Use The Case Study You Selected In Week 4, Case Study 2

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Use the case study you selected in Week 4. Case Study #2 You are a mental health professional in a correctional setting. You are treating an offender who voluntarily sought treatment for past trauma related to domestic violence and sexual assault. She informs you that there is an ongoing investigation against the perpetrator, who is her ex-boyfriend. She is afraid to testify and/or provide information against him but has shared information with you during sessions.

You are contacted by the prosecutor for information regarding the case and have a full release of information signed by your client. Your client's sister has also left you a message regarding the issue and is requesting a call back. Create a visually engaging 10- to 12-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation that describes how you, as a correctional counselor or case manager, would report, document, and resolve the ethical dilemma. Use speaker notes for the majority of your information with bullet points and graphics for your slides. Incorporate course materials into each step in the process of resolving the ethical dilemma in speaker notes. Use an ethical code of conduct (either one presented in course materials or one applicable to your future career(social worker) such as the ethical code of the National Association of Social Workers or the National Organization of Human Services) to justify each of your actions related to reporting, documenting, and resolving the ethical dilemma. Include a minimum of three sources, two of which should be course materials. Format any citations in your presentation consistent with APA guidelines. Proofread for grammar, formatting, and spelling errors.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In correctional settings, mental health professionals frequently encounter ethical dilemmas that require careful navigation to balance confidentiality, legal obligations, and client welfare. The case of a mental health professional treating an offender who has disclosed trauma related to domestic violence and sexual assault, coupled with external legal requests for information, exemplifies such a dilemma. This paper explores how a correctional counselor or case manager should proceed by reporting, documenting, and resolving this ethical issue in accordance with applicable ethical codes and course materials.

Understanding the Ethical Dilemma

The core issue is balancing the confidentiality owed to the client against legal and safety obligations when approached by prosecutors and family members seeking information. The client’s disclosure of trauma, the ongoing investigation, and her fear of testifying create conflicts between ethical principles such as confidentiality, beneficence, and legal compliance (Bonner & Vandecreek, 2006). Ethical codes like the NASW Code of Ethics emphasize respect for client confidentiality but also recognize situations where legal mandates override confidentiality interests.

Step 1: Reporting and Documentation

The first step involves thoroughly documenting the client’s disclosures, including the context, content, and any statements regarding the ongoing investigation. Accurate, objective documentation ensures legal transparency and provides a clear record for subsequent decisions (Hasselt et al., 2006). According to the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers must document all disclosures diligently, especially when there is a legal request (National Association of Social Workers, 2017). The documentation should note the client’s confidentiality waiver and the specific legal requests received.

Step 2: Ethical and Legal Considerations

Consultation with supervisors and legal counsel is crucial to interpret the scope of confidentiality and legal obligations. The counselor must evaluate whether the legal request is compliant with statutory laws or court orders, and whether any information shared by the client is protected (Stohr et al., 2000). The ethical principle of fidelity guides the professional to uphold commitments to the client while respecting legal mandates. As per the ethical code, professionals should inform clients of the limits of confidentiality at the outset and when relevant information is being disclosed (Human Communication, 6th edition).

Step 3: Ethical Decision-Making Framework

Applying an ethical decision-making model, such as the one from Bonner & Vandecreek (2006), involves identifying stakeholders, recognizing ethical principles involved, and weighing potential outcomes. In this case, stakeholders include the client, the prosecutor, and the client’s family. The principles of confidentiality, safety, and legal obligation must be balanced carefully. Disclosing information with the client’s informed consent (via the release form) aligns with ethical standards and legal requirements.

Step 4: Communicating with Stakeholders

Open communication with the prosecutor is vital to clarify the scope of the information requested and ensure compliance with legal procedures. For the client’s sister, the counselor must determine whether revealing any information violates confidentiality or risks the client’s safety. In accordance with the ethical code (e.g., NASW), professionals should only disclose information that is explicitly permitted and necessary (Ledbetter, 2015).

Step 5: Resolving the Ethical Dilemma

The resolution involves providing a response that respects the client’s rights, adheres to legal mandates, and maintains professional integrity. Documenting all interactions, including calls from the prosecutor and the sister, along with the client's signed release, ensures transparency. If the legal request is compliant and the client has authorized disclosure, sharing information is ethically justified. However, any information that could compromise the client’s safety or violate her rights should be protected or escalated to legal counsel (Ricciardelli & Perry, 2016).

Conclusion

Resolving ethical dilemmas in correctional mental health practice requires a careful balance of legal obligations, ethical standards, and client welfare. By diligently documenting disclosures, consulting with legal professionals, and adhering to ethical codes like the NASW or relevant professional standards, counselors can make ethically sound decisions that uphold both client trust and legal responsibilities. This process underscores the importance of ethical decision-making models in maintaining integrity and professionalism in complