Notes On The American Association For Marriage And Family Th

Noteusing The American Association For Marriage And Family Therapy C

Noteusing The American Association For Marriage And Family Therapy C

NOTE: Using the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Code of Ethics please respond, using APA format, in a 2-3 page paper, to the following ethical dilemma from the text: You will need to include a cover page APA style, 2-3 page paper APA style, and Reference page APA style. You will not need an abstract page for any paper for this course, do not include the abstract page. The attorney representing the wife in a child custody fight has summoned you to court. You had worked with the husband, wife, and children for eight months before the divorce, and privately you believe that although the husband abuses alcohol without, in your view, being alcoholic, he would be the better primary custodian.

He seems to you more attentive and caring toward the children and better able to hold a well-paying job than the wife. The wife’s attorney makes it clear to you that she will ask you under oath about the husband’s drinking behaviors. Which ethical codes might you consider? What personal values may come into play as you make this decision? What would you do to ensure that you are not making a decision based solely on your personal values?

Will you seek consultation? If so how would you present your concern to your supervisor? If you would not seek consultation, please explain why. What questions would you ask yourself in order to arrive at the best decision for the client? What would be your ultimate solution for addressing this ethical dilemma? What would be the outcome for everyone involved?

Paper For Above instruction

Addressing ethical dilemmas in marriage and family therapy requires careful navigation through the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Code of Ethics to ensure integrity, client welfare, and professional responsibility. In the scenario where a therapist is summoned to testify in court about a client's alcohol use and parenting ability, the therapist must consider multiple ethical codes, personal values, and professional responsibilities to make an informed and ethically sound decision.

The primary ethical considerations stem from the AAMFT Code of Ethics, specifically principles related to confidentiality, boundaries, integrity, and the obligation to provide honest information. According to the AAMFT (2022), therapists are mandated to uphold confidentiality, but this obligation is subject to legal proceedings when a court subpoenas records or testimony. While confidentiality is critical, the therapist must comply with legal requirements, including testifying truthfully about observations and professional opinions (AAMFT, 2022). Furthermore, the code emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in all professional dealings—particularly relevant when testifying under oath about a client’s behavior and its implications for child custody.

Another relevant provision concerns the therapist’s responsibility to prioritize client welfare and avoid harm. In this case, the therapist has observed that the husband appears attentive and caring despite his alcohol use, which may not meet clinical criteria for alcoholism but still raises professional and ethical questions about his fitness as a custodian. The dilemma lies in balancing the obligation to provide truthful, objective information to the court with potential personal biases and values about the husband’s alcohol use and parenting suitability.

Personal values inevitably influence clinical judgment; thus, the therapist should be cognizant of these biases. For example, a therapist’s belief that attentive parenting is paramount may lead to bias in favor of the husband, whereas personal judgments about alcohol use may cloud objectivity. To mitigate this, the therapist should critically examine personal values and ensure that their opinions are grounded solely in professional observations and ethical standards.

Seeking consultation is an essential step in managing this ethical dilemma. Consulting with a supervisor or an ethics committee allows the therapist to review their obligations and perceptions objectively. When presenting concerns, the therapist should articulate the factual basis of their observations, clarify the legal context, and seek guidance on how to communicate their professional opinion transparently while maintaining ethical integrity (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2020). This process helps ensure that personal biases do not unduly influence the testimony or the outcome.

If the therapist chooses not to seek consultation, they must be prepared to justify this decision ethically, typically by explaining confidence in their professional judgment and adherence to ethical standards. Regardless of consultation, self-reflection should involve asking questions such as: “Am I providing an honest, unbiased account?” “Am I adhering to my ethical obligation to client welfare?” “Am I separating personal values from professional facts?” and “Am I prepared to testify truthfully and responsibly?”

The ultimate ethical course of action involves accurately and honestly sharing observable facts and professional opinions, avoiding speculation or judgments beyond the scope of personal observations. It is critical to present factual information in court, emphasizing observations over assumptions, and to avoid any form of manipulation or misrepresentation (American Psychological Association [APA], 2017). Ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards safeguards the therapist’s integrity and promotes the best interests of the children involved.

The expected outcome for all parties involves the court receiving truthful, relevant information to make a custody decision that promotes child safety, wellbeing, and stability. The therapist’s role is to facilitate this process by providing objective, ethically grounded testimony. While tensions may arise, adhering to the AAMFT Code of Ethics ensures that the therapist remains committed to professional standards, ultimately serving the best interests of the family and maintaining public trust in the therapeutic profession.

References

  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2022). Code of Ethics. https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx
  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
  • Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2020). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. SAGE Publications.
  • Knapp, S., & VandeCreek, L. (2012). Practical Ethics for Psychologists: A Positive Approach. American Psychological Association.
  • Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2018). Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling. Pearson.
  • Reamer, F. G. (2013). Social Work Values and Ethics. Columbia University Press.
  • Roesler, T. M. (2018). Ethical decision-making in therapy: A comprehensive guide. Journal of Counseling & Development, 96(3), 276-283.
  • Truscott, D., & Crook, J. (2016). Ethical principles in child custody evaluations. Family Court Review, 54(2), 276-289.
  • Wheeler, A., & Betz, N. (2019). Counselor Ethics and the Law. Cengage Learning.

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