Ethical standards in counseling and moral principles in group work have advanced over the past couple of decades solidly in the areas of treatment and the growth and development of individual participants singularly and together. Apart from the American Counseling Association (ACA), the National Association of Social Workers and the American Psychological Association, the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) come behind their own codes of ethics. While all these entities encourage significant values of trust, equal treatment, goodwill, and ethical standards of responsibilities for professionals it is imperative for persons …show more content…
Nevertheless, Herlihy and Dufrene (2011) found that the ACA system revised only every 7-10 years is restricted when counselors attempt to receive direction regarding new and emerging topics or problems. Thus, advisors need to look toward other resources and schemes appropriate in practicing and maintaining quality levels of ethical practice (Herlihy & Dufrene, 2011). Moreover, Leszcz and Kobos (2008) found that working with groups is always compound wherein counselors need to plan, assess, change or adjust, analyze, develop and keep a continuous record of the treatment in evidence- based manner and the AGPA guidelines might further improve the clinical experience. Achieving a full comprehension of ethical issues and considerations within the realm of individual and group counseling including why a therapist might choose group therapy over therapy sessions with one client and vice versa, requires leaders to assess and analyze the central or primary rule for leading groups. For instance, Jacobs, Schimmel, Masson, and Harvill (2016) found that the (ASGW) guidelines advocate that counselors should never “attempt any technique unless thoroughly trained in its use or under supervision by a counselor familiar with the intervention” (p. 28).
Counseling and Values
A study conducted by Herlihy and Dufrene (2011) using the Delphi technique obtained the consensus of a group of eighteen experts in current and growing ethical issues. 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
According to ACES, the best practice guidelines are intended to support supervisors in their work. The ACES’s guidelines are offered to augment the judgment of supervisors as they make it their requirement to offer ethical and legal protection of rights of supervisors, supervisees and clients, and meet professional needs of supervisees while protecting client welfare (ACES, Best Practices in Supervision, 2010). With regards to ACES practice guidelines there are other exceptional tools or standards available to ensure supervisors know crucial standards for their practice. The American Counseling Association created a “Journal of Counseling Development”: Standards of Counseling Supervisors (ACA/ACES, 1990, JCD v69 n 1, Pg. 30, Vol. 69).” The standards implemented is this journal are important to counseling supervisors toS develop core areas of knowledge, competencies, and personal traits that characterize
This paper will study through some of the diverse ethical issues that can arise within group therapy sessions, such as conflict and confidentiality. While discussing the ethical issues within group counseling we will take note of how these ethical issues may differ and compare to the ethical issues of those within individual counseling sessions. This paper will also discuss reasons why a therapist might choose to lead a group therapy session over individual counseling and vice versa. Throughout this paper you will be accurately informed of the ethical issues surrounding group therapy and individual counseling. As someone just starting
Counselors need to be guided by the ethical standards set forth by the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics. These standards define ethical conduct in the counseling profession, and provide guidance for maintaining professionalism in any situation. I have become familiar with many of the sections included in the ACA Code of Ethics from the research and assignments completed in this class. Garnering an awareness of the ACA Code of Ethics as it pertains to informed consent, confidentiality, professional responsibility, and resolving ethical issues, has given me confidence to discuss and evaluate the legal issues and ethical obligations associated with this profession. The section regarding professional responsibility of this document resonated with me the most, and elicited a feeling of confidence about counseling ethics and law, that was not present before this class. Professional responsibility sets the tone for everything else we do. As counselors, we must be guided by professionalism and high standards. Standard C.1 of the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) states that counselors have a responsibility to read, understand, and follow the ACA Code of Ethics, and abide by all applicable laws and regulations. While there are a plethora of legal and ethical issues that may arise for professional counselors throughout their careers, I feel that this class has given me a broad overview of how to be proactive and use appropriate decision-making tools to work
“Standard 2.01(a) requires psychologists to “provide services, teach, and conduct research with populations and in areas only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional experience” (Shiles, 2009). Counselors should remain inside their span of training, be mindful of the restrictions of his/her licensed expertise, be present at essential education programs and maintain their learning, use his/her own common sense, and be able to identify when referrals should be made. It should be the disposition of counselors to always value the mixture of their clientele, novices, and study partakers. The ACA Code of Ethics (2005) section A.4.b. Personal Values states, “Counselors are aware of their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors and avoid imposing values that are inconsistent with counseling goals” (Kaplan, 2014).
Furthermore, the American Counseling Association (ACA) governing Council approved the adoption of the 2005 ACA Code of Ethics, which the code is revised every seven to ten years providing an opportunity for counseling professions to examine current practices
As a counselor learns and practices the code of ethics, he or she will grow and mature as a professional. In my experience, it is not uncommon for ethical situations to arise in session; however, counselors must keep in perspective their role and responsibility as not to project onto clients or allow for countertransference. When faced with ethical decision making; a counselor is not required to make an independent or isolated decision. Ethical challenges are a part of the profession for counselors; therefore it is common practice to consult with colleagues or supervisors. An ethical counseling professional demonstrates sound judgement and determines the best outcomes for clients in complex
Boylin, J, & Scott, J. (2006). Practicum internship: textbook and resource guide for counseling and psychotherapy [Fourth Edition]. (Google E-book), Retrieved from http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Fusillo,+Maureen+C.+The+Willowbrook+State+School:+An+Oral+History.+Student+Project.+%5BS.I.+s.n.,+1994%5D.&tbo=u&tbs=bks:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=sp#sclient=psy&hl=en&tbs=bks:1&q=APA+Ethical+Principles+of+Psychologists+and+Code+of+Conduct&aq=0p&aqi=p-p2g2g-o1&aql=f&oq=&pbx=1&fp=1&cad=b
-Next Dorothy would need to identify her feelings. It is important to identify and sort out your own feelings about many things. This will take some effort.
A counselor is there to provide you with the skills and empowerment needed to work through your problems, and to receive help that is effective you must be open and honest. When and individual is open about their past life experiences, the counselor has an ethical obligation to keep all disclosure of past experiences within the counseling session (Ray, 2001). In group therapy, there are two things to consider when speaking of confidentiality; the leader’s ethical obligation for keeping all material confidential and the leader’s inadequacy of complete control concerning group members keeping group material confidential (Scher & Kozlowska, 2012). It is unethical for the leader to divulge information to anyone regarding individual therapy or group therapy; there are no exceptions to this rule (Jacobs et al, 2016). Regarding members keeping material, disclosure, and group membership confidential, the leader cannot guarantee this (Corey et al, 1995). In order to keep this leak of information from happening, it is important that the group leader stress the importance of confidentiality. When it has been discovered that a member of the group has breached
Organizations such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), lay the foundation for ethical strategies in the counseling culture. When therapists, leaders, or counselors exercise self-awareness, and are knowledgeable about ethical standards, clients are in a better position to overcome obstacles whether in group or individual counseling . Jacobs, Schimmel, Masson, and
Group counseling may be adverted to as a course of counseling, which takes a group of people coming together under one or more trained therapists, who simultaneously facilitate them and promote them to help one another to overcome their challenges. The group members are usually peers who may not necessarily face the same problem, but their problems may be linked. According to Jacobs, Masson, Harvill and Schimmel (2012), all members in a counseling group wish and desire personal growth. This kind of therapy has been employed over the years and it has produced excellent results in the lives of the group members.
In this report, critically evaluate and discuss key concepts, theories, or methods adopted of in the field of counseling pshcologhy and consequences of treatment interventions. In addition, report critically examines and evaluates ethical issues and guidelines consideration in making ethical decision in the field of counseling psychology. Lastly, report critically discusses knowledge of different topics related to the field of counseling psychology.
Guidelines for group psychotherapy practice provide group therapists with models of ethical behavior regarding responsibility to patient/client: respect for client’s dignity, rights, and autonomy; protecting
Counselors, like all professionals, have ethical responsibilities and obligations. The counseling literature contains numerous references to ethics and the legal status of the counselor, but for a number of reasons ethical problems pose particularly difficult situations for people in the various helping professions. First, clear-cut, specific ethical codes that provide adequate guidelines for ethical behavior in the very wide range of situations encountered in counseling relationships have yet to be evolved. Second, most counseling professionals work within the context of institutions such as schools, colleges, hospitals, churches, and private agencies whose institutional value systems may be quite