriate boundaries, and maintaining confidentiality. Counselors communicate the parameters of confidentiality in a culturally competent manner.”

We need to be able to get our clients to trust us. I would imagine that it would break the clients’ trust in the event we were sitting having a session on video chat and my daughter strolled into the room. It would make the client feel that his privacy had been violated. All trust issues might now be severed and you may never have the capacity to repair that trust

issue.

3. Reflect on what you learned from the "To Friend or not to Friend" article. Explain how it supports or modifies your answer to the previous questions in this quiz.
I learned that even though we are only a counselor at work people tend to think of us counselors all the time. We must be watchful of what we post because nearly 20 percent of the world's population uses Facebook and we never know who may share something about us on their page. There is a fine ethical line when using social media for outside office talks that the code of ethics does not address. I would think that in future editions it will need to be defined what is ethical and what is not. Until then we have to use our own caution in keeping the clinician, client relationship separate. We should compose our own policies for the use of social media. I think that it is best to err on the side of caution and keep the client/counselor roles separate as possible because that is what would be best to keep the clients’ information confidential. 12.c. Inappropriate Services, “When technology-assisted distance counseling services are deemed inappropriate by the counselor or client, counselors consider delivering services face to face.”