Terminating Counseling Relationship Paper

In my opinion the beginning of the counselling session is one of the most important stage of the process, the client will be very nervous and will not fully trust the process they are about to embark on, their unknown journey they will be nervous. The Client may hold back what they are feeling until they have gained the trust of the counsellor, and know they are safe and in a confidential environment.

Within the contract such things as the type of counselling being offered, number of sessions, the frequency of sessions, timing of sessions, length of sessions, payment and confidentiality should be discussed and agreed to by both the

According to the ethical and legal principles of the counseling profession, it is our morally professional responsibility to break confidentiality in order to eliminate the possibilities of chaos, to the best of our ability. The American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethics explains adherence to confidentiality in a number of instances. In standard A.2.e., Mandated Clients, it describes the requirements for informing mandated clients of the limitations to confidentiality and, should an issue arise, to whom the revealed information must be shared with. This rule applies to all clients. The counselor’s responsibility to do so must be conveyed to the clients at the very beginning of the counseling relationship, with periodic reminders throughout sessions, and include the dangers involved if the client refuses to participate in the mandated sessions. ACA code of ethics further explains in standard B.1.c., Respect for Confidentiality, that counselors are to guard “confidential information” and “disclose” this “information only with appropriate consent or with sound legal or ethical jurisdiction.” Therapists must also “identify situations” where breaches can void or challenge confidentiality (ACA, 2014, B.1.d., p. 7).

During the film Antwone Fisher (Black, Haines, & Washington, 2002) the therapist who worked with Antwone seemed to have Antwone’s best interest at heart, but still managed to violate some ethical codes. One of the first violations that I noticed was when he tried to terminate therapy with Antwone after only three sessions. Whereas he initially informed Antwone that he was only required to see him for three sessions, as the sessions progressed it seemed obvious to me that Antwone may need more, and even asked to come back for a fourth session. According to the 2014 American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, A. 11.c. Appropriate Termination, “Counselors terminate a counseling relationship when it becomes reasonably apparent that the client no longer needs assistance, is not likely to benefit, or is being harmed by continued counseling.” I think that the therapist trying to terminate therapy with Antwone after three sessions was an obvious violation of this ethics code as it was not in Antwone’s best interest, especially given how much distress it caused him.

It is important, during these final stages, that the counsellor and client can resolve any unfinished business and have time to consider the complex feelings about endings. According to Dryden and Feltham (1994), ‘a fear of loss may cause some clients to cling on to relationships in life and this will obviously have some bearing on the therapeutic relationship.’ As the counsellor, I need to be aware of what an ending might signify for the client, and for me, and manage these ethically and with the guidance of my supervisor.

The APA Ethical Principals of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (Section 4.09c) states, "Prior to termination for whatever reason, except where precluded by the patient's or client's conduct, the psychologist discusses the patient's or client's views and needs, provides appropriate predetermination counseling, suggest alternative service providers as appropriate and takes other reasonable steps to facilitate transfer of responsibility to another provider if the patient or client need ones immediately" (American Psychological Association, 1992, pp. 1597-1611).

According to Wester, Trepal, and Myers (2009, p. 91), “well counselors are more likely to produce well clients.” Thus, the mental, physical, and emotional health of the counselors has the ability to affect their clients. ACA (2005) states that “Counselors act to avoid harming their clients”. Moreover, counselors have an ethical obligation to evaluate, address, and improve their wellness when necessary (Wolf, Thompson, Thompson, & Smith-Adcock, 2014). Research shows that higher organizational stress was associated with lower client participation in the treatment program (Landrum, Knight, & Flynn, 2012). In addition, the working alliance between the counselor and the client is diminished due to high stress and burnout (O’Sullivan, 2012). A counselor who experiences burnout may lack empathy, respect, positive feeling, therapeutic gridlock, and or boundary violations (Wallace, Lee, & Lee, 2010). Therefore, it is vital for counselors to remediate their impairments when they occur. Counselors have to be aware of the signs and symptoms related to their own mental or emotional problems (ACA, 2005). Likewise, counselors should build resiliency against burnout. Resiliency is built by a continuation of healthy decision making (Wester, Trepal, & Myers, 2009). Counselors should seek help or assistance when they observe warning signs of personal impairment, not just for themselves, but for the wellbeing of

Counseling is a relatively young profession when compared to other mental health professions. In my brief personal and professional experience with the field, I have come to define counseling as a process of engagement between two people, both of whom are bound to change through a collaborative process that involves both the therapist and the client in co-constructing solutions to concerns.

James should have started discussing the process of termination at the beginning of the helping relationship because “letting the client know from the intake process and beyond the parameters of the relationship can be affirming, too. A client will less likely interpret the ending of the relationship as something personal, such as you don’t want to meet any more, you no longer like him or her, or you are frustrated with the client’s lack of progress” (Cummins et al., 2012, p.269).

Dual relationships and the ethical behavior that revolves around boundaries with clients present a multitude of very complicated situations to counselors where a clearly defined course of action is not always evident. Aside from no accord amongst mental health professionals and boundary issues being unavoidable at times, recognition and prediction of potential benefits or pitfalls correlated with dual relationships can prove to be troublesome as well (Remley & Herlihy, 2010). For most cases, it is best if an outline is used to discern when it is appropriate for a counselor to breach the client-counselor boundary.

Marring is a lifelong commitment between a man and women, therefore couples should be required to attend six months of marital counseling before getting a divorce. Couples should be required to attend six months of marital counseling before getting a divorce because it could possibly help to save their marriage, offers professional guidance and advice with the underlining issue which caused the couple to want to get a divorce, and provides the couple with closure on their decision. First, a couple should be required to attend marital counseling because it could possibly save their marriage. Most people are getting divorced because their better half changed. For example, when the couple was married, they were both in perfect

More than one counselor worked the case; the previous counselor is no longer with the agency.

There may be periods where a counsellor is not competent to engage in therapeutic relationship with a client. Name two cases where this may be so, and give reasons why terminating the relationship may be advisable?

Counsellors should take sufficient periods of time between clients in their clinic to allow for grounding, as counselling places considerable demands on the counsellor. Counsellors should also be mindful of the number of clients that they see in a typical week. Counsellors should only enter into a therapeutic relationship on a voluntary basis and as a result of an informed decision to do so. When a counsellor is experiencing difficulties such as emotional or personal difficulties, illness or any matter that impairs their functioning they should refrain from seeing clients. This may present as a challenge to many counsellors as they may often continue working for financial or feelings of obligation; however this is unethical and may leave the counsellor and the client

For years the counseling profession maintained a strict face to face technique of meeting with clients. This trend is being challenged as more people are finding it difficult to arrange appointments, find specialists,