Explain The Ethical Issues Related To The Supervisor

Explain the ethical issues related to the supervisor

Refer to the Course Case Study involving Lily and Jack, where issues of supervision arose when Lily, a licensed mental health professional, went on medical leave and left Jack to manage clients in her absence. Lily’s decision to have Jack continue work without direct supervision, and her subsequent withdrawal of supervision responsibilities, raise significant ethical concerns relevant to the ACA's ethical guidelines under Section F, which pertains to supervision and consultation. The primary ethical issues related to the supervisor, Lily, include her neglect in providing continuous supervision and oversight, risking the welfare of clients and the integrity of care. Her decision to leave Jack without proper supervision or clear directives, especially regarding a complex case involving potential psychosis, violates the ACA's ethical standards requiring supervisors to ensure competence, to supervise responsibly, and to prioritize client well-being (ACA, 2014). Furthermore, her failure to maintain communication and provide guidance during her absence compromised ethical practice, creating a risk of harm to clients and undermining trust in the supervisory relationship. Her unilateral decision to discontinue supervision without ensuring Jack was prepared or competent reflects a breach of her ethical obligation to uphold professional standards and to protect client interests. Such actions are incompatible with the ACA's standards asserting that supervisors must provide ongoing oversight, support, and ensure supervisee accountability (ACA, 2014). As a supervisor, her responsibilities include fostering a safe, ethical practice environment, offering guidance, and stepping in when supervisees face uncertainties, especially in situations involving complex clinical decisions (Falender & Shafranske, 2017). In this case, her neglect to do so constitutes a significant ethical breach and could threaten the safety and well-being of clients under her supervision.

Explain the ethical issues related to the supervisee/student

Regarding Jack, the supervisee, the ethical issues are centered on his responsibilities to clients, his conduct during supervision, and his use of professional judgment in complex situations. Jack’s decision to proceed with an intake assessment for a client displaying signs of psychological distress, after being unable to contact Lily, highlights accountability and the importance of consulting supervisors, especially in uncertain clinical situations. His attempt to research online and try out techniques independently without supervisory guidance could be seen as a breach of the ethical standards that emphasize the supervisee’s obligation to seek supervision and to act within their competence (ACA, 2014). While Jack’s motivation to help the client was evident, ethical practice requires supervisees to understand their limits and to seek supervisor input when faced with clinical complexities (Watkins, 2016). His decision to proceed without supervision, although motivated by a desire to provide care, violates the ACA’s ethical standards emphasizing the supervisee’s duty to collaborate with supervisors and to adhere to established guidelines. Additionally, Jack’s assumption that Lily would be responsible for oversight during her absence could reflect a lack of understanding of the expectations for supervisees to proactively seek supervision and guidance, especially when handling cases beyond their current competence (Bernard & Goodyear, 2014). Ethically, supervisees must demonstrate professional responsibility by recognizing their limits, consulting supervisors, and ensuring client safety, which Jack’s actions in this scenario initially compromised. Nevertheless, his effort to manage the situation reflects a commitment to client welfare, underscoring the need for clear supervision protocols to support beginner clinicians in complex cases.

Examine the influence of your own personal values as it relates to the issues presented in the case

As an aspiring mental health professional, my personal core values influence my response to the ethical dilemmas presented in this case. Values such as responsibility, integrity, client welfare, and professionalism shape my perspective on supervision and client care. Growing up in a culturally diverse environment, I have been raised to prioritize respect for others, ethical accountability, and the importance of clear communication. These values emphasize the necessity of maintaining ongoing supervision, especially when working with vulnerable populations, and underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in clinical practice (Schank, 2018). The situation involving Lily and Jack highlights the critical role supervision plays in safeguarding client well-being, aligning with my belief that clinicians have an ethical obligation to seek guidance and uphold standards of competence. My personal values further reinforce the importance of proactive communication and ethical responsibility to clients, which would influence me to advocate for better supervision protocols and clear policies in clinical settings. Moreover, I believe that establishing a strong ethical foundation rooted in honesty, respect, and accountability ensures the integrity of mental health practice and fosters trust among clients, supervisees, and supervisors alike (Corey et al., 2018). Therefore, I am committed to ethical vigilance, continuous learning, and advocating for ethical practices in supervision and client care, drawing from my values to ensure responsible and compassionate practice.

