...A Practitioner's Guide to Ethical Decision Making Holly Forester-Miller, Ph.D. Thomas Davis, Ph.D. Copyright © 1996, American Counseling Association. A free publication of the American Counseling Association promoting ethical counseling practice in service to the public. -- Printed and bound copies may be purchased in quantity for a nominal fee from the Online Resource Catalog or by calling the ACA Distribution Center at 800.422.2648. ACA grants reproduction rights to libraries, researchers and teachers who wish to copy all or part of the contents of this document for scholarly purposes provided that no fee for the use or possession of such copies is charged to the ultimate consumer of the copies. Proper citation to ACA must be given. Introduction Counselors are often faced with situations which require sound ethical decision making ability. Determining the appropriate course to take when faced with a difficult ethical dilemma can be a challenge. To assist ACA members in meeting this challenge, the ACA Ethics Committee has developed A Practitioner's Guide to Ethical Decision Making. The intent of this document is to offer professional counselors a framework for sound ethical decision making. The following will address both guiding principles that are globally valuable in ethical decision making, and a model that professionals can utilize as they address ethical questions in their work. Moral Principles Kitchener (1984) has identified five moral principles...
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...A Practitioner's Guide to Ethical Decision Making Holly Forester-Miller, Ph.D. Thomas Davis, Ph.D. Copyright © 1996, American Counseling Association. A free publication of the American Counseling Association promoting ethical counseling practice in service to the public. -- Printed and bound copies may be purchased in quantity for a nominal fee from the Online Resource Catalog or by calling the ACA Distribution Center at 800.422.2648. ACA grants reproduction rights to libraries, researchers and teachers who wish to copy all or part of the contents of this document for scholarly purposes provided that no fee for the use or possession of such copies is charged to the ultimate consumer of the copies. Proper citation to ACA must be given. Introduction Counselors are often faced with situations which require sound ethical decision making ability. Determining the appropriate course to take when faced with a difficult ethical dilemma can be a challenge. To assist ACA members in meeting this challenge, the ACA Ethics Committee has developed A Practitioner's Guide to Ethical Decision Making. The intent of this document is to offer professional counselors a framework for sound ethical decision making. The following will address both guiding principles that are globally valuable in ethical decision making, and a model that professionals can utilize as they address ethical questions in their work. Moral Principles Kitchener (1984) has identified five moral principles that are viewed as the...
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...Ethical Decision Making Process: The Case Study of Gentry As counselors, we are responsible for promoting the mental, emotional and physical well-being of our clients. Sometime promoting the welfare of clients is not as simplistic and straightforward as it is in textbooks. There will be times when we, as counselors, face the challenge that is an ethical dilemma. When deciding how to manage these types of situations there are ethical, legal and moral considerations. The American Counseling Association has established the ethical guidelines for counselors. The legal obligations counselors must adhere to are established by the federal government and state legislation. Moral principles that counselors reflect upon are autonomy, nonmaleficence,...
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...principles, guidelines, application and use of assessments for psychologists. Additionally the American counseling Association code of ethics provides expectations for conduct with the primary emphasis being on the role of the professional counselor. Again MFT provides the some code of ethics in which to provide expectations of the licensed Marriage and Family therapist. Examples of provisions within those guidelines for the use of assessments, but more specifically the responsibility of the professional counselor, plus implications for not following ethical decision making model of principles. While considering the foundation set forth by those professionals with wisdom, experience and knowledge whom submitted a draft for approval, the American psychological association created an empirically developed code that was based on ethical dilemmas. Although the American Psychological Association had been in existence since 1892 with no formal code of ethics for over 59 years, there was a scientific /professional ethics, and code of conduct observed in 1950. A survey was used to gather actual descriptions of professional activities providing that guideline which set precedence for years to come in the APA profession. This was done with the hopes that these ethical standards would continue to grow for many years and could be based on daily decisions by professionals. Ethical dilemmas investigated were pertaining to the rights of participants, over informed consent; data not presented...
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...a director for a non-profit organization and private business owner, this organization is to be considered a “service provider” facility, working directly to house, heal, feed, clothe, and educate females experiencing homelessness. Supervise a staff of 10, including an assistant director. B. Describe the population The organization would provide services to 30 single females in a Bible-based residential recovery program. Funded by Federal, State, City and private funders. The funding will be used for staff salary, food, utilities, up keep of the building, etc. Females would range from 25-45 years of age. C. Identify the appropriate code of professional ethics Ethical Standards of Human Service Professionals (2015), Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals 1. Inform consent – Standard 2 Human service professionals obtain informed consent to provide services to clients at the beginning of the helping relationship. Clients should be informed that they may withdraw consent at any time except where denied by court order and should be able to ask questions before agreeing to the services. 2. Customer rights and confidentiality -...
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...head: EXPLORING CONFIDENTIALITY 1 Impacts of Tarasoff Jennifer Munoz COUN 6306-28 Walden University Impacts of Tarasoff The 1976 case Tarasoff v. The Regents of the University of California, initiated a nationwide legislature reform. The famous California Supreme Court case propelled most states to enact a form of “duty to warn” or “duty to protect” statutes (Simone & Fulero, 2005). Tarasoff has forever impacted the liability and responsibilities of medical professionals. This paper will review a Colorado state statute influenced by Tarasoff. It will further address the “duty to warn” and “duty to protect” dilemmas and the suitable ways to address them. Lastly, this paper will examine confidentiality challenges presented in Laureate Education Inc. (2012) video, Mental Health Counseling: Confidentiality. Colorado State Law Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-117 defines the responsibilities of mental health professionals. It holds mental health professionals liable for their “duty to protect” third parties in cases in which clients communicate threat or harm (Colorado Legal Resources, 2012). The statute states that a mental health professional is not liable in civil court for the failure to warn or protect a third party from a client (Colorado Legal Resources, 2012). Furthermore, it adds that the professional is not held liable to predict their client’s behavior (Colorado Legal Resources, 2012). Though, it mandates that if the client...
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...Case Study #7:” I feel exhausted”. A young lady named Elaine, who is 25 years old, received her first job post-graduation in a Mental Health Counseling center in another state. She has career goals of becoming a licensed counselor with leadership roles in the community. After the excitement of the move, she embarked on her journey and took on a heavy caseload of clients. This case load caused her to become distressed and overwhelmed with the clients’ issues. She has little to no energy and is not taking care of herself emotionally, physically, and mentally. She became excluded with society; she formed no connection with friends, colleagues and family. She brought her work home with her and this causes more distress....
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...paper evaluates an ethical school counseling dilemma where a counselor is ultimately faced with a student’s disclosure of suicidal intentions. The setting takes place in a public high school where Lakia, a counselor decides to begin a “relationship skills” group. Lakia post advertisements drawing interest from current students through the schools counseling office. She advertised with little information regarding the mission or purpose of the group. Lakia did not request information from students interested in the group such as their interest to participate, the nature of their past and current problems or previous experiences with other groups. The first meeting began with a total of nine students heavily skewed in the female gender with only two male participants. During the opening of the first meeting, one of the male participants named Robert self discloses his violent past and that he often experiences anger issues predominantly toward women. During a break, five of the female participants decide to exclude themselves from the group. Robert then proceeds to become emotional and unveils his intentions to commit suicide when he arrives home afterschool. This paper will evaluate this ethical dilemma using the American Counseling Association’s (ACA) Decision Model. Evaluation will include discussions identifying the problem, applying the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Ethical Code, determining the nature and dimensions of the dilemma, potential courses...
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...Protecting Clients from Harm through Ethical Codes, Informed Consent and Confidentiality Cydne-Ann A. Grobri Liberty University Abstract One of the primary reasons for the creation and use of ethical codes within helping professions is to educate the professional about acceptable ethical behavior and to protect the well-being of clients. The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (2008) illuminates that the code “sets forth values, ethical principles, and ethical standards to which professionals are to aspire and by which their actions can be judged.” (Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics). A helping professional is required to be ethically, clinically and legally-minded to safeguard the client and/or public during all interactions within the client/counselor relationship, arguably at the point of advertisement about the availability of service. This paper will examine the actions of a community college counselor and how her neglect to utilize codes of ethics and sound judgment put her in a predicament where she may have caused harm to the participants in her group. We will also explore a practical decision making model that will demonstrate that the helping profession has to begin applying principle and virtue ethics from the outset of the client/counselor relationship opposed to the initial meeting. Keywords: group session, confidentiality, ethics, disclosure, legal, ACA Protecting Clients from Harm through Ethical Codes, Informed Consent and...
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...A Conflict for Counselors Crystal Anderson University of Phoenix BSHS/332 Professional, Ethical, and Legal issues in Human Services Audra Stinson October 8, 2012 A counselor’s perspective Social workers study psychological and sociological aspects of counseling. It is believed by some professionals, work performed by practitioners considered technically guided from their educational experience. There is communication abroad that suggests most or nearly every social worker develops ethical practices from their training or state licensing boards. During therapeutic involvement counselors explore various methods of intervention tactics learned. However, it is other viewpoints critical for the development of each therapist style. This paper examines the development of this counselor’s personal values, ground rules, and ethics in a professional setting. The main focus describes viewpoints of the counselor’s perspectives, the effects, and sources, which contributed to these notions. This paper further explains the counselor decisions in ethical practices. Moreover, primarily counselors are responsible for the entire treatment process for their clients. This relationship often entails a variety of settings, such as private...
