Eloise Is A High School Counselor Who Is Presently Experienc

Eloise Is A High School Counselor Who Is Presently Experiencing a Trau

Eloise is a high school counselor who is presently experiencing a traumatic personal crisis. Her only son was killed in a drive-by shooting. Many of the students in her school are gang members. She becomes aware of increasing countertransference and at times has an impulse to lash out at some of her student counselees. Eloise is frequently overcome by grief and is aware that her effectiveness as a counselor is severely impaired. Eloise confides in her colleague, Peter, all the ways she is being negatively affected by the death of her son. Peter is supportive and recommends that she seeks professional counseling. She does not follow through on this recommendation. Peter is made aware that some of her counselees are being negatively affected by her impairment. After reading the case study for Unit 2, what ethical responsibility does Peter have in this case? How would you deal with Eloise?

Paper For Above instruction

The case of Eloise presents a profound ethical dilemma rooted in the responsibilities of mental health professionals to ensure the well-being of their clients while managing their own personal crises. As a high school counselor grappling with intense grief and potential countertransference, Eloise's impairment raises concerns about her capacity to provide competent and ethical care to her students. Her colleague, Peter, faces the critical ethical obligation to address this situation appropriately, ensuring that students are not adversely affected by Eloise's compromised state and that she receives the necessary support.

Ethical Responsibilities of Peter

The American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW, 2021) emphasize that counselors must prioritize client welfare and uphold the standard of providing competent and ethical services. When a colleague exhibits signs of impairment that may harm clients, ethical codes explicitly require intervention. Peter’s primary obligation is to ensure that Eloise’s impairment does not negatively impact her students' well-being. This encompasses evaluating the level of risk posed by her condition and taking appropriate action.

According to the ACA (2014), counselors are encouraged to promote the well-being of colleagues and intervene when a colleague’s competence is compromised. The ethical sequence involves first discussing concerns directly with the colleague, if appropriate, and encouraging her to seek the necessary assistance. If her impairment persists or if she refuses help, the ethical obligation extends to informing appropriate supervisory or organizational authorities to protect clients.

Further, Peter has an ethical duty to consider the potential harm to students resulting from Eloise’s impaired judgment. Given the high-risk environment with students involved in gangs, her lapses in emotional regulation and countertransference could result in misconduct or harm. Therefore, he must act to safeguard students, possibly by reporting the concern to school administration or a designated mental health authority, consistent with confidentiality considerations and ethical guidelines.

Dealing with Eloise

Dealing with Eloise requires a sensitive, compassionate, yet ethically sound approach. The first step involves initiating a confidential conversation where Peter expresses concern for her well-being and the potential impact on her professional responsibilities. This conversation should be non-judgmental and supportive, acknowledging her grief while emphasizing her ethical obligation to stay effective in her role.

Encouraging Eloise to seek personal counseling is paramount. Given her reluctance, Peter might offer to assist her in finding appropriate mental health services, possibly providing referrals to therapists experienced in dealing with grief, trauma, and impairment among counselors. It is essential to underscore that seeking help is a sign of strength and professionalism, not weakness.

If Eloise remains resistant or if her impairment continues to threaten her ability to serve students effectively, Peter is ethically compelled to escalate the matter to school authorities or a licensing body. This may involve reporting concerns to a supervisor or ethical review board, ensuring that there are documented efforts to support Eloise and protect students.

Throughout this process, maintaining confidentiality and demonstrating empathy are crucial. The goal is to support Eloise while upholding her dignity and ensuring that her personal crisis does not compromise her professional responsibilities or the safety of her students.

Conclusion

Eloise’s case exemplifies the complex intersection of personal trauma and professional ethics in counseling. Peter, as a colleague, has an ethical responsibility to intervene appropriately by encouraging her to seek personal help, supporting her throughout the process, and ultimately taking action if her impairment persists. Ensuring that students’ needs are prioritized while respecting Eloise's dignity underscores the core values of the counseling profession. This situation highlights the importance of ongoing professional boundaries, self-awareness, and organizations’ roles in supporting practitioners through personal crises to maintain ethical standards in educational settings.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. American Counseling Association.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2021). NASW code of ethics. NASW.
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