Ethical Dilemmas In Counselling

ETHICAL FRAMEWORK, LIMITS OF PROFICIENCY AND THE LIMITATIONS ON COUNSELLORS COMPARED TO OTHER PROFESSIONS THAT USE COUNSELLING SKILLS.

The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions provides the foundations and guidelines for ethical understanding and good practice in counselling work. This enables a counsellor to practice safely in private practice or within an agency. Different agencies may work with other frameworks, for instance the National Counselling Society (NCS), who support counselling and related therapies, and are closely linked with the NHS. (Nationalcounsellingsociety.org). The BACP framework can’t inform a counsellor of specific rights or wrongs, but outlines the values, principles and moral qualities that a counsellor should adhere to, which helps with guidance and ethical decision making and safeguarding client and counsellor. (BACP, 2015)

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

Before a counselling session starts it is important that the client understands confidentiality. To be able to understand this the counsellor must explain to the client that anything they say within the

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.

I intend to show an understanding of the ethical framework for good practice in counselling, relating it to practice and also my own beliefs and opinions, how this influences the counselling relationship, I will also show the need for protection of self and client.

Using the inclusive Model of Ethical Decision Making (Chenoweth and McAuliffe 2012), I will unpack and discuss in supervision the potential ethical dilemma of undertaking a custodial-orientated (i.e restricted intervention) activity which could impact the relationship between the client and the service.

In journalism, an ethical dilemma is a complex issue or situation that often involves an emotional and psychological conflict between moral obligations and duties, in which to obey one would transgress the other. Within the media there are many stories that can be deemed an ethical dilemma; some more so than others. One of the most recent and prominent ethical dilemmas was the worldwide coverage surrounding the shooting of two American WBDJ journalists, Alison Parker and Adam Ward. Despite the fact that the shooter filmed the ordeal clearly showing the two slain journalists being shot, news outlets had picked it up and ran with the story, which ultimately went viral in minutes. This essay will analyse and thoroughly examine the reporting

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.

If I were to consult with my close friend’s daughter, the friend would want me to talk to her about the information that was discussed in the sessions. Because of the confidentiality agreement, I would not be able to discuss these things with her. This may cause the close friend to have hard feelings towards me because I would not be able to relay the information. This would be because she would be viewing me as a friend and not as a professional doing my job. While these guidelines are simple and easy to grasp, it is impossible to completely avoid dual relationships on a daily basis (Gottlieb, 1993). Therefore, I would not take a chance on conducting business with my close friend. I would much rather prefer to refer her to someone else who is also very proficient in adolescent counseling.

In doing so, this essay will review examples of potential risk and will: a) Define, detail and explain each type; b) clarify any possible legal implications, distinguishing between possible legal and professional conduct ramifications; and c) clarify their potential impacts on the client, counsellor, reputation’ s and community perceptions. The three examples that were selected for this review were: a) Client rights to autonomy; b) confidentially, and c) boundary transgressions. 100+200

There will be many scenarios that can challenge a counselor. However, when there are specific cases that involve harm to the clients’ person or another a counselor must follow the processes outlined in the bylaws of the American School Counselor Association. These outlined processes serve two important purposes, the purpose of protecting the client and the purpose of protecting the counselor. This paper will answer questions in response to the scenario of Angela.

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.

Since beginning the Counselling Skills course, it has become increasingly obvious that I use counselling skills in my professional role. This involves working with young people from the early years through to senior stages, through an infinite number of issues from self harm to sexual orientation, allowing me to gain a thorough understanding and empathic knowledge of issues that affect children and young people in society today. Many of these youngsters will come to me looking for an answer to whatever their problem or issue and to be told what to do to improve their situation. I make a very conscious decision to withhold my views or advice, unless it is

Name two important circumstances in which counsellor would consider breaching confidentiality. What factors would need to be considered and what steps might be taken, before making this decision?