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...COMPARING CODES OF ETHICS 1 Comparing Codes of Ethics Kirsten Price Counseling 6306: Ethics and Legal Issues Walden University Comparing Codes of Ethics The mental health counseling profession is guided by basic ethical guidelines that outline legal and moral responsibilities. Professional standards are necessary for counselors to understand the implications of their actions and behavior in the field. Good intentions do not guarantee appropriate practice. The American Mental Health Counselors’ Association (AMHCA) and American Counseling Association (ACA) provide standards for education and training counselors to better understand their role and provide oversight of ethical and legal issues commonly experienced by counselors on a day to day basis. Similarities between AMHCA and ACA Codes of Ethics The spirit and commitment to competent application of counseling procedure and professional courtesy is the underlying theme shared by the principles and guidelines of the AMHCA and ACA ethical codes. The ACA standards in Section A regarding the Counseling Relationship explore the counselor’s relationship to the client in regards to sensitivity and the mission to safeguard the client from harm during counseling process. (ACA 2014) The AMHCA principle under I.A.1 “Primary Responsibility”, also addresses the overall goal of counselors to look out for client welfare by following appropriate process and procedure. (AMHCA 2010). Differences...
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...Group therapy has gained popularity in a gradual but steady way in the contemporary society. The main feature of group therapy is group counseling, which involves people forming support groups for self-help and support about a common problem. A therapist engages a group in planned counseling sessions by using a custom made programmed for them. The group’s proper existence, progress and ethics are of great importance for it is a reflection of the groups conduct in their relation. Basically, ethics give a definition of the agreed upon do’s and don’ts in the group activity .It therefore stands that, group’s discipline is a great determiner for group success or failure. Of worth importance is group trust among the members of group members of the therapy for maintenance of credibility in their activities. Without maintaining trust within a group, it is not possible to achieve cohesion (Baum, 2005). Trust is essential in group therapy because it will enhance openness and the members will be able to share freely. Indeed, this is an essential ethical issue that should be considered in group therapy. Respect and professionalism are key elements that a therapist should possess in handling group members while maintaining a firm leadership of the group. Therapists are the chief custodians of the group; hence, they need to cultivate a culture of ensuring that every member is treated with respect and honor. This is feasible in ensuring that the rights and liberties of every person are observed...
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...The Complexity of Ethical Decision Making Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart remarked, "Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do." In parsing out a virtuous ethical identity, psychologists strive to embrace several American Psychological Association [APA]-worthy overarching principles, to apply the enumerated guidelines within the Code of Ethics, and to cultivate personal and professional integrity in their quest to serve others. Furthermore, making an ethical commitment to placing the well-being of clients above one’s own personal feelings is paramount in providing effective therapeutic services that clients seek. However, the gentle human interplay of dependency, power, and will; the uniqueness and unpredictability of autonomous human beings; and the complexity of personality, behavior, and the inimitable experiences of each individual clearly drive and complicate the process of ethical decision-making. In espousing the “very highest ethical ideals of the profession (Hill, 2008),” eventually every psychologist must find a way to merge her purely objective, linear, and rational ethical catechism with her own intuitive responses to best reflect and balance her style, therapeutic orientation, and professional belief system with the needs of each distinct client. Conversely, a purely sensate approach to ethical decision-making, it seems, relies too heavily on subjectivity, whimsy, and emotions...
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...PCN-505 Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices Denise I Ratliff Professor RaTonya Bennett March 30, 2016 * * * * Introduction Ethics, boundaries and potential dual relationships are important for counselors to comprehend. Understanding the code of ethics and understanding the many facets of counselor /patient scenarios that can arise during a professional relationship. Dual relationships is a gray area in which there is a very paramount question that the counseling professional need to address and that is; whether a dual relationship is necessary. Simply put, impractical dual relationships can be charged with unnecessary jeopardy. Certain situations may arise in which a dual relationship could be hard to avoid and may have its challenges. It is important that any counseling that is given regardless of the relationship should be safe and secure. Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships Part A – Decision-Making Model and Counseling Examples Engaging in dual relationships is risky business in being a counseling professional. Ethical issues related to professional boundaries and dual relationships can be complex because, dual relationships and the issues that follow are multi-faceted. “If a dual relationship is exploitative, whether it is before, during, or after a professional relationship, it should be avoided” (ACA, 2015). It is important that the counselor acknowledge the fine distinctions between crossing boundaries that lay in the...
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...Ethics are the standards of conduct of a particular profession or group. A dilemma is defined as a situation in which one must choose between difficult alternatives. In an ethical dilemma, choosing between alternatives is challenging because ethical standards may be in conflict. Either choice may uphold one ethical standard but, at the same time, violate another. There may not be a clear cut way to choose between right and wrong. Counselors help people make the most of their lives in the face of unique challenges and adversity. They develop relationships with their clients, often in a very personal way, and recommend problem-solving approaches and relationship-building techniques. Counseling is a dynamic profession that offers the rare opportunity to do work of profound significance on a daily basis. FIND A SCHOOL Counselors specialize in a variety of subjects: marriage and family, addictions, school guidance, mental health, community health and nutrition, or career. They may also specialize in rehabilitation, physical and mental disabilities, or crisis counseling with people in times of serious need or injury. The counseling field is growing, yielding many opportunities to fine-tune a specialty and establish a career that is truly rewarding. Work Environment Counselors are employed at all levels of government and private industry, or have their own practice. They often provide counseling services to government and private business or directly interact with clients. Some...
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