Ethical Decision Making Models, Transcultural And Practitioner Essay

c. How might differences in personal values and gender/cultural issues create ethical dilemmas in this case? It’s an ongoing balance to decide how David going to view the cultural differences. There isn’t a simple answer. The principal rule supporting ethical obligations is that the counselor must act with full recognition of the importance of client’s rights, the ethics of the profession.(National Association of Social Workers 1999).

Considering the ethical and legal issues within the therapeutic relationship, specifically concerning the case study to follow, a six-step ethical problem-solving model that Bond describes, derived from American sources (Paradise and Siegelwaks, 1982; Austin et al., 1990), cited in Bond (2015) would help a counsellor to think clearly and carefully towards managing difficult choices within dilemmas. Bond quotes:

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

It is important to look at ethical dilemmas in a systematic way, thus increasing the chance of achieving a solution that gives the best possible outcome. An ethical problem solving model taken from American sources (Paradise and Siegelwaks, 1982; Austin et al., 1990) was used to develop a six-step process to follow, in order to achieve this (Bond 2010, pg. 227). This process informs this paper, and I am in the role of counsellor.

Making sound ethical decisions require an intentional process that utilizes thoughtful reflection, supervision/consultation, and action. Many ethical decision making models exist and the seven-step model introduced by Forester-Miller and Davis (1996) is a succinct amalgamation of these earlier models. The model by Forester-Miller and Davis (1996) follows seven progressive steps: (a) identify the problem, (b) apply the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), (c) determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma, (d) generate potential courses of action, (e) consider the potential consequences of all options and determine a course of action, (f) evaluate the selected course of action, and (g) implement the course of action.

Apply the ethical decision making model presented in week one lectures (adapted from Beemsterboer, 2010; Velasquez et al, 2009) to the case study.

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.

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.

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

When researching about ethical dilemmas and talking to supervisors and others in the field, taking time to process everything that has happened before making a final decision. The Elmhurst social work supervisor said, “when faced with an ethical dilemma, you can’t undo a decision once it’s been made. At the end of the day, you need to be able to live with your decision and to feel confident you are doing what is in the best interest of your client” (Kathy Rossi,

In the mental health profession of counseling, therapy, psychology, psychiatric and social services ethical dilemmas are faced primarily on a daily basis. Being that mental health professionals are working with clients who are often fragile and vulnerable, they must develop an intense awareness of ethical issues. On the other hand, mental health professionals would never intentionally harm their clients, students or colleagues and others whom they work with. Unfortunately, good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong doings will not occur and mental health professionals have no choice but to make ethically determined decisions. Depending upon the experience and expertise of the professional determines the outcome of the ethical

The ethical decision making process is based on moral rules and unchanging principles that are derived from reason and can be applied universally. These universal rules and principles must be considered separate from the consequences or the facts of a particular situation. (McWay, 2014). Health care workers face ethical issues and have to use the ethical decision making process to determine what is best for their patients.

Most individuals like using moral models to help with steering them on the correct path through their ethical decision-making process (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2006, p.27). It is said that there are six vital moral principles to consider when making moral decisions (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2006, p.27). These include autonomy, nonmaleficense, beneficence, fidelity, and veracity. Another form of ethical-decision making that can be noted was created by Corey, Corey, Corey, and Callahan and it proposes that professionals go through an eight step process when making moral decisions (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2006, p. 28). Those eight steps list as identifying the problem or predicament, recognizing the possible problems associated with the situation, analyzing the applicable moral guidelines, being aware of the relevant laws and rules, obtaining consultation, contemplating possible strategies, listing the consequences of different decisions, and determining what’s the leading course of action (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2006, p.

I will use the “Practisioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision Making” model of Holly Forerster-Miller and Thomas

Nurses often encountered various ethical dilemmas in the practice setting. Both virtue ethics and caring ethics support good ethical decision making for nurses (Park, 2012, p. 149) but these are inadequate to assist in solving an ethical dilemma (Park, 2012, p. 149). For that reason an ethical decision making tool is helpful for the nurses or clinicians to come up with an ethical decision (Kelly, 2012, p. 571) that allows them to gather information, identify any gap of understanding on the issue or the disagreements between the involved parties through a clear communication (Park, 2012, p. 140). Several authors presented an ethical decision making processes (Park, 2012, p. 141), here presented the two processes that can be applied in resolving an ethical dilemma. One example of ethical decision making process is the DECIDE model by Thompson, Melia & Boyd (Allen, Chapman, Francis, & O’Connor, 2008, p. 5) and the Integrated ethical decision-making model which was derived from the combination of the different ethical decision-making models strengths (Park, 2012, p. 140). These two ethical decision-making model steps are identical to each but differ on the detailed instruction on how the steps are to be done or used in actual case. By comparing the two models the integrated ethical decision-making model have a detailed instruction. The