Professional Counseling Cases

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

Mental Health Clinicians are aware that judicial systems examine professional codes of ethics to assess the customary standard of care (Moline et al., 1998). The judicial system will also evaluate best practices of how the conventional clinicians may possibly respond under similar situations and conclude whether a legal obligation by a clinician has been breached (Moline et al., 1998). This standard of conduct is customarily

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.

Ethical issues in the mental health professions will arise in a counselor’s profession. Therefore, in order to keep clients and or patients safe, as a mental health profession it is important to understand the primary purpose of a code of ethics. These guidelines are incorporated to safeguard the welfare of clients by providing what is in their best interest. Nonetheless, these codes and guidelines are also designed to safeguard the public and to guide professionals in their work so that they can provide the best service possible (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 1998, p. 539)

Throughout my 13-year career in the Human Services field, spending the majority of that time working with adolescent girls in residential treatment facilities, I am very much aware of the risks that exist with regard to sexual relationships between professionals and clients. In that time, it came to my attention that at least three employees at programs where I was employed had sexual relationships with clients. In addition to the ethical issues that arose from these situations, all of the clients were under 18 years of age so the actions of these employees had legal ramifications. Many of our clients had been victims of sexual abuse prior to admission into our program. I always viewed our programs as safe places where clients would be treated with respect and could develop strong therapeutic relationships with both their counselors and program staff members. Unfortunately, the actions of a few had a detrimental effect on our programs and also the lives of our clients. Having dealt with these issues and focusing on ethical decision-making throughout my education and professional career, the ethical dilemma of

David Kaplan discusses the Code of Ethics while counseling in his Journal “Ethical Implications of a Critical Legal Case for the Counseling Profession: Ward v. Wilbanks”. In this journal the case Ward v. Wilbanks is discussed on the basis of discrimination and refusal of counseling. This journal explores the background of a case filed by the ADF ( Alliance Defending Freedom, formally known as the Alliance Defense Fund) on behalf of Julea Ward against Eastern Michigan University.

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

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.

Breaking confidentiality is a serious ethical component in counseling and must be considered very carefully before doing so. Each state has laws regarding the disclosure of confidentiality whether it to the courts, the clients, relatives, lawyers, schools, or other unbiased parties (Corey et al., 2015). It is very important that the therapist is aware of the laws in regards to disclosure of confidentiality in the state in which they practice to ensure that they are practicing in an ethical manner and to avoid any legal

A paper discussing the ethical issues from a video that discuss cases that are regarding barter, boundaries crossing and violation, touching, receiving and giving gifts, and termination of care. The ACA code of Ethics and Michigan States Rules and Regulation for Professional Counselors on the ethical issues of barter, boundaries crossing and violation, touching, receiving and give gifts, and termination of care are summarized. My feelings toward the cases that were discussed in the video regarding the ethical issues and topics of barter, boundaries crossing and violation, touching, receiving and give gifts, and

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.

This essay is an evaluation of two counselling models applied to a situation where a client has experienced loss and how a counsellor can create a therapeutic relationship with the client using each counselling model. It will also contain other skills a counsellor could use to obtain/maintain a good therapeutic relationship with the client.

The first ethical issue that counselors have to worry about in counseling children is to be a competent counselor. It includes that the counselor must be familiar with child and adolescent development. Also, in order to be competent in counseling children, a counselor must frequently participate in trainings, specialized education, and supervised practice (Henderson & Thompson, 2011). Another ethical issue in counseling minors is privacy and confidentiality. According to the American Counseling Association (ACA) (2014) Code of Ethics, when counseling minors a counselors protect the confidentiality of information received (ACA, 2014, B.5.a). Counselors also have responsibilities with the child’s parents such as inform parents about the role of counselors and the confidential nature of the counseling relationship (ACA, 2014, B.5.b). When a counselors needs to release confidential information, he needs to seek permission from the child’s parents, legal guardians, or the appropriate third party in order to disclose the information (ACA, 2014, B.5.c). According to Henderson and Thompson (2011), children have to have their parents’ consent to see a

In the coaching discussion it was not said that my conduct was not meeting expectations, but not allow myself to be in situations where it appears I’m being insubordinate.