Ethical Substance Abuse Counseling: Case Study

Every time health professionals claim to speak for the rights of others many questions arise within the bioethical community. Although altruism is a motivating mechanism of selfless care for others, it may have a dark side. Involuntary treatment for alcohol and drug abuse is a controversial tool used in medical care. The question of whether or not such treatment can be applied has been an unresolvable issue in bioethics for many years. Main ethical concerns often address questions of patient’s autonomy and health, doctor’s paternalism, and social wellbeing (Sjostrand and Helgesson 2008). The complex and multidimensional issue of

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.

A code of ethics stands for a set of principles of conduct set within an organization to assist or guide employees to making decisions and adhering to ethical behavior. It’s a set of guidelines that must be followed to make ethical choices when conducting work related matters. Code of ethics is an organizations form integrity. This paper will discuss what an appropriate code of ethics is, and summarize the features of deontological, consequentialist, and virtue of ethics in a professional code of ethics. It will also analyze both the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory in the context of the workplace.

To become an effective substance abuse counselor, there are six key points which include: knowing the principles of MI, being able to help strengthen a client’s coping skills, being able to utilize OARS, understanding Thomas Gordon’s Twelve Roadblocks, being knowledgeable about drugs, and having knowledge of assessing and Individualizing Evidence Based Treatment Plans.

The Global Criteria for the 12 Core Functions of the Substance Abuse Counselor, by John Herman, defines treatment planning as the process by which the counselor and client identify and rank problems, establish immediate and long-term goals, and decide on the treatment resources to be utilized.  Treatment planning begins as soon as initial assessments are completed.

Almost all professionals, at some point in their career, suspect or become aware of a colleague's unethical behavior. The ethical codes “place the responsibility for addressing problems of competence or unethical behavior of colleagues on the members of their profession” (Corey et al, 2015, p. 188). Counselors are obligated to address any conduct by a colleague that could cause harm to clients. College counselors, in the process of helping students, make decisions each day that require an understanding of professional ethics and state laws. Applying ethical standards and state laws to the numerous situations that arise is challenging because it involves values, knowledge, harm, unprofessional action, and professional judgment. This is particularly

The two parties of this case are the five appellants, Dr. Melissa A. Alves, Dr. Corey M. Arranz, Dr. Sandrine M. Bosshardt, Dr. Kensa K. Gunter, and the three defendants (appellees), the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, Dr. Jill Lee- Barber and Dr. Douglas F. Covey in their individual capacities. The appellants were full-time staff at the Georgia State University Counseling and Testing Center that were terminated due to the initiative of “reduction-in-force” led by Dr. Jill Lee-Barber, the Director of the Center and Dr. Douglass F. Covey, the Vice President of Student Affairs, in 2012.

This paper discusses the duty to warn and protect in counseling with a high focus with the laws in Ohio. It focused on the laws in dealing with the mentally ill and violent clients and how the Tarasoff legislation effected the laws in Ohio and how therapists handle these cases. Realizing violence is not something that can be predicted with perfection, there are tools that a therapist should follow to make sure they stay within compliance and maintain ethical standards to avoid possible legal ramifications. Through special relationship and good faith, the counselor will try to find ways of ensuring that the client and any named party is warned of potential danger.

Substance abuse counseling can be a rewarding career for anyone who has a desire to help people who are battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol. A substance abuse counselor can work in hospitals, prisons, therapeutic facilities, and halfway houses. The purpose of a substance abuse counselor is to help those who have an addiction manage it. In this paper I will be discussing Texas state counseling laws and the ACA ethics code and how these two can guide my work as a substance abuse counselor. I will also discuss the characteristics of a counselor, review my strengths and any challenges I may have as a counselor, and discuss my perceptions of substance abuse that may impact my ability to become an effective counselor.

This is a review of the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners meeting that occurred on August 18, 2015. A psychologist was brought to the Board on complaints from a client. The complaints will be listed, the psychologist’s response will be noted, and then the board’s decision will be provided. The meeting was a preliminary hearing to determine if a violation might have occurred. Several potential statute violations were considered but only Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 32-02061.15.O, providing services that are unnecessary or unsafe or otherwise engaging in activities as a psychologist that are unprofessional by current standards of practice, was passed as a potential violation that will require an informal interview to investigate further.

What are some of the things you believe that the counselor has learned from Steve? What are some of the counselor’s behaviors that may change as a result of working with Steve? Do you think that most people you come into contact with change you in some way? Explain.

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.

According to Porter, Gildon, & Zgliczynski (2000), people claiming to be counselors is a serious problem in the state of California because no formal standards are set for appropriate licensure except for that of a marriage counselor. This lack of standards and credentials causes many problems for those seeking advice and assistance with a particular problem. More importantly, the public is not protected even if they take a case to court and the “counselor” is found guilty. What is to be taken away? He can continue to practice because he does not have a certificate to begin with. Lreh

Sexual intimacies are another area in which similarities and differences can be observed between the two codes of ethics. Both codes of ethics prohibit sexual and romantic relationships between counselors and clients. Sections A.5.a and A.5.b of the ACA code of ethics clearly state this (American Counseling Association, 2005, p 5). This is also clearly stated in section 1-131 of the AACC code of ethics (AACC Law and Ethics Committee, 2004, p 8.). At this point, it is necessary to point out differences between these two codes of ethics in this regards. The AACC guideline clearly forbids sexual and romantic relationships with former clients but provides an exception as stated in section 1-133 where possible marriage is involved (AACC Law and Ethics Committee, 2004, p 8). On the other hand,

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: