Recently Licensed Therapist Joy Observes That Many Of Her

A Recently Licensed Therapist Joy Observes That Many Of Her Colleagu

A recently licensed therapist, Joy, observes that many of her colleagues suffer from burnout. She decides to prevent this from happening to her. Joy schedules several extended vacations throughout the year and arranges for other therapists to see her clients in case of an emergency. Joy believes that this takes care of her professional responsibilities. However, none of her clients are made aware of this arrangement in the informed consent process that took place at the beginning of therapy. When she takes her vacations, she then informs her clients of her unavailability for several weeks. In reading the case study, do you think Joy took care of her professional responsibility or do you think this was a case of client abandonment? Be sure to explain your answer. Ask questions for peers.

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The case of Joy, a recently licensed therapist, presents a complex ethical scenario that touches upon the principles of professional responsibility, informed consent, and client abandonment. Evaluating her actions requires a careful analysis rooted in the ethical guidelines established by professional bodies such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). These codes emphasize the importance of maintaining transparency with clients, ensuring continuity of care, and adhering to contractual obligations established at the outset of therapy.

Initially, Joy’s proactive approach to preventing burnout is commendable, as self-care is essential in sustaining effective therapeutic practice. Scheduling vacations and arranging for colleagues to cover her clients demonstrate her commitment to her professional responsibilities. However, a crucial ethical concern lies in whether her clients were adequately informed about these arrangements during the initial informed consent process. Informed consent not only involves disclosing the nature and goals of therapy but also covers contingencies such as therapist absence and the procedures for ongoing care during such times (Barnett, 2017).

By failing to inform her clients at the outset that her vacations would temporarily interrupt their sessions and that other therapists would see them during these periods, Joy risks violating the client’s right to autonomy and informed decision-making. Clients have the right to know about potential disruptions to their therapy and the continuity of their care. Silence or omission in this regard could be seen as a breach of trust, undermining the ethical obligation to act in the best interest of clients (Corey, 2017).

Furthermore, informing clients only when taking the vacations about her unavailability, without prior disclosure during the consent process, may be interpreted as a form of non-compliance with ethical standards concerning transparency and informed consent. While Joy's intention to ensure her clients’ well-being is evident, her actions could be construed as neglecting the obligation to provide full disclosure up front. This oversight has implications for the client-therapist relationship, primarily concerning trust and the client’s ability to make informed choices about their ongoing care (Remley & Herlihy, 2019).

In relation to whether Joy’s actions constitute professional responsibility or client abandonment, the concept of client abandonment is critical. Client abandonment occurs when a therapist terminates the therapeutic relationship prematurely without appropriate notice, referral, or ensuring continuity of care (Fisher & Orme, 2016). In this case, Joy did not explicitly terminate her relationship with her clients her ongoing care was interrupted due to her planned absences. However, her unilateral decision to take extended leave without adequately prior informing her clients or providing a clear alternative plan might be argued as a form of constructive abandonment.

Constructive abandonment transpired when a therapist’s actions result in the cessation of treatment without proper notice or arrangements, thus potentially harming the client or leaving them without necessary support (Remley & Herlihy, 2019). Ethical guidelines stress that when therapy must be interrupted due to legitimate reasons, therapists should facilitate a transition plan, such as introducing new providers or adequately informing the clients beforehand (Corey, 2017).

In summation, while Joy’s intention was rooted in self-care and maintaining her well-being, her failure to adequately inform her clients about her absences at the outset leans toward an ethical lapse. The lack of transparent communication about the possibility of her vacations and arrangements during her absence could constitute a form of client neglect rather than outright abandonment. Nonetheless, her subsequent failure to inform clients prior to her vacations might be considered ethically problematic, depending on the context and expectations set during initial disclosures. Ultimately, it underscores the importance for mental health professionals to prioritize clear communication, thorough informed consent, and contingency planning to uphold ethical standards and protect client welfare.

References

• Barnett, J. E. (2017). Professional ethics in psychology: A practical guide for students and practitioners. Routledge.
• Corey, G. (2017). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Fisher, C. B., & Orme, J. G. (2016). Ethical and legal issues in psychotherapy. In G. A. Bernacchi & H. S. P. Bhugra (Eds.), Psychotherapy ethics (pp. 45-62). Routledge.
• Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2019). Ethics, law, and counseling: Putting ethics into action (6th ed.). Pearson.
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