Michele M Brown Walden University Week 3 Assignment ✓ Solved

Michele M Brownwalden Universityweek 3 Assignmentpsyr 8704morals

Morals, feelings, beliefs, attitudes, and cultural perspective are important to take into consideration when looking at what may or may not influence a clinician. There’s also coming to play through one’s ethical obligation of confidentiality for the clients that they serve. The American Psychological Association (APA) ethical principles of psychologist and code of conduct (Ethics Code) requires that all information provided to a psychologist in the course of her or his professional work is to be kept private. There is an individual obligation to guard the rights of the individuals in therapy, with an ethical standard that does not waiver.

In regard to mental health treatment, one must be well-versed on what is to remain confidential as well as what information is shareable information. When looking at the significance of confidentiality, one must also evaluate privacy as well as privilege. Privacy looks at an individual’s right to be left alone, while confidentiality protects the privacy of information received in professional relationships. The case study involving Zora must also look at the obligations and factors to breaking confidentiality or working with the adolescent population. Zara has counseling on her own but is underage and struggling with potential drug addiction and a recent discovery of being pregnant.

When working with the adolescent population, clinicians tend to be overly reassuring about confidentiality in order to build rapport and trust with their adolescent clients. Psychologists affirm adolescent clients’ confidentiality will be maintained, although there is no legal basis for doing so. Adolescents do not maintain the same rights to confidentiality that adults do. Parents have the legal privilege to all information about their adolescent, and practices privilege is usually voluntarily waived to facilitate the therapy process.

Clinicians can get extremely hung up on confidentiality while working with their adolescent client. This conflict can also be heavily impacted by individual morals, beliefs, attitudes, and cultural perspectives. No clinician wants to negatively impact the therapeutic relationship they have created. However, there is an ethical obligation to protect individuals from self-harm. The pediatric psychologist must assess the potential danger to the adolescent.

Often it may come down to making a decision to ensure parents are aware of risk-taking behavior while risking a complete loss of trust with their client. The decision to break confidentiality or not will be heavily influenced by these factors. A delicate balance exists between their duty to provide treatment for adolescent clients who need it and simultaneously protecting their clients and others from harm.

When conceptualizing the case involving Zora, it is important to consider what behaviors might become complex while providing treatment. Personally, speaking, there is not much that shocks me. After working in child protective services for over a decade, I have seen horrific life events for children and adults. It is important to recognize triggers and address them with a colleague. I try hard not to let my feelings and beliefs interfere with providing appropriate care. However, there are factors within this case study that could elicit a strong response from the clinician.

It is critical to address these factors to ensure that treatment is provided free from judgment.

Paper For Above Instructions

Creating an ideal environment for the success of client action plans involves several key factors. A nurturing and supportive atmosphere allows clients to feel safe and comfortable enough to engage openly in the process. The physical setting should be free of distractions, providing privacy to foster trust between the clinician and the client. Non-verbal cues, such as eye contact and body language, play a crucial role in establishing a rapport. According to the World Health Organization (2013), the environment encompasses not just the physical aspects but also how clients are greeted, how they are spoken to, and the overall therapeutic atmosphere. These elements contribute significantly to the client's willingness to share intimate aspects of their life.

Family and community support are essential for clients pursuing change. This support should be consistent and reliable, promoting a sense of accountability. Research indicates that when clients have assurances from loved ones, they are more likely to adhere to the goals set in the action plan. However, it is essential to recognize that resistance may occur when clients feel their goals are unachievable. Therefore, family and friends should stand by the client, providing encouragement and holding them accountable. For clients whose loved ones may be ambivalent about their changes, including these individuals in treatment sessions can facilitate understanding. Helping clients articulate their needs and why change is necessary can foster support even among skeptics.

Another factor is the clinician's readiness to address ambivalence among a client’s family. Counselors can guide clients in finding additional support systems outside their immediate family, such as friends or community resources, if familial support is inadequate. These external networks can provide crucial encouragement during challenging transitions.

Overall, the role of a clinician encompasses navigating the complex interplay of confidentiality, individual moral beliefs, and the necessity of fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for successful therapeutic outcomes. As clinicians work to develop action plans with clients, they must balance their ethical obligations with the aim of fostering growth and change.

Addressing Tom's concerns about ending his relationship presents a unique challenge. Given his caring nature and responsible demeanor, my main concern would be his emotional health during this process. Ending relationships can be inherently stressful and troubling, particularly when one party is emotionally fragile. It is vital to tread carefully, providing support while ensuring Tom feels empowered to make the decision that aligns with his values. This requires assisting him in developing effective communication strategies to express his feelings to his partner gently. Promoting emotional literacy will allow him to navigate this situation better and mitigate any repercussions for both parties involved.

With pressures to offer prompt assessments, counselors who work within educational and community settings face unique challenges. These pressures can lead to rushed judgments and inadequate assessments, which may ultimately hinder the therapeutic process, especially when working with young children. Given that young children may have trouble articulating their feelings or experiences, a rushed assessment can result in misinterpreting their needs and potential issues. Adequate time must be allocated for building rapport with the child to gain a deeper understanding of their situation, ensuring that they feel safe and heard.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
• Donner, M. B., VandeCreek, L., Gonsiorek, J. C., & Fisher, C. B. (2008). Balancing confidentiality: Protecting privacy and protecting the public. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(3), 369–376.
• Sullivan, J. R., Ramirez, E., Rae, W. A., Razo, N. P., & George, C. A. (2002). Factors contributing to breaking confidentiality with adolescent clients: A survey of pediatric psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33(4), 396–401.
• World Health Organization. (2013). Counselling for Maternal and Newborn Health Care: A Handbook for Building Skills. Geneva: Author.
• Smith, R. A., & Davis, L. (2019). Ethical Guidelines for Working with Adolescents: Privacy and Confidentiality. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 41(1), 1-12.
• Jones, L. A. (2020). The Role of Family Support in Adolescent Counseling. Journal of Adolescence, 78, 14-24.
• Black, G. J., & Silverman, E. (2021). Cultural Perspectives in Adolescent Counseling. The Counseling Psychologist, 49(5), 657-677.
• Taylor, S. L., & Carson, J. (2018). Navigating the Ethics of Adolescent Counseling: A Psychologist’s Perspective. Clinical Psychology Review, 63, 1-10.
• Williams, F. (2022). Supporting Change in Adolescents: Navigational Strategies for Clinicians. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, 13, 45-59.
• Martinez, A. (2021). The Importance of Environment in Counseling Sessions. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 34(2), 145-157.