Setting Boundaries in Counseling

868 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Ethical issues and decision making in counseling cram

Introduction Boundaries are extremely important in a counseling session. Setting boundaries and limits in therapy sessions represents an ethical decision that is set by each counselor, when entering a therapeutic relationship. In this presentation, I will discuss pertinent boundary issues that the staff has encountered, since working at this agency. Finally, I will describe how these boundaries are addressed and resolved at this site. Significant Boundary Issues at this Practicum Site According to G. Corey, M. Corey, & Callanan, (2007) boundary crossings are a departure from regular accepted practices that could benefit the client. A boundary violation is a serious ethical breach that could potentially harm the client (Corey, et el., 2007). Without boundaries, limits or certain rules, the therapeutic professional relationship would not be able to be defined as such. At this practicum site, the program is a command-based program which means that if the client/soldier is a no-show, or late for an appointment, the counselor must call the soldier’s 1st Sergeant or Commander. If the soldier was positive for substances from a urinalysis, the counselor had to report this as a “fact” in treatment, thus the soldier could be deemed a “Rehabilitation Failure” from the program at which point the command would begin separation procedures of the soldier from the Army. In the past, the staff has encountered clients asking special favors from the counselors in reference to not reporting late appointments, no-shows or a positive drug or alcohol test to his or her command. Many of these soldiers were married and had children. This was a strict violation of the rules of the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). The counselor has such a large... ... middle of paper ... ...separated from the Army, it is imperative in this organization that counselors follow strict boundaries regarding members of the Armed Forces. It is okay to advocate for the soldier, when we believe this is appropriate, especially when we know the soldier has made some great gains in their treatment. References 4Therapy.com Network (n.d.). Boundary issues. Retrieved April 22, 2011 from http://www.4therapy.com/professional/research/lawandethics/item.php?uniqueid=4609&categoryid=267& Corey, G., Corey, M.S., & Callanan, P. (2007). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Walker, R. & Clark, J. (1999). Heading Off Boundary Problems: Clinical Supervision as Risk Management. Psychiatric Services, 50 (11), 1435-1439. Retrieved April 22, 2011 from http://www.ps.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/50/11/1435

Show More
Related

  • Case Study Antwone Fisher

    1872 Words  | 4 Pages

    Antwone serves as a Petty Officer in the United States Navy. He is single and heterosexual, with no children. Antwone was referred to the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation, after pleading guilty to assault on a superior, non-commissioned officer. As a result of his physical aggression, he was demoted from ships serviceman Petty Officer, third class, to ships serviceman Seaman. Antwone has a history of physical aggression and poor impulse control. Antwone was referred for three sessions of psychiatry service for assessment of physical aggression, anger management, and supportive treatment. At the end of treatment, a recommendation by Dr. Davenport will be submitted to Antwone’s commanding officer, for the purpose of determining reinstatement to active duty. Antwone sees no need for evaluation and states that the cause of physical assault was a result of racial remarks by the victim. Antwone’s attitude towards fighting is stated in his words, “It’s the only way some people learn.”

    Read More

  • Whose Records Video Summary

    685 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the video, Whose Records, the client demonstrated frustration with her current counselor and made a request for her medical records in order to transfer to another counselor. During the conversation, the counselor remained calm and respectful to the client regardless of the clients’ disrespectful approach. I do not agree with the challenge approach made by the counselor regarding the client seeing a different counselor every three to four weeks. That seemed to increase the level of tension on behalf of the client. I feel a better approach would have been to allow the client to express her concerns regarding her current treatment. After which, the counselor could explain the process of obtaining her medical records along with requesting the client to sign the appropriate release of information to acquire her records.

    Read More

  • Lying on the Couch By Irvin Yalom

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    American Counseling Association (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. - See more at: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics#sthash.13ImD8Lb.dpuf

    Read More

  • Martha Rose Case Study In Nursing

    2601 Words  | 6 Pages

    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).

    Read More

  • Chaplain Assistants Role

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    The lower enlisted soldiers find it easier to talk with someone that is working beside them and can relate to them on their level. The soldiers are able to open up knowing that they can relate and that what is shared will stay confidential unless it is a danger to themselves or others. This allows room for the chaplain assistant to come in to encourage and give them any resources they may need (Army Training Support Center, 2016). Chaplain assistants are well informed on how to handle a distressed solider. In lesson 9 it discussed about how to have a positive response in two different ways pertaining to a solider that is distressed. The first response is called a verbal response. A verbal response is a person that validates and supports the other person’s statement. The second response is called a non-verbal response. A non-verbal response is the body language/expressions that are communicated to others without the use of words ("Lesson 9: Respond to a Distressed Individual", 2016).

