Ethical Decision Making For Professional Counselors

Professional counselors deal with many legal and ethical issues in the course of treating clients. Some of the issues they may come across include dual relationships, boundaries, bartering, sexual relationships, gift giving, touching a client, and how to begin or end treatment. Some of these issues may seem straightforward in theory, but they can become complicated in practice. In these cases, if possible, a counselor should seek consultation before making any decisions. Ethical dilemmas are an area where professional counselors should continually receive consultation and ongoing education. This paper provides a summary of how a video presentation, the ACA Code of Ethics, and Maryland’s board regulations for professional counselors handle dual relationships, boundaries, gift giving, touch, and beginning and ending treatment. The paper will go on to discuss my reaction to these issues. Finally, I will discuss how I plan to apply what I have learned to my own counseling practice.

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.

This paper is a response to a video discussing the issues of confidentiality, privilege, reporting, and duty to warn. This paper looks at these issues and their explanations in the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics as well as the Georgia State Board of Professional Counselor’s ethical guidelines and provides a commentary on the laws. It was found that these issues are not always black and white, but there is some debate on these issues. Confidentiality is both an ethical and a legal responsibility yet there are often times when the ethical demands clash with the legal demands. This paper explores some of those crashes and explains what I have learned from the video and the professional and stage guidelines concerning confidentiality and its implications and how I will apply what I have learned into future practice.

Directions: Read the scenarios below. For each scenario, provide a 75-150 word response to each question. Use the ACA and NAADAC Codes of Ethics and other scholarly resources to support your responses. You must provide at least one citation to support your response for each scenario. Though APA format is not required for your answers, citations and references should be presented in accordance with APA guidelines.

Mental health counselors have many things to consider when working with clients. Providing services to clients comes with several expectations. Some of the factors which counselors must be aware of include: cultural differences, environmental influences, client expectations, and stages of development which can all play a part in the needs of that particular client. Also included in this group of factors that must be considered are the ethical and legal responsibilities which play a vital role in the

The American Counseling Association and the American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics both provide guidance and direction in making ethical decisions for their members (ACA, 2005) (AMHCA, 2010). Both the ACA and the AMHCA Codes of Ethics cover a wide range of moral and ethical situations that could present themselves to mental health professionals. Both of these codes of ethics have significant impacts on the counseling profession. The tools provided by these codes of ethics ensure that mental health professionals are able to conform to the regulations set forth. They address common concerns from varying points of view. Understanding these codes of ethics is essential to all mental

It goes without saying that at some point in a counselor career, he or she can expect to be faced with an ethical dilemma. Ethical decisions are rarely easy to arrive at, as the dilemmas a counselor is faced with can be very complex

Although there are occasions when, as a professional counselor, one has an opportunity to serve, it is an extraordinary experience to give time to a worthy cause. While enlisting in a voluntary position, it is critical to treat the situation with the same dignities and ethics expected of mental health professionals. Furthermore, once a volunteer the scope of the work, the codes and specifics of the job should be inspected, and related back to the American Counselors Association Code of Ethics, to ensure there are no discrepancies. That is to say; the position should not detract from the ethical values and legal confidences of the profession (American Counseling Association, 2014, p. 19).

In Introduction to Counseling, students were given copies of the ACA Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for School Counselors. The ACA code of Ethics was updated in 2014 with significant changes. One of the improvements was to the preface of the code; including how human development, diversity and multiculturalism, social justice, the integrity of the counselor-child relationship, and competency align further with other professional fields. Another vital area receiving amendments was the extension to the confidentiality law. It is now considered confidential if a person makes an appointment; attaining an appointment is just as important as anything said during a session. In the past, there was concern counselors were making referrals due to religious beliefs. Referrals counselors make will be based on skill and not the counselor’s personal beliefs. It is imperative, new counselors especially, keep up with ethical codes and the changes which can occur at any time.

Dougherty (2010) discussed the ethical obligations of counselors, as well as consultants, to monitor their competency in areas before engaging in professional work. Aside from adhering to the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) requirement to practice only within areas of competence, seeking counsel from the recovery population within the very community they are seeking to help, may be more authentic and valuable. It not only provides a more thorough insight, but also creates community bonding and learning, but also shared community

There are many ethical issues that can arise during counseling. One issue that is fairly common is sexual attraction from patient to counselor, counselor to patient, or even in both directions. Even though an attraction may exist, this does not necessarily mean that these instincts will be followed in any inappropriate way. In fact attraction is a natural part of life and is impossible to avoid. However, any fulfillment of these desires is an unethical act that could not only be in violation of the code of ethics that a counselor is bound by, but it could also subject the counselor and their organization to litigation and legal action.

As a counsellor I have an obligation to follow professional standards and apply appropriate behaviour defined by mental health associations. The purpose of this is to prevent harm to clients as well as to define my own professional values.

Finally, and perhaps most important, the ACA ethical code serves to protect this covenantal relationship as it continues to evolve” (p.121). By looking at counseling relationships as a covenant between the counselor and client the counselor will then respect the welfare and the dignity of their client.

Ethical issues in a counseling practice lay the foundation of a therapist in practice. Ethics are at the center of how the counseling process functions and operates in a successful manner for the clients who seek help in such a setting. In order for the counseling profession to be ethical and hold professional recognition, there are many facets that need to be examined and outlined to make sure all counselors and practitioners are functioning at the highest level and withholding their duties required by the counseling profession. The first introduction so to speak of the area of ethics also happens to be one of the first steps in counseling, which is the informed consent. The informed consent provides the basis of what happens or will be

However, in many cases, counselors get interwoven into their clients and their work loads, and neglect to take care of themselves. According to The Code of Ethics of the ACA (2014), counselors must engage in self-care activities to maintain and promote their emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being and to best meet their professional responsibilities (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, Sec. C). If there is a breech in this required code of ethics clients are at risk for