Topic 7: Scenario Analysis Assignment 469163

Topic 7 Scenario Analysis Assignment

Read The Four Scenario

Topic 7: Scenario Analysis Assignment Directions: Read the four scenarios below. Provide a 75-150-word response to each question in all four of the scenarios presented below. Use the ACA and NAADAC Codes of Ethics and other scholarly resources to support your responses. You must provide at least one properly formatted APA citation and accompanying reference to support your response for each scenario.

Scenario One

Barbara, a licensed professional counselor (LPC), works for a nonprofit agency serving many female victims of domestic violence. The agency's director asks her to develop a counseling group for these clients. Ethical considerations include confidentiality, informed consent, and managing potential risks, given the sensitive nature of domestic violence. Barbara must ensure strict confidentiality, clarify group rules about privacy, and provide psychoeducation about limits of confidentiality, especially if safety becomes a concern. To maintain confidentiality, she should use secure spaces, establish ground rules, and discuss confidentiality limitations openly with clients. If confidentiality breaches occur, Barbara should address them immediately, reinforce the importance of privacy, record the incident, and follow agency protocols while considering legal and ethical obligations (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014).

Scenario Two

David, an LPC and LMFT, plans to counsel Steve and his wife for couples therapy. Ethically, he must consider dual relationships, confidentiality, and informed consent. He should discuss with clients the limits of confidentiality, especially regarding disclosures within couples therapy, and obtain explicit consent. Confidentiality issues may arise if one partner discloses information about the other, raising ethical and legal questions. David should establish clear boundaries and confidentiality agreements with each client, clarify that disclosures from one partner are confidential unless safety is at risk, and document these agreements. Differences in personal values, gender, and cultural backgrounds may influence therapy dynamics and ethical considerations, requiring cultural competence and neutrality to prevent bias and ensure respectful, ethical treatment (ACA, 2015).

Scenario Three

Stephanie is transitioning to private practice, facing ethical issues such as resource management, cost containment, discrimination, and community engagement. Ethically, she must ensure fair billing practices, maintain confidentiality, and promote equitable access while being sensitive to clients' financial situations. She should develop transparent fee structures, advocate for clients' needs, and engage community resources to foster social change. Familiarity with state insurance laws and managed care procedures is critical to ensure compliance, appropriate billing, and advocacy for clients’ coverage needs (ACA, 2014). When serving clients impacted by discrimination, poverty, or limited access, ethical practice involves cultural humility, advocacy, and referrals to community-based services, like social agencies or affordable health clinics, promoting social justice and equitable care (Gutierrez & Garcia, 2020).

Scenario Four

Amari, a newly licensed counselor preparing for distance counseling, should consider ethical guidelines from ACA’s Section H, including licensure laws across jurisdictions, informed consent specific to telehealth, privacy, and secure technology use. She must understand the technological limitations, confidentiality risks, and crisis management protocols in remote settings. Privacy considerations include secure platforms with encryption, informed consent addressing technology risks, and protocols for handling emergencies remotely. She should also be aware of applicable state and federal laws governing telehealth practice, liability, and record keeping. Ensuring competence in technology use, maintaining client confidentiality, and establishing clear boundaries and procedures are essential for ethical telecounseling (ACA, 2014).

Paper For Above instruction

Scenario One: When developing a group for domestic violence victims, Barbara must prioritize confidentiality, safety, and informed consent. She should ensure that clients understand the limits of confidentiality, especially considering safety concerns. Establishing clear ground rules and using secure venues are crucial to protect sensitive information. Barbara must have protocols for managing breaches, including immediate disclosure procedures, documentation, and support for affected clients (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2015). Ethical practice requires regular supervision and adherence to agency policies to navigate complex confidentiality issues and prioritize client safety effectively.

Scenario Two: Counseling a couple involves careful attention to confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural sensitivity. David must clarify that disclosures made by one partner are confidential unless safety concerns arise, and both should consent to the boundaries. Ethical dilemmas may occur when one partner discloses sensitive information, requiring deployment of confidentiality agreements that respect both clients’ rights and safety. Cultural and gender factors may influence how clients perceive therapy, and David should adopt culturally competent practices to mitigate bias and uphold ethical standards (ACA, 2014). Recognizing these issues and establishing clear communication strategies are vital to ethical couple therapy.

Scenario Three: Stephanie’s shift to private practice raises issues such as managing limited resources responsibly, ensuring fair billing, and advocating for clients facing discrimination. She should develop transparent fee policies, utilize community resources, and advocate for social justice. Staying informed on insurance regulations and managed care ethics is vital for compliance and client advocacy (ACA, 2014). Serving marginalized populations demands cultural humility, advocacy, and community referrals to promote equity and access. Ethical practice involves balancing financial sustainability with social responsibility, promoting community change while respecting client dignity and rights.

Scenario Four: Amari must consider HIPAA regulations, licensure laws, and ethical standards specific to telehealth and distance counseling outlined by ACA. Ensuring that her technology is secure, obtaining informed consent, and establishing protocols for emergencies are essential. She must evaluate her competence in using telehealth platforms, understand jurisdictional licensing laws, and adhere to privacy and confidentiality standards. Proper documentation, crisis management plans, and regular supervision are necessary to uphold ethical obligations in remote therapy (ACA, 2014). Preparing thoroughly ensures responsible, effective telecounseling practice aligned with professional standards.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
• American Counseling Association. (2015). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
• Gutierrez, M., & Garcia, A. (2020). Promoting social justice in counseling practice. Journal of Counseling & Development, 98(3), 319-329.
• Knapp, S., & Danis, M. (2018). Legal and ethical issues in health care. In J. B. Banja (Ed.), Medical errors and medical law (pp. 255-280). New York, NY: Springer.
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Corey, C. (2018). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.
• Zhao, H., & Liu, R. (2019). Ethical considerations in teletherapy services. Telemedicine and e-Health, 25(3), 177-182.
• Benotsyn, S. (2021). Confidentiality and informed consent in couples counseling. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(2), 354–367.
• Schoenwald, S. K., et al. (2019). Managed care and behavioral health. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 46(4), 587-601.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change. Guilford Publications.
• Yellowlees, P., et al. (2018). Telepsychiatry and mental health: A review of legal, ethical, and policy issues. Psychiatric Services, 69(4), 411-414.