Compare the violations to the APA's ethical standards and describe the similarities or differences in the ethical code

Comparing the ACA’s ethical standards with the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct reveals both similarities and nuanced differences in addressing supervision and ethical practice. Both codes emphasize prioritizing client welfare, maintaining competence, and ensuring responsible professional conduct (APA, 2017; ACA, 2014). The APA’s Standard 2.05 (“Delegation of Work to Paraprofessionals”) and Standard 2.06 (“Personal Problems and Conflicts”) advocate for psychologists to supervise appropriately and to refrain from delegating tasks unless qualified, ensuring the supervisee is adequately prepared and that supervision occurs effectively. This aligns closely with the ACA’s standards requiring supervisors to provide ongoing oversight, foster ethical development, and ensure supervisee accountability (ACA, 2014). In the case, Lily’s failure to provide supervision and her abandonment of oversight contradict both ethical codes, which stress the duty to oversee and support supervisees actively. Similarly, Jack’s actions to proceed without supervision could be viewed as a breach of ethical responsibility under both standards, which emphasize supervisee obligations to seek supervision when necessary. The key difference lies in language and emphasis: the APA standards explicitly address delegation and the supervision of specific tasks, often in a research or clinical setting, while the ACA focuses more broadly on the supervisory relationship and professional development (Shapiro & Sweeney, 2014). Overall, both ethical frameworks advocate preventing harm through active supervision and responsible practice, and the violations in this case reflect breaches of these core principles across both codes.

Describe the recommendations you have for the supervisor

As a member of the ACA ethics committee, I would recommend that Lily, the supervisor, undertake specific actions to address her ethical breaches and restore professional standards. First, she should participate in ongoing ethical training and supervision to reinforce her responsibilities regarding client safety, supervision, and ethical decision-making. Engaging in reflective practice and seeking consultation from senior clinicians or ethics boards could help her understand the importance of continuous oversight and her duty to provide ongoing supervision, even during personal health crises (Falender & Shafranske, 2017). Second, Lily should develop a formal supervision policy that clearly delineates expectations during her absence, including protocol for client care, communication channels with supervisees, and contingency plans for unforeseen circumstances. This policy would ensure that supervisees like Jack are adequately supported and that accountability remains high (Bernard & Goodyear, 2014). Third, she should re-establish supervision with Jack promptly, providing guidance on handling complex clinical cases, especially those involving potential psychosis, and encouraging ethical reflection about the importance of acting in the best interests of clients. Finally, Lily should seek personal therapy or supervision herself to address any issues relating to burnout, health, or boundary-setting that contributed to her lapse. These steps would foster a culture of ethical responsibility, accountability, and professionalism, aligning her conduct more closely with ACA standards (ACA, 2014; Shapiro & Sweeney, 2014).

Describe the recommendations you have for the supervisee/student

For Jack, I would recommend engaging in comprehensive professional development focused on clinical competence, ethical awareness, and the importance of supervision. First, Jack should recognize his limitations by actively seeking supervision and consulting with experienced colleagues when working with complex cases. Enhancing his understanding of clinical assessment and crisis intervention through targeted training would help him make more informed decisions (Watkins, 2016). Second, Jack should establish clear communication with his supervisor, Lily, and adhere to organizational protocols for reporting concerns, client progress, and ethical dilemmas. Developing skills in supervision and documented communication can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure accountability (Bernard & Goodyear, 2014). Third, Jack should participate in reflective practice, possibly through journaling or peer consultation groups, to critically evaluate his clinical decisions and emotional responses. This would foster ethical sensitivity and professional growth while reinforcing a client-centered approach (Corey et al., 2018). Fourth, he must familiarize himself with ethical standards and legal requirements related to clinical practice, especially concerning client safety and crisis management, so that he can act responsibly when unexpected situations arise. These strategic steps will equip Jack with the tools and ethical mindset necessary for responsible practice and contribute to his ongoing professional development (Shapiro & Sweeney, 2014).

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/Resources/CodeOfEthics/TP/Home/CT2.aspx
• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
• Bernard, J. M., & Goodyear, R. K. (2014). Fundamentals of clinical supervision. Pearson.
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., Corey, C., & Callanan, P. (2018). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. Cengage Learning.
• Falender, C. A., & Shafranske, E. P. (2017). Supervision essentials for the practice of psychology. American Psychological Association.
• Shapiro, S., & Sweeney, T. (2014). Principles of ethical supervision in mental health practice. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 9(1), 12-24.
• Schank, M. J. (2018). Cultural considerations in clinical supervision—Ethical implications. Ethics & Behavior, 28(3), 207-222.
• Watkins, C. E. (2016). Supervision and ethics: Building a foundation for responsible practice. Counseling Today, 58(2), 20-25.