Details Write A 500–750 Word Paper Discussing How You

Detailswrite A 500 750 Word Paper In Which You Discuss How You Apply

Write a 500-750 word paper in which you discuss how you apply the basic ethical principles in behavioral health practice of autonomy, fidelity, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and honesty as they relate to two specific cases.

Case 1: A client with depression who has been seeing a therapist for a year has begun to get more depressed and has recently revealed an eating disorder that has been untreated for many years. This client is seeing you for case management services. In your capacity as a case manager, how can you ensure you are meeting the basic ethical principles listed above? Apply each of the principles to different aspects of the case you would reasonably expect to encounter.

Case 2: You have discovered that a client you have come to know and like has recently abused her son. This client has many stressors in her life including an unsupportive ex-husband who is not paying child support and does not visit his son, and a job that does not pay enough. These stressors are causing financial stress and little support for the client. She is a good mother other than this incident, and you would hate to see her son taken from her. In light of this case, what are you ethically and legally obligated to do? How would you work through your own conflicts in this case? How would your actions be aligned with the ethical principles of autonomy, fidelity, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and honesty? Address which principles a case manager must be most sensitive about to avoid violations and why it is especially important to safeguard these principles in each case. Include at least two scholarly sources to support your discussion.

Paper For Above instruction

The application of core ethical principles in behavioral health practice is crucial for maintaining professional integrity, promoting client well-being, and ensuring legal compliance. In the context of case management, ethical principles such as autonomy, fidelity, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and honesty serve as guiding standards to navigate complex situations ethically. This paper discusses how these principles can be applied to two distinct cases, highlighting their relevance and the importance of safeguarding specific principles to prevent ethical violations.

Case 1: Ethical Application in Managing a Client with Depression and Untreated Eating Disorder

In the first case, the client suffering from depression and an untreated eating disorder presents multiple ethical considerations. As a case manager, respecting the client's autonomy involves actively engaging the client in decisions about their treatment, ensuring they are informed and involved in planning interventions (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). It is essential to avoid paternalism and honor the client’s right to self-determination, including their choices about managing their mental health and treatment options.

Fidelity entails maintaining trust and loyalty to the client. This involves confidentiality, honesty about treatment limitations, and consistent support. For example, revealing the presence of the eating disorder to the healthcare team while respecting the client’s privacy demonstrates fidelity (Fletcher & Freeman, 2015). It also involves being reliable and ensuring follow-through on agreed-upon plans.

Beneficence, or acting in the best interest of the client, requires proactive intervention to address both depression and the eating disorder. This might include facilitating referrals to specialized services, monitoring risk factors such as suicidal ideation, and supporting the client’s overall well-being (Johnstone et al., 2018). Nonmaleficence, the obligation to do no harm, emphasizes the importance of avoiding actions that may exacerbate the client’s condition, such as dismissing their expressed concerns or failing to address their untreated eating disorder.

Justice involves equitably providing resources and support, ensuring the client receives the necessary care regardless of their mental health status. The case manager must advocate for services that meet the client’s complex needs, including mental health and nutritional support, without bias or discrimination (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Lastly, honesty is vital in maintaining transparency with the client about their condition and treatment options. Open communication fosters trust and encourages adherence to treatment plans. Overall, balancing these principles helps the case manager support the client ethically and effectively.

Case 2: Ethical Dilemmas in Addressing Child Abuse and Supporting a Client

The second case introduces a complex dilemma: discovering that a client has abused her son amid significant life stressors. Legally, the case manager is obligated to report suspected child abuse to authorities to protect the child, aligning with the principle of beneficence—acting to prevent harm (Miller et al., 2019). The obligation to safeguard vulnerable populations often supersedes the client’s right to confidentiality, especially in cases of harm or potential harm.

Ethically, the case manager must balance respect for the client’s autonomy with the need to protect the child. While supporting the client through her stressors and acknowledging her positive qualities, the case manager must prioritize the child's safety, which may involve mandatory reporting. Confidentiality may be limited when child safety is at risk, which is justified under nonmaleficence—preventing further harm to the child (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014).

Working through personal conflicts requires self-awareness and emotional regulation. Recognizing feelings of sympathy or disappointment, the case manager should adhere strictly to ethical and legal obligations without allowing personal biases to influence decisions (Shapiro & Younggren, 2019). Ethical sensitivity is crucial; in this case, safeguarding the child's well-being is paramount. The principle of justice demands fair and equitable treatment, ensuring the child’s safety without discrimination or neglecting family needs.

Honesty is inherently linked to transparency with the client, informing her of the legal requirements and steps taken. While maintaining empathy and confidentiality where appropriate, the case manager must communicate clearly about the necessity of reporting the abuse to ensure trust and compliance.

Conclusion

Applying ethical principles in behavioral health requires careful consideration of each case’s unique context. Respecting autonomy, ensuring fidelity, promoting beneficence, preventing harm through nonmaleficence, ensuring justice, and maintaining honesty guide case managers in making ethically sound decisions. Particular principles such as beneficence and nonmaleficence are especially critical in cases involving children and vulnerable populations, where safeguarding their well-being must take precedence. By understanding and strategically applying these principles, case managers can uphold their ethical responsibilities, foster trust, and promote positive outcomes for their clients.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Fletcher, J., & Freeman, M. (2015). Ethical issues in case management. Journal of Social Work Practice, 29(2), 133-147.
• Johnstone, L., et al. (2018). Ethical issues in mental health practice. World Psychiatry, 17(1), 107-113.
• Miller, S. D., et al. (2019). Child maltreatment and mandatory reporting: Ethical considerations. Child Abuse & Neglect, 93, 104009.
• Shapiro, S. L., & Younggren, J. N. (2019). Self-awareness and ethics in mental health practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 50(3), 172-179.
• SAMHSA. (2014). Child abuse and neglect prevention. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov