Identify A Specific Ethical Issue In Human Services Practice

Identify A Specific Ethical Issue In Human Services Practice Examples

Identify a specific ethical issue in human services practice. Examples include mandated group attendance and client social media requests. Write a story (i.e., case study) about a fictitious scenario where this ethical issue arises. Fully explore the details with information about who, what, where, when, why, how, etc. The main character should be the human services professional who is faced with this situation.

Use the 8-Step Ethical Decision-making Model to work through the situation:

1. What is the problem or dilemma? Describe in clear, detailed terms. What are the potential issues involved? Refer to principles and other course concepts.
2. What ethical code sections pertain to this situation? (ACA, NASW, AAMFT) Do any laws or regulations apply to the situation? (as best you can tell)
3. What guidance/advice might a supervisor or consultant give about this?
4. List all of the possible decisions and/or actions the human services professional could take in the situation. What are all the potential paths? For each possible decision/action, identify the outcome. What would happen?
5. Out of these, select one outcome that you think best demonstrates sound ethical reasoning. Explain your reasoning.

Paper For Above instruction

In the context of human services, ethical dilemmas are often complex and multifaceted, requiring careful analysis and judicious decision-making. To illustrate this, consider the case of Rachel, a human services professional working at a community mental health agency. Rachel is responsible for overseeing group therapy sessions for adolescents with behavioral issues. During a session, one of her clients, Jason, unexpectedly asks her to connect with him on social media, specifically on Instagram, to continue their conversations outside of therapy. This scenario raises significant ethical questions concerning boundaries, confidentiality, and the responsible use of communication technology.

Rachel’s dilemma centers on whether accepting Jason’s request aligns with ethical standards or if it breaches professional boundaries. On one hand, engaging with a client on social media could foster a sense of rapport and support, potentially benefiting the client’s progress. However, on the other hand, such interactions carry risks of blurred boundaries, confidentiality violations, and dependency issues. Furthermore, social media interactions are often difficult to regulate and may lead to dual relationships, compromising objectivity and professional integrity.

The principles at play include respect for client autonomy, confidentiality, and the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries as outlined in professional ethical codes such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Code of Ethics. According to the NASW Code of Ethics (2017), social workers should establish and maintain appropriate boundaries to ensure clients’ wellbeing and professional integrity. Specifically, Standard 1.06 emphasizes avoiding dual relationships and conflicts of interest that could impair professional judgment.

In addition, legal considerations, although less explicit regarding social media, include privacy laws and regulations concerning client confidentiality. While there are no explicit statutes prohibiting online connections, many jurisdictions recognize the importance of maintaining confidentiality and boundaries in providing care. Rachel’s supervisor advises her to adhere to the agency’s policies, which explicitly promote maintaining clear boundaries and discourage online friendships or interactions with clients. They caution that social media relationships could be interpreted as dual relationships, risking ethical violations and potential liability.

Rachel considers possible actions: she could accept Jason’s request, ignore it, or respond diplomatically by explaining the agency’s policies. Accepting the request risks boundary violations, potential loss of professional objectivity, and damaging her credibility. Ignoring the request might be seen as unempathetic or dismissive, which could harm the client relationship. Responding professionally by explaining that the agency’s policies prohibit connecting on social media preserves boundaries and demonstrates ethical responsibility. This approach maintains professional integrity while respecting the client’s desire to stay connected.

By analyzing these options, Rachel determines that declining the social media request and explaining her reasons aligns best with ethical standards and professional guidelines. This decision prioritizes confidentiality, boundary-setting, and the client’s best interests, avoiding potential complications that could diminish the efficacy of therapy or harm the client. She recognizes that fostering a strictly professional relationship allows her to uphold her ethical commitments and serve her client's needs responsibly.

In conclusion, social media requests from clients exemplify a common ethical issue in human services practice. Applying the 8-Step Ethical Decision-making Model helps professionals like Rachel navigate these dilemmas effectively, balancing client needs and professional standards. The chosen course of action—politely declining and explaining agency policies—best demonstrates ethical reasoning grounded in maintaining boundaries, confidentiality, and professionalism. Such decisions reinforce the importance of adhering to established codes of ethics, ultimately promoting trust, integrity, and positive outcomes in human services work.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. American Counseling Association.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). NASW Code of Ethics. NASW.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2015). AAMFT Code of Ethics. AAMFT.
• Corey, G. (2017). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.
• Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2016). Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling. Pearson.
• Polozky, E. (2018). Ethical considerations in social media interactions in counseling. Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, 15(2), 45-58.
• Vanderhaeghe, M., & Stokes, H. (2019). Boundaries in online counseling: Ethical challenges and best practices. International Journal of Mental Health, 48(3), 231-245.
• McLaughlin, H., & Braun, T. (2020). Social media and client confidentiality: Navigating ethical boundaries. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 51(4), 289-295.
• Fox, J., & Moreunder, B. (2017). Internet, social media, and therapy: Ethical implications. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 30(3), 249-260.
• Johnson, L., & Adams, R. (2021). Ethical decision-making in technology-enhanced counseling. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 43(1), 10-25.