    Read More

  • Chemical Dependency Counseling

    1620 Words  | 4 Pages

    Chemical dependency counseling involves direct interactions with the clients and as such standards need to be set which will promote safe and accountable counseling. Chemical dependency counseling has a set code of ethics, guidelines and regulations that seek to safeguard the interests of everybody involved. Laws and ethics ensure that everyone acts in a way that does not cause harm to others. Laws and ethics also help to give the profession its credibility. The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (2014) gives provisions on the conduct of counselors as stipulated by the law. Chapter 135-7-01 provides the various responsibilities of counselors to their clients. Every counselor has a responsibility to their clients. It is their primary duty to promote the welfare of their clients and meet the client’s best interests.

    Read More

  • Ethical Issues In Counseling

    1132 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Ethical Issues In The Case Of Virginia And Tom

    1237 Words  | 3 Pages

    Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2011). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. (8th

    Read More

  • Probationer Risk Assessment

    742 Words  | 2 Pages

    The officer takes public’s view that may be especially true if they shares the persons with mental disorder are extremely violent. If the probationer’s receives a low risk score based on general risk factors, an officer who believes that such disorder as mental or physical strongly predicts violence may override that score and assign a high risk rating to that probationers. First, the probation officer may recommend that the probationers be assigned to a higher observation caseload. As noted above, high levels of supervision lead to a higher possibility of infractions being discovered. This may set up the probationers to fail from the beginning of supervision. Number two; another officer may make references regarding specific condition of probation. Officers who view mental health tr...

    Read More

  • likely

    1007 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ationship with involuntary clients necessitates the development of a ‘mindful holding environment’ in order to promote client well-being. The identification, acknowledgement, and use of the resistance that arises in a mandated therapeutic relationship to engage the client in treatment participation is essential for helping him/her work on the problems affecting their ability to realize goals, as well as, liberate themselves from oppression. Similarly Teitelbaum stated (1991), “ The best we can do as analysts is to try particular interventions that follow from different formulations, assess their impact and be flexible to shift our technique in face of the continual changing dynamics presented by the patient” (p. 128). In the same vein, meeting clients where they are ensures readiness for treatment approaches set forth and solidifies the therapeutic relationship.

    Read More

  • Mental Health Counseling

    472 Words  | 1 Pages

    Licensed mental health counselors have many ethical and legal issues dealing with interacting with clients in a way that leaves them in a better place. It is crucial that counselors act within the b...

    Read More

  • Interview with a Social Worker

    2018 Words  | 5 Pages

    Captain Rob Geis agreed to be interviewed and share his experiences with the next generation of Social Workers. Native to Ohio, he graduated High School in 1979, he continued his education at Ohio State University from 1982-1986, completing his Masters in Social Work. For the past 24 years, he has served as a Social Worker in the United States Army. In his current position he is responsible for the Department of Social Work Services. Previous positions have included: two assignments as a Division Social Worker, Medical Inpatient Social Worker, Chief of Social Work, Division Chief of Mental Health, Clinical Director of Army Substance Abuse Program, Combat Operation Stress Control Commander, and General Staff Officer (Geis, 2012). Academic positions have included both, the Army Long Term Health Education and Training (LTHET) as well as the Command and General Staff College.

    Read More

  • My Personal Theory Of Counseling

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    Values, Morals, and Beliefs are components that play a role in an individual’s self-identity. The establishment of these components shape human nature, behavior, and the development of an individual’s purpose. The basis of these fundamentals has contributed to my desire to become a counselor. This paper will discuss my views of human nature, factors of behavior changes, goals of therapy, the roles of a therapist, and the counseling approaches that I chose to incorporate in a practice.

    Read More

  • Military Mental Illness

    1310 Words  | 3 Pages

    When individuals go into the military they have a complete physical checkup to get cleared to join a branch of service they have selected. Individuals go into the military without having any disabilities or a mental illness, but this can change while they serve during combat. Before signing up, he or she knows the risks such as putting their life on the front line before going into the military. While a solider is in combat, he or she is faced with many types of situations that can cause trauma, physical disability or a mental disability. When veterans come home from serving in combat some of the situations veterans faced causes many to become homeless due to mental illnesses such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD),

    Read More

  • Reflections on Counseling Sessions

    2225 Words  | 5 Pages

    The counseling session began with the introductions where I introduced myself as the counselor and later introduced my client. This stage is important in any counseling session since it is the time of exploration and focusing according to Gerard Egan as quoted by Wright (1998) in his essay on couselling skills. It is in this session that I was able to establish rapport and trust with my client in order to come up with a working and fruitful relationship with him. During this stage I made use of skills like questioning, where I would pose a question directly to my client, sometimes I would choose to just listen to what the client wanted to speak out while in some instances I would be forced to paraphrase the question if I felt the client did not understand the question I had asked previously. There were also other times when I would reflect through silence. During such a period, I got time to study the client and the information he had given. This being a difficult area, since some clients may not be able to volunteer information to you as the counselor, I decided to assure the client of confidentiality of any information he was willing to share with me with a few exceptions which I also told him about. Being open to him about the only times the information may not be confidential was part of my building rapport and establishing trust with him. I therefore, decided to ask the client what information he wanted to share with me and lucky enough he was ready to speak to me about different issues that he was going through.

    Read More

More about Setting Boundaries in Counseling

Open Document