Week 2 Discussion
Nikita Tyler
Brief Summary of Case Study
While reading the three case studies in our ACA Ethical Standards casebook I specifically enjoyed reading Carmen’s the most. Carmen was a 19 year old Latino female from Puerto Rico who attended a community college in her neighborhood. She was being counseled by a 28 year old Caucasian female named Allison. Allison is a doctoral student involved in a practicum program at the community college. Allison has held previous counseling sessions with Carmen about her future career options. Carmen seemed to be very excited about the choices and could not wait to get her dad’s opinions about what she should do about her future. This is common behavior for Carmen’s culture, however, her counselor found it to be dysfunctional and wanted to correct Carmen’s behavior and make her be independent. Carmen did not approve of her counselor’s interference with her family matters and stop attending sessions.
Ethical Dilemma in Case Study
The issue at hand in this particular case study is the counselor loses site of the client’s goals and needs. Once the client said she could not wait to get her dad’s opinions about her options the counselor begin to think about herself and what she would and would not do. As a professional counselor, one needs to be respectful of cultures and their values. Latino families are known to be very enmeshed and respectful of their parent’s thoughts and concerns about their future choices.
Depth and Breadth of Ethical Dilemma
Certain situations in this case study that made it an ethical dilemma are the counselor’s interference of pursuing to alter the client’s thinking. Allison told Carmen she should move out her parent’s home, make her own decisions and consider reading literature about being her own person. These acts were unprofessional on the counselor’s part and she could have handled things differently. Because she was unprofessional it affected Carmen and she lost a client.
Ethical Code Numbers A.2.c. Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity
Allison did not communicate information to Carmen in ways that were culturally appropriate.
A.4.b. Personal Values
Allison was only aware of her own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. She did not respect the diversity of Carmen’s culture.
Actions as a Counselor
A counselor is a professional engaged in a counseling practice or other counseling related services. Their job is to provide clients with professional services that assist with problem resolution and decision making. As Carmen’s counselor, I would have explained her career choices to her listened to her responses, accepted the responses, not judged her and continued counseling her. I would not have been biased, judged or questioned her family values. Instead, I would have gladly allowed Carmen to share her choices with family and waited patiently for a response. It would not be my place to tell or suggest what she does with her family members. My actions would have continued services for Carmen and eventually begun a career for her.

Best Solution
Out of the above actions, I believe allowing Carmen to share her options with family and not forcing her to be independent is the best solution. Counselors must be respectful of family ethics and also professional by not involving their own thoughts and opinions.
References
Herlihy, B., & Corey, G. (2006). ACA ethical standards casebook (6th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. * “Case Study 2: Pressures From all Sides: A Rehabilitation Counselor’s Dilemma” (pp. 156–158) * “Case Study 3: Allison: The Case of the Well-Meaning Feminist” (pp. 162–164) * “Case Study 19: Managing Ethical and Legal Obligations” (pp. 249–251)