Daphne's Role As A Counselor And Ethical Responsibilities

Daphne's Role as a Counselor and Ethical Responsibilities in Supporting Community

Nine-year-old Wanda's teacher has observed significant changes in Wanda's behavior, likely stemming from her exposure to traumatic events, including her brother's death and her parents' separation. The teacher seeks the assistance of Daphne, a counselor, to explore ways to support Wanda and her family. Although Daphne is not employed by the school, her role as a counselor involves providing emotional support, guidance, and appropriate interventions to children and families affected by trauma. In this capacity, Daphne can serve as a resource for the teacher by offering expertise on child trauma, recommending therapeutic strategies, and facilitating communication with Wanda’s family. She can also evaluate the need for grief counseling or mental health services to help Wanda process her loss and emotional distress, fostering resilience and healing.

In a community setting, counselors play a vital role in promoting mental well-being, providing crisis intervention, and advocating for vulnerable populations. They serve as facilitators who bridge services between children, families, and broader community resources, ensuring access to mental health care. Counselors in community environments also focus on prevention, education, and outreach, helping foster healthier relationships and coping skills among community members. They contribute to building supportive environments that address social determinants of health, reduce stigma surrounding mental health, and encourage early intervention.

Ethical responsibilities of counselors and human services professionals are outlined by codes such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. Notably, Ethical Standard A.4.b. emphasizes the importance of respecting clients' autonomy and confidentiality while being mindful of the welfare of the community. These professionals are ethically obliged to prioritize clients' well-being, ensure confidentiality (except in cases where disclosure is mandated or necessary to prevent harm), and provide competent services (ACA, 2014). They also have a duty to work within their scope of competence, seek supervision when needed, and promote justice and fairness in all interactions. In a community context, this involves balancing individual confidentiality with the need to address systemic issues and protect vulnerable populations from harm.

As an ethical counselor, I would approach the teacher’s request with sensitivity to Wanda’s privacy and emotional readiness. I would explain that, while I am committed to supporting Wanda and her family, any intervention must respect their wishes and adhere to ethical guidelines that protect client confidentiality. I would suggest initiating contact with Wanda’s parents to discuss their willingness to participate, emphasizing the importance of obtaining informed consent. My goal would be to establish a collaborative, respectful relationship that prioritizes Wanda’s emotional safety and promotes healing. I would also recommend connecting the family with appropriate mental health resources, such as grief counseling or trauma-informed therapy, and ensure that all actions are documented and carried out within ethical standards.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Corey, C. (2019). I never knew I had a choice: Explorations in personal growth and counseling (9th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. APA.
• Gilligan, S. (2000). Wounded children and their families: Interventions to promote healing. Routledge.
• Herman, J. L. (1997). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books.
• Hinz, L., & Goad, J. (2020). Community counseling techniques. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(3), 456-472.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). NASW code of ethics. NASW.
• Siegel, D. J. (2012). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are. Guilford Publications.
• Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. (2014). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). HHS Publication.
• Wallerstein, J. S., & Blakeslee, S. (2007). The unpredictable crisis: Understanding and helping grieving children. Child & Youth Services, 28(4), 1-20.