A Code Of Ethics And Its Impact On A Client 's Mental Health

Autonomy. Hai’s mental state is altered with the manifestations of delusions and hallucinations making him incapable of deciding for himself. His ability to practice his autonomy and refusal of medical treatment is deemed invalid due to his mental illness.

Ethical principles and virtues give mental health professions guidelines to follow to police their behaviors. Do no harm, respect autonomy, be just and pure excellences are some of the principles and virtues. Purse excellence is described in my textbook, Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions: Standards and Cases, as maintaining competence, doing your best, and taking pride in your work. (Koocher & Keith-Spiegal, 2008)

In the case of Sheila, we learn the unethical and unprofessional issues that we as counselors never want to institute. It is absolutely important for counselors to be properly trained in cases that need sensitivity and understanding of cultural differences. Otherwise, we may impose our own values onto our clients without the intention to do so. It is essential that therapists are aware of their own beliefs and values in order to better serve their clients so that the professional is not bias towards those seeking help. If someone is not confident in a situation that concerns their clients well-being, seek supervision for further assistance. In the following essay we will review different codes of ethics that relates to Sheila’s case with her client, Brendan and how to execute them as professionals in the helping field. Sheila was dismissive and insensitive when Brendan shared his spiritual values to her, which ultimately caused him to leave their session. Here we learn how a counselor should carry themselves in cases such as this.

In today’s psychology profession, a therapist and even the client can cross many boundaries if immediate boundaries are not put into place during the initial visit. Some boundaries that are crossed are not a problem at first and then the problem progresses. Leonard L. Glass called these, “the gray areas of boundary crossing and violation” (429). However, there is further description, “Boundary issues mostly refer to the therapist's self-disclosure, touch, an exchange of gifts, bartering and fees, length and location of sessions and contact outside the office” (Guthiel & Gabbard). This statement by Thomas G. Gutheil, M.D. & Glen O. Gabbard, M.D explains the meaning of boundary

Ethical codes have been developed so that therapists understand the standards for appropriate behavior and maintaining the welfare of the client. All mental health professionals should be proficient in the acknowledgment of any Code of Ethics as they serve as legal guidelines when ethically questionable circumstances arise. Essential to the principles of counseling, a client’s confidentiality is imperative as a therapist is the receiver of an individual’s thoughts and ideas surrounding the concerns for seeking treatment. Item 2.1 in the AAMFT Code of Ethics states how a therapist would disclose and limits of confidentiality, and in what circumstances that a client’s information would be requested. Additionally, item 2.2 is the

Lying on the Couch by Irvin D. Yalom has been both entertaining and interesting from a counseling standpoint in that it provides a scandalous and as was in most of the cases, a look at what could go wrong if ethics in a clinical counseling setting go awry. Following the characters of Seymour Trotter, Earnest Lash, and Marshal Streider in working with their clients and with each other the ethical lessons to be learned become obviously apparent, if not emotionally painful. Although, numerous issues arise throughout the book, there were at least three that will be covered within the context of this writing. In consideration of each of these ethical breaches there will be dialog on the nature of the ethical issue or violation, where the ACA ethical code applies, ramifications of the ethical issue or violation on both parties, and application of Kitchener?s five primary ethical principles that were involved or violated. In addition, the justification offered by the characters in the book for their actions or considered actions, application to the situation in the setting of Clinical Mental Health counseling, and indication of personal response to the situation presented. Understanding that the use of these ethical principles and considerations as they apply in counseling are unequivocally valuable tools in helping a practitioner in working with clients to make comprehensive decisions that will not create conflict within their ethical parameters and are aligned with the laws

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.

In todays society, prisons and jails seemed to have become the new mental health asylums. The number of prisoners with mental health issues in these institutions are staggering and exceed state mental health facilities by the thousands. Treatment of these individuals within the criminal justice system is critical, mainly because most with illnesses are helpless and are mistreated while incarcerated. Also, most remain in jail or prison longer than most because they are likely to break the rules consequently failing to get a lessening sentence for good behavior, which then contributes to overcrowding. Furthermore, when mental illness goes untreated the individual usually worsens, leaving the jail or prison in a degenerating state then what they entered. Ethical concerns neighboring research, testing and treatment on any social population requires serious considerations. Therefore, ethical dilemmas regarding research, testing and treatment of prisoners with mental illness cultivate out of the complexity of the correctional system, because of lack of personal choice and control.

Personnel selection can be considered the responsibility of all those who manage people as well as a description of persons who are employed as specialists. Psychologists are hired by organizations to help with the personnel selection process and to help select the best person for the job. While helping with the selection process, the psychologist needs to follow the professional standards set by the APA.

Ethics codes are put in place to guide the conduct of their members and set the precedence of how one should behave. The ethical status of professional boundaries and the ethical nature of dual and overlapping relationships in the counseling realm remain continuing issues and are very complex. A boundary crossing is moving away from what occurs in a normal professional situation and it is beneficial to a client. A boundary violation is a breach that negatively affects the client. When and if a dual relationship involves exploitation of a client that relationship is definitely a boundary violation. Boundary violations are unethical (Corey, Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2014, p.260). As counselors we need to be cautious with dual relationships

1. Kingsford Legal Centre sees a range of clients, many of whom are disadvantaged in some way. What were some of the ethical and/or professional issues and considerations that arose during your interviewing sessions? How were these issues addressed or resolved? How might they be different from working with other types of clients? (350 words)

Brief overview of the dilemma. Obtain as much info as you can about the situation. i.e.who all is involved, varying perspectives.

In providing therapy to a client, the therapist has a duty to do no harm (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002). According to Pope and Vasquez (2010) an ethical practice is dependent upon the competency of

Psychotherapy, the application of psychological knowledge, social engineering and experimental research involving human participants gradually necessitated the need for ethical practices to be defined and regulated in order to prevent further erroneous and cavalier interventions that could cause harm to participants or clients. In the UK, the BPS response to this need has resulted in the provision of a framework for psychologists to operate within the ethical principles of “Respect, Competence, Responsibility and Integrity”. As a result ethics are now in place to minimise participants or clients from physical and mental harm; ensure participant confidentiality; avoid malicious deception; gain informed valid consent; debrief effectively; and ensure social responsibility within the profession ("Ethics & standards | BPS," Codes of Human Research Ethics (2014)). With psychologists recognised as being in a position of trust and authority, these ethics are in place to ensure that this position is not abused or exploited, resulting in participant or client

Psychotherapy is an interactive process between two individuals or more for the purpose of the improvement or the relief of the suffer of the person from compulsion, troublesome behavior, depression, etc. The process has to be done by using the therapeutic methods which logically relevant to the case under the regulations by laws and the profession. The therapist required for psychotherapy is proficient in both the theories of formation of personality and the techniques and theories of cognitive behavior modification. Founded by Sigmund Freud in the early 20th century, the Modern psychology has been developing and improved its concepts and theories. Psychotherapy, the application of it, has been perfecting