Becoming Ethical Helping Professional

1. Describe and discuss ethical frameworks within which counselling and therapeutic practitioners work. Include justification for observing codes of conduct and how professionalism is maintained.

Breaking confidentiality is a serious ethical component in counseling and must be considered very carefully before doing so. Each state has laws regarding the disclosure of confidentiality whether it to the courts, the clients, relatives, lawyers, schools, or other unbiased parties (Corey et al., 2015). It is very important that the therapist is aware of the laws in regards to disclosure of confidentiality in the state in which they practice to ensure that they are practicing in an ethical manner and to avoid any legal

The ACA Code of Ethics states, “when counselors are faced with ethical dilemmas that are difficult to resolve, they are expected to engage in a carefully considered ethical decision-making process,” (ACA, 2014, p. 3). Throughout these three case studies, I will use the seven-step ethical decision-making model to address the important professional issues, relevant ethical codes, and legal standards (Forester-Miller & Davis, 1996). By applying the steps to each case I will share how I came to my resolutions.

Hickling, F.W. (2012). Understanding Patients in Multicultural Settings: A Personal Reflection on Ethnicity and Culture in Clinical Practice. Ethnicity & Health, 17(1/2), 203-216. Doi:10. 1080/ 13557858.2012 655266. Retrieved from: Ashford University Library

Throughout the field of social work there are many issues that can cause ethical and multicultural dilemmas. Within the arena of counseling there are laws and ethics that each counselor should abide by and uphold. Ethical decisions should be practices daily to ensure no harm is committed to clients or patients. Being that our environment influences our decisions and thoughts practitioner’s standards to obtain necessary competencies to work effectively with diverse populations.

Ethical principles provide generalized frameworks that may be employed in the resolution of ethical dilemmas in our daily lives. These principles may be applied to our interpersonal relationships as well as to our professional lives. However, as members of a profession, we will encounter more specific codes of ethics that are designed to govern our professional behavior and to offer some guidance for the resolution of commonly faced ethical issues that occur in the practice of our chosen professions (Syracuse University,

Different organizations are driven by specific sets of code of ethics, which are used to protect many different aspect of the organizations, specifically the client, counselor, and organization. Concerning the standards of a counselor, their ethics are not only provided by the laws of the state or their practice, but also outside sources who present basic values and regulations of ethical standards in their code of ethics. This paper will look at two specific associations: the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association

It is important to be aware of one’s limitations, weaknesses and strengths in the delivery of counseling services. Taking into account the cultural values of the client, the support systems and the client’s view of the key parts of his or her makeup (the history of the client) are culture specific (because someone is of the same race does not mean that values will be the same) and does not discount the individual. Sue et al reminds us that multicultural counseling competency looks beyond racial and ethnic minorities and also includes disabilities, sexual orientation, age, and other special populations (Sue, et al, 1992).

The Code of Ethics is not a law it is not something that we must adhere to it is a set of guidelines a framework to help and advise us, ultimately it remains the responsibility of the individual. The ACA Code of Ethics promotes guidance intended to inform the ethical practice of professional counselors, identifies ethical considerations relevant to professional counselors, enables clarification for current and prospective members, and for those served by members, the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by its members and it emphasis on the role of the professional counselor (2014). Comparing and Contrasting Relationship with colleagues, employees and employers (section D), supervision training and teaching (section F)

In the video related to culture of emotions two important questions were raised. The first question was why has this happened to me and the second was why now? This was a very powerful way to open the video and lead to a great discussion of the DSM-IV cultural formation piece. In watching this video the first implication that I could see for myself how not knowing enough about specific cultures and the possible need for a cultural consultant. This video described that cultures have narrative structures and that sometimes we need a cultural consultant to help tell a client’s story overall. I believe that this is a very important piece of multicultural counseling without understanding a clients culture we cannot understand the client.

For a successful profession, cultural competence should be put into consideration to create an environment that favors better communication. Since migration of people across the globe has increased, it has resulted to a population that is ethnically diverse. Nurses must therefore interact with a diversified community, hence the need to learn about their culture. When involved in a work team, the following disciplines should be considered: valuing diversity, having the ability to asses and scrutinize culture, to be aware of differences that emerge when different culture interact, ability to adapt the means of service delivery with culture diversity in mind, as well as institutionalizing the knowledge of

In a multicultural counseling perspective there are four key approaches when counseling individuals, (a) multicultural awareness of culturally learned assumptions about self and others leading to accurate assessments of clients, (b) multicultural knowledge of information, (c) multicultural skills and interventions, that are appropriate treating clients, and (d) individuals are from a variety of backgrounds, demographic status, and affiliation of cultures. The three-stage approach, will direct the counselor towards levels of multicultural competence in therapy by providing a successful outcome in the recovery process. When conducting a psychotherapy session with a client the counselor should be able to demonstrate skills, when exploring the client’s cultural background. Counselors should also be able to focus on the essential skills and pattern behaviors, when identifying cultural differences. Counseling a minority from a different culture counselors’ must be able to identify their own personal behaviors. These behaviors are crucial when counseling these individuals. First, a counselor must be able to sense the clients’ viewpoint or issue in some way. Secondly, a counselor should be specific when asking a question rather than being unclear and confusing.

The concept of globalization, which is the increasing integration and interdependence of different countries from one another in terms of economic, communication, and technological aspects, leads one to address the concept of cultural diversity or multiculturalism. Cultural diversity in the health-care system touches lives of many Americans in one way or another. No matter what our own cultural background is, when we go receive medical care, we may encounter a care giver who comes from a different cultural background than ours(Naylor 1997,291).. In the concept of cultural diversity, it can be recognized that two terms are equally important. The first concept is culture, which refers to the total way of life of individuals, and the unique

Workers in the helping professions endure a massive amount of ethical and professional issues. These issues affect the practice of counseling and the relationship with the client. The book Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions by Corey, Corey, and Hallanan gives many themes that one will encounter throughout their career. The book also gives possible solutions to problems and stimulates different ways to think about issues. The authors of this book provide good knowledge and information for anyone in the helping professions.

In no more than 3,000 words you are required to complete an essay on ethical issues in the practice of counseling, by addressing the following question: