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Ethics integrity and professionalism
Professionalism vs ethics
Ethics integrity and professionalism
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Introduction It is essential for workers in health and social services to apply critical thinking skills in decision making. In particular, social workers have to make decisions on daily basis (Dolgoff, Harrington, & Loewenberg, 2012). Often, choices that confront social workers all contain positive and negative features, and it is upon one to weight and assess the known options and outcomes prior to choosing the one that is seemingly most ethical (Chase, 2015). The case of Jordan Knight, the counsellor, and Bruce Bane, his client, provides an example of case where making ethical judgements would raise interest in practice. Deeper insights into the practical and philosophical elements of a decision is crucial to promote ethical behaviors in …show more content…
The first ethical issue relates to the position that Jordan assumes as the counsellor. Hereby, focus is on professional behavior. For him to maintain his professional knowledge and skills to guarantee the provision of competent professional service to the client, Jordan is in a position that require him to assess whether he can ultimately succeed in serving the client professionally to the end. The arising issue is on Jordan continuing to treat Bruce or avoiding him. Professional judgement hereby would come into play as Jordan would need to disclose about his comfort or discomfort of continuing with the counselling role for …show more content…
As Guttmann (2013) observed, it would be reasonable to consider the case as posing an ethical dilemma considering the potential effects that the two alternatives have and this applies in relation to Jordan’s professional behavior. Upon self-examination, Jordan can refuse to continue treating Bruce and request another counsellor to work on Bruce. However, considering Jordan has been the most respected, admired and experienced at the center, such a decision may end up damaging his reputation that has taken him time to develop within the practice. On the other hand, if Jordan were to consider continuing with Bruce’s treatment, this put him at the danger of compromised decision making, which can also damage his reputation within the counselling
Sim, J (1997). Ethical Decision Making in Therapy Practice. Oxford: Reed Educational and Professional Publishing Ltd. p.16.
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).
Working with people can be challenging, but so rewarding all at the same time. As humans, we are certainly not perfect and we are making mistakes daily. Making decisions is one thing that does not come easily to us, and depending on the day you can get multiple different answers to one situation. The NASW Code of Ethics is an extremely helpful tool when we are working with clients and something that does not ever waiver in ethical decision-making. If we are working in the Social work profession, then we must insure we are making the correct decision for everyone who is involved with the client.
The primary issue that was addressed in the Journal article, “Moral Reasoning of MSW Social Workers and the Influence of Education” written by Laura Kaplan, was that social workers make critical decisions on a daily basis that effect others. They influence their clients’ lives through giving timely and appropriate funding to them and their families, through deciding should a family stay together or should they have a better life with another family, or connecting the client with appropriate resources that can enhance their lives. The article addresses data from an array of students from various universities. The researcher posed these questions; “Would social workers use moral reasoning (what is right and what is wrong) more prevalent if it was taught through an individual class during your MSW graduate studies, or if you obtain any other undergraduate degree, or if the ethic course was integrated in the curriculum?”
Slosar, J. P. (2004). Ethical decisions in health care. Health Progress. pp. 38-43. Retrieved from http://www.chausa.org/publications/health-progress/article/january-february-2004/ethical-decisions-in-health-care
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?
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).
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
As a part of the National Association of Social Workers, social workers may face different kinds of ethical dilemmas in their scope of practice. The code of ethics is put in place so that these professionals may be able to act wisely and make the most suitable and appropriate decisions thereby positively benefitting the client likewise themselves. An ethical dilemma is a conflict between two or more ethical principles. These ethical principles aim to provide beneficense, least harm, respect for autonomy, and provide justice. I will discuss three ethical dilemmas affecting human rights in social work.
Workers in the helping professions endure a massive amount of ethical and professional issues. These issues affect the practice of counseling and the relationship with the client. The book Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions by Corey, Corey, and Hallanan gives many themes that one will encounter throughout their career. The book also gives possible solutions to problems and stimulates different ways to think about issues. The authors of this book provide good knowledge and information for anyone in the helping professions.
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.
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 social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43). In addition, ethical decision-making is a process that
Throughout this course, I have learned essential ways to behave as a social worker. Prior to having this class, I was caught in an ethical dilemma at my former job. Without prior knowledge of ethical decision making models, I was able
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.