The Ethical Dilemma Of The Professional Counselor

There are two problems being presented in the ethical dilemma of the professional counselor, Dan. First, Dan believes he does not need to keep records on his clients because they are “well-functioning” and his is a church-based practice. The problem of not maintaining client records is an ethical, clinical, and legal problem for Dan. Failure to maintain client records is related to self, and possibly agency or institution if there are no clear guidelines or policies related to client records. Second, Dan believes his clients aren’t truly “sick.” This is a statement related to self that may indicate a lack of professional judgement in which Dan is not truly vested in his clients’ needs and could have ethical and legal implications related to

The American Counseling Association (2014) clearly states in code A.1.b, “Counselors create, safeguard, and maintain documentation necessary for rendering professional services. Regardless of the medium, counselors include sufficient and timely documentation to facilitate the delivery and continuity of services. Counselors take reasonable steps to ensure that documentation accurately reflects client progress and services provided. If amendments are made to records and documentation, counselors take steps to properly note the amendments according to agency or institutional policies.” This is again addressed in code B.6.a, “Counselors create and maintain records and documentation necessary for rendering professional services” (American Counseling Association, 2014). Dan’s attitude that his clients aren’t really “sick” may stem from his own beliefs and is a violation of ACA Code of Ethics code A.4.b. which states “ Counselors are aware of—and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselor’s values are inconsistent with the client’s goals or are discriminatory in nature.” What may not seem as being “sick” to Dan because of his own values and beliefs may in fact be quite traumatic to a client with differing