Assignment 3: Case Study: Ethical Decision Making

Assignment 3: Case Study: Ethical Decision Making Read the Section Cou

Analyze the behavior of the counselor, as a professional, that you consider unethical or unprofessional from the provided case study. Write a brief summary of this questionable behavior, supported by reasons for your analysis. Identify how the counselor may have violated the ACA Code of Ethics by citing the specific sections and definitions, and compare these violations to the APA ethical standards. Discuss the similarities and differences between the ACA and APA codes of ethics. Select an ethical decision-making model from your readings and apply it to at least one ethical dilemma from the case study. The paper should be at least four pages long, not including the title and references pages.

Paper For Above instruction

The case study under examination presents a counselor whose behavior raises significant ethical concerns, notably in the realm of maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring client confidentiality. In the scenario, the counselor exhibits a pattern of overly personal disclosures, favoritism toward certain clients, and engaging in dual relationships that compromise objectivity and the integrity of the therapeutic process. Such behaviors undermine the core ethical principles essential to counseling practice, namely beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, and professional responsibility (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014).

Particularly, the counselor’s over-sharing of personal information constitutes a boundary violation, blurring the professional-client dynamic and potentially impairing the client’s perception of the counselor’s role. Furthermore, favoritism toward specific clients may lead to preferential treatment, thereby violating the principle of fairness and equal treatment mandated by the ACA (Section A.4.a). Engaging in dual relationships, especially those involving social or personal ties outside the counseling context, further compromises the counselor’s objectivity and could negatively impact the client’s well-being (ACA, Section A.6.a).

According to the ACA Code of Ethics, violations such as impaired professional boundaries and dual relationships are explicitly addressed. For instance, ACA (2014) Section A.4.a emphasizes that counselors shall avoid relationships that could impair their objectivity or cause harm, including dual relationships or conflicts of interest. In contrast, the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2017) also highlight maintaining appropriate boundaries to protect clients’ welfare (Standard 3.04). Both ethical standards converge in their emphasis on avoiding dual relationships and maintaining professional boundaries but differ slightly in language and scope, with the ACA providing more explicit guidance pertinent to counseling contexts.

While the ACA's emphasis on cultural competence and multidimensional ethical responsibilities is more pronounced, the APA’s standards focus broadly on psychological practice across various settings. The differences reflect each organization's unique focus areas but share the common goal of safeguarding client welfare and promoting ethical professionalism.

Selecting an ethical decision-making model to analyze this situation, the model proposed by Rest (1986) offers a structured approach encompassing moral awareness, moral judgment, moral motivation, and moral character. Applying this model to the case reveals that the counselor, perhaps unaware of the boundary violations (moral awareness), failed to adequately assess the ethical implications of personal disclosures and dual relationships (moral judgment). This oversight likely stemmed from a lack of moral motivation—the prioritization of personal interests over professional standards—and insufficient moral character, reflected in inconsistent adherence to ethical boundaries.

Using Rest’s model, the counselor should have recognized the ethical dilemma, evaluated the potential harm, and prioritized the client’s welfare over personal or relational gains. An ethical decision would involve setting clear boundaries, maintaining professionalism, and seeking supervision or consultation when uncertain (Rest, 1986). Such steps would help mitigate the risk of harm, uphold professional integrity, and adhere to both ACA and APA standards.

In conclusion, the behavior observed in the case study violates key ethical principles of counseling practice, including boundaries, confidentiality, and nonmaleficence. Comparing the ACA and APA codes demonstrates both convergence and nuanced differences that reflect their respective scopes and emphasis areas. Employing an ethical decision-making model such as Rest’s provides a systematic framework for addressing ethical dilemmas and reinforcing professionalism within counseling practice. Adherence to these standards not only safeguards client welfare but also enhances the integrity and reputation of the profession.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Washington, DC: APA.
• Rest, J. R. (1986). Moral development: Advances in research and theory. Praeger Publishers.
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2015). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2016). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling (5th ed.). Pearson.
• Knapp, S., & Vandecreek, L. (2012). Practical ethics for psychologists: A positive approach. American Psychological Association.
• White, C. (2018). Ethical issues in counseling. Counseling Today.
• Huang, L. N. (2018). Ethical standards in counseling: An analysis and comparison. Journal of Counseling & Development.
• Swisher, L. L., & Reyes, M. P. (2019). Navigating ethical dilemmas in counseling practice. Journal of Mental Health Counseling.
• Leach, M. (2020). Boundary crossing in counseling: Ethical and practical considerations. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.