Janet Has Been Seen By You For Treatment Of Depression ✓ Solved

Janet Has Been Seen By You For Treatment Of Depression On Intake She

Janet has been seen by you for treatment of depression. On intake, she disclosed that she was in AA and had been sober for 6 months. Janet seems to be happy with her progress, but after a few sessions, she seems to be noncommunicative and upset. After six sessions, she discontinues therapy with you. You learn that she has engaged another counselor who treats alcohol use and co-occurring disorders.

This morning you received notice from your licensing board that Janet filed a complaint against you alleging that you attempted to treat Janet’s addiction to alcohol and that you did not have the expertise necessary to do so. You are a Licensed Professional Counselor but you have not obtained training in addictions. Based on this information, answer the following questions: Does Janet have a valid complaint? Why or why not? How would you respond to the Licensing board complaint? How would you avoid this type of complaint in the future?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The scenario presents a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who provided depression treatment to Janet, a client with a history of alcohol use, and is now facing a complaint from her alleging unqualified treatment for alcohol addiction. This situation raises important ethical, legal, and professional considerations regarding scope of practice, competence, and boundaries in counseling practice. This paper assesses whether Janet’s complaint holds validity, discusses appropriate responses to the licensing board, and outlines strategies to prevent similar issues in future practice.

Assessing the Validity of Janet’s Complaint

At the core of Janet’s complaint lies the concern that the counselor attempted to treat alcohol addiction without the necessary qualifications. According to the American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014) Code of Ethics, counselors must provide services within their scope of competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, and professional credentials. The counselor in this scenario is licensed as a professional counselor but clearly states they lack specialized training in addiction counseling.

Given this context, Janet’s allegation appears valid. It is an ethical breach to attempt to treat or address issues outside one’s competence, especially in complex areas like substance use disorders. If the counselor subtly integrated aspects of alcohol treatment without proper training or referral, this could constitute practicing beyond their scope, which is unethical and potentially harmful.

However, it is essential to recognize that initial intake and depression treatment does not inherently involve treating concurrent alcohol use unless explicitly directed or without proven competence. From the scenario, Janet’s previous disclosure about sobriety in AA suggests some awareness of her substance use, and her engagement with another counselor for alcohol issues indicates she feels her needs in that realm are better addressed by specialists. This further underscores that the original counselor did not claim expertise in addiction treatment.

Responding to the Licensing Board Complaint

When responding to a licensing board complaint, the counselor must demonstrate professionalism, transparency, and a commitment to ethical standards. An appropriate response would include:

1. Acknowledgment of the complaint: Recognize receipt and take it seriously.
2. Clarification of scope of practice: Clearly state that the counselor provided services within their competency, focusing on depression and general mental health, and did not claim or attempt to treat alcohol use disorders.
3. Documentation and evidence: Provide records of sessions, treatment plans, and notes that support the scope of services provided, including evidence that the counselor referred Janet to specialists for alcohol-related issues.
4. Commitment to ethical practice: Express a dedication to ethical practice and willingness to engage in additional training if needed to serve clients better.
5. Preventive measures: Outline steps taken or planned to ensure scope adherence in future practice, such as ongoing education or supervision.

This approach demonstrates transparency, acknowledges ethical boundaries, and shows a proactive stance toward professional development.

Strategies to Avoid Future Complaints

Preventing similar complaints requires proactive measures grounded in ethical practice and continued professional development. Key strategies include:

• Understanding scope of practice: Counselors must continually educate themselves about the limits of their competence and avoid treating issues outside their expertise without appropriate referrals.
• Seeking supervision and consultation: When encountering cases involving co-occurring disorders or specialties like addiction, counselors should consult with or refer to qualified professionals.
• Engaging in relevant training: Pursuing continuing education in areas relevant to one's practice, such as addiction counseling, enhances competence and confidence in handling complex cases.
• Clear client communication and documentation: Maintaining transparency with clients about scope and limitations, and documenting all disclosures, referrals, and interventions accurately.
• Referring when appropriate: Promptly directing clients to qualified specialists when their needs exceed the counselor's training or practice domain, respecting client autonomy and promoting ethical care.

Conclusion

In sum, Janet’s complaint holds validity as it appears she believes her counselor attempted to address her alcohol use disorder without possessing the necessary training or qualifications. The counselor’s ethical response involves transparent communication with the licensing board, providing documentation, and committing to ongoing professional development. To prevent similar issues, counselors must stay within their scope of competence, seek supervision when necessary, and prioritize client safety and ethical clarity. Upholding these principles ensures professional integrity and fosters trust with clients and regulatory authorities alike.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. ACA.
• Hanson, R. (2009). Ethical and legal issues in addiction counseling. Journal of Addictions & Offenders, 28(1), 12–25.
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2014). Ethical decision making in counseling and psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.
• McKellar, H., & Stewart, S. (2010). Professional boundaries and scope of practice in licensed mental health counseling. Counseling Today, 52(2), 14–18.
• Sherman, D., & Mathies, J. (2012). Continuing education and ethical practice in counseling. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 4(2), 135–149.
• Williams, K. (2020). Maintaining competence in specialized areas of counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 98(4), 413–423.
• Reamer, F. (2018). Social work values and ethics. Columbia University Press.
• Kaslow, N. J., & Webb, A. (2006). Ethical considerations in co-occurring disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 289–298.
• Ochberg, F. M., & Cleveland, T. R. (2016). Managing scope of practice in mental health counseling. Professional Counselor, 6(2), 124–132.
• National Board for Certified Counselors. (2021). Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. NBCC.