Case Study Bea Rosen

A social worker has a multitude of responsibilities to ensure the best care is provided for their clients. Due to conflicting interpretations of ethical guidelines and rules, and a variety of personal views, social workers can sometimes find themselves in a tough situation when there are conflicts of interest. This can cause difficult or awkward sessions between the social worker and client, and can ultimately lead to the termination of services. In the case between Allison and Carmen, conflicting views caused Carmen to discontinue her sessions with Allison.

Another strong ethical issue was the huge confidentiality issues that involves Susan and Savannah’s family. Susan reveals information about Savannah’s sessions while she was still in a medically induced coma, so clearly there was not permission to do so from Savannah or from a legal stance. The Code of Ethics prohibits this kind of behavior and as a social worker is not acceptable.

1. Identify the most significant boundary issue(s) or “circumstances where social workers encounter actual or potential conflicts between their social, sexual, religious or business relationships” (Reamer, 2003) exhibited by the worker in this case. Justify your answer with specific evidence from the case AND the NASW Code of Ethics.

Julie Mialaret is my mother and she is 53 years old. My mother exercises very rarely because of her intense work schedule. She says it is hard for her to have the energy everyday to work out after long work hours. She has never smoked in her life because she does not find it appealing. Mrs. Mialaret eats a very low-fat diet and eats very small portions. My mother eats very healthy and is able to maintain her weight without exercise. She faces no barriers when it comes to eating healthy because growing up she ate little portions and couldn't afford fast food. I would like to change my eating habits to better reflect my mom's diet however, I would like to incorporate some sort of exercise into my daily routine. My mom hopes to start exercising

The section of the National Association of Social Work Ethics that will be discussed will be number four which includes Social Workers’ ethical responsibilities as professionals. This ethics code concentrates on a several different factors which include: 4.01 Competence, 4.02 discrimination, 4.03 private conduct, 4.04 dishonesty, 4.05 personal impairment, 4.06 misinterpretations, 4.07 solicitations, and 4.08 acknowledging credit.

1. The two ethical violations noted from the NASW Code of Ethics that was exhibited by the worker in the case titled No Mad Dog Looks is Commitment to Clients 1.01 which states "Social worker 's primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients. In general client 's interests are primary. However, social workers ' responsibility to the larger society or specific legal obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and clients should be so advised. An example includes when a social worker is required by law to report that a client has abused a child or has threatened to harm self or others" (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). On page 111 of the article by Duncan, No Mad Dog Looks,

In some circumstances a social worker may self-expose some things that may be helpful to the client in some ways, but be harmful in others and possibly may jeopardize the trust that the client has in the social worker. (Reamer, F. (2012). Determining the outcome is difficult; basically you have to pick you battles per-say.

Returned call to Ms Deborah Turner. She wanted to complain about a CW worker that did not allowed see her great-niece Astasia (2years old) and great-nephew, Odion (4 years old).

Julie Gurnick is a broadcasting major at Point Park University from Jeannette, commuting an hour to campus each day. She was interested in Point Park University because it offered a good program in communications. Gurnick also holds an associates degree in business communications form Westmoreland County Community College. After graduating from Point Park University Gurnick aspires to become a sports caster. Gurnick is currently a free-lance employee for the Tribune Review as well as a dietary aid at St. Anne Home.

The ethical principle set forth by the NASW states “social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person (NASW, 2008).” The social worker in this case has a duty to treat the clients respectfully and be mindful of individual differences, culture, and ethnic diversity. As the social worker, it was imperative that I work with Stephanie to build upon her capacities and seek ways to guide her to be capable to address her own needs.

Social workers should avoid accepting goods or services from clients as payment for professional services. Bartering arrangements, particularly involving services, create the potential for conflicts of interest, exploitation, and inappropriate boundaries in social workers’ relationships with clients” (1.13.b).

The social work profession’s Standards of Practice outlines the boundaries in the relationship between social workers and their clients and sets a mandate of their responsibilities as a social worker (Alberta College of Social Workers, 2013, p. 30). In the Code of Ethics, boundaries are also set at a high standard as we must draw metaphysical lines between personal roles or interests and professional (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2005, p. 7) to prevent forming a dual relationship with clients. Another boundary is to halt the possibility of the social worker from using the time they have to help themselves rather than helping their clients (CASW, 2005, p. 6). In addition to these boundaries, it is crucial for social workers to not share too much of their personal life with clients by placing mental boundaries of how much they feel they can share of their personal life with their clients.

This paper examines the case study about Sarah Burke. A case study analysis form was completed and symptoms were identified. Identification of certain diagnostic criteria were interpreted and clarified for the exhibiting individual. Illumination of criteria for proposed diagnosis lead to the discussion which resolves the risk factors and clinical features associated with the diagnosis. Recognition of certain symptoms and criteria brought to light other possible comorbidities. Cumulative risk theory, as well as, the diathesis stress model were investigated for possible involvement in the Burke disorder development. Multidimensional factors related to the onset and maintenance of her symptoms are deliberated; as well as, how her culture played a role. In the end, a conclusion is given about suggested pre- and post- treatment, overall benefits of those treatments, and prognosis outlooks.

Moreover, this case should be analyzed based on the information provided by the NASW Code of Ethics. The ethical principle included in the NASW Code of Ethics (2008) states that “social worker’s primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems…Social workers seek to resolve conflicts between clients’ interests and the broader society’s interests in a socially responsible manner” (p.5). Suzanne’s social worker would only have to seek for Suzanne’s well-being because if Suzanne and Cindy get separated, they can lose contact, which would affect Suzanne 's emotions.

Ethical issues in general, regardless of the profession or field one is in are inevitable. Social workers understand the value base of the profession and its value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as well as relevant laws and regulations that may impact practice at the micro and macro level (Segal, 2016). Although social workers are trained and understand ethical standards does not prevent them to one-day face ethical issues. According to (Reamer, 2014) we have embarked on a new period, one which few of us, he suspected, could have anticipated. Today’s social workers can provide services online or via video counseling or text messages to clients they never meet in person. They may receive Facebook friend request from clients or former clients that lead to boundary challenges. These boundary challenges as Reamer categorizes them are part of what he calls the Digital period. “Issues steadily arise even among segments of the population that one would expect to