Assignment 3: Case Study On Ethical Decision Making

Assignment 3 Case Study Ethical Decision Makingread The Section Cou

Read The Section Cou

Assignment 3: Case Study: Ethical Decision Making Read the section " Course Case Study " and analyze the behavior of the counselor, as a professional, that you consider unethical or unprofessional. Write a brief summary of the questionable behavior. Substantiate the summary with reasons for your analysis. Next, identify how the counselor may have been in violation of the ACA Code of Ethics. Give the number and definitions of specific violations and compare these violations to the APA ethical standards.

In relation to these specific violations, describe the similarities or differences in the ACA and APA ethical codes. Finally, select an ethical decision-making model from those in your readings and apply the model to a minimum of one ethical dilemma you identified in the course scenario.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Ethical conduct is a fundamental aspect of professional counseling, serving to uphold the integrity of the discipline and protect client welfare. In the context of the case study provided in the course materials, analyzing the counselor's behavior is essential for understanding potential ethical violations and promoting best practices. This paper examines a specific instance of questionable professional conduct, evaluates the violations of the ACA Code of Ethics, compares these with the APA ethical standards, and applies an ethical decision-making model to one of the identified dilemmas.

Summary of Questionable Behavior

In the case study, the counselor engaged in behavior that compromised professional standards by developing a dual relationship with a client, blurring the boundaries between professional and personal interactions. The counselor also disclosed confidential information without the client's consent, violating confidentiality norms. These actions could harm the client’s trust and well-being, undermine the therapeutic process, and violate fundamental ethical principles guiding counselors.

This behavior is problematic because it breaches core ethical commitments to establish clear boundaries, maintain confidentiality, and prioritize client welfare. Engaging in dual relationships can lead to conflicts of interest, hinder objective professional judgment, and risk exploitation or harm. Similarly, unnecessary disclosure of confidential information breaches the trust and legal expectations of confidentiality that are central to counseling practice.

Violations of the ACA Code of Ethics

The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics (2014) explicitly addresses boundary issues and confidentiality. The most relevant violations include:

- A.5. Dual Relationships: Counselors should avoid dual relationships that could impair objectivity or increase the risk of harm. Developing a dual relationship with a client, as observed, violates this standard.

- B.1. Respect for Client Autonomy: Counselors are responsible for protecting client confidentiality, except under specific circumstances. Disclosing information without client consent breaches this standard.

- A.4. Privacy and Confidentiality: Counselors must ensure that client information is kept confidential and only disclosed with appropriate consent or legal obligation.

When compared to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2021), similar standards emerge:

- Standard 4.01 Maintaining Confidentiality: Ensures psychologists protect private information, aligning with ACA's confidentiality standards.

- Standard 3.06 Multiple Relationships: Addresses conflicts of interest related to dual relationships, similar to ACA's A.5.

The comparison reveals that both codes emphasize boundaries, confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest, although the ACA provides more detailed guidelines specific to counseling contexts, whereas APA standards are broader as they apply across psychology disciplines.

Comparison of ACA and APA Ethical Codes

Overall, the ACA and APA codes display significant alignment in their ethical standards related to dual relationships, confidentiality, and professional responsibility. The ACA Code of Ethics explicitly emphasizes the importance of boundary management within counseling practice, while the APA’s Ethical Principles focus on general principles and standards applicable across psychology. The nuances between the two primarily reflect the respective disciplinary focuses but maintain a shared commitment to ethical integrity and client protection.

Application of an Ethical Decision-Making Model

Among various ethical decision-making models, the Kitchener & Anderson (2011) Ethical Decision-Making Model provides a systematic approach for resolving ethical dilemmas. This model involves recognizing the ethical issue, applying ethical standards, determining the nature of the dilemma, and developing a course of action.

Applying this model to the dual relationship dilemma in the case:

1. Recognize the Ethical Issue: The counselor's development of a dual relationship with the client compromises professional boundaries, posing risks of harm and impairing objectivity.

2. Identify Relevant Ethical Standards: As identified, the relevant standards include confidentiality, dual relationships, and professional boundaries from both ACA and APA codes.

3. Determine the Nature of the Dilemma: The dilemma involves balancing the counselor’s desire to build rapport with the necessity to maintain objectivity, boundaries, and protect client welfare.

4. Explore Options and Apply Ethical Principles:

- Option 1: Terminate the dual relationship and establish professional boundaries.

- Option 2: Seek supervision or consultation to address the boundary issue.

- Option 3: Continue the dual relationship but implement safeguards to minimize harm.

Applying the principle of nonmaleficence (do no harm) and fidelity (trustworthiness), the best course is to eliminate the dual relationship and reestablish clear boundaries, as this aligns with ethical standards and prioritizes client welfare.

5. Implement and Reflect: The counselor should seek supervision, document decisions, and ensure that client trust and confidentiality are maintained.

This application underscores that adherence to ethical decision-making models facilitates responsible and professional conduct, even in complex situations.

Conclusion

The analyzed case highlights significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding dual relationships and confidentiality breaches. Both the ACA and APA codes underscore the importance of maintaining clear professional boundaries and protecting client confidentiality, with similar standards guiding practitioners across disciplines. Utilizing ethical decision-making models such as Kitchener & Anderson’s enables counselors to navigate dilemmas thoughtfully, ensuring actions align with ethical principles and promote client well-being. Continued ethical education and supervision are vital for fostering professional integrity and safeguarding clients within counseling practice.

References

  • American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics.
  • American Psychological Association. (2021). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
  • Kitchener, K. S., & Anderson, G. M. (2011). Ethical reasoning in counseling and psychotherapy. New York: Routledge.
  • Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2014). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2014). Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling (4th ed.). Pearson.
  • Barnett, J. E., & Johnson, W. B. (2018). Ethics Desk Reference for Counselors. American Counseling Association.
  • Zur, O. (2017). Standards and issues in counseling ethics. Routledge.
  • Knapp, S., & VandeCreek, L. (2012). Practical ethics for psychologists: A positive approach. American Psychological Association.
  • Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. Sage.
  • Pope, K. S., & Vasquez, M. J. T. (2016). Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide (5th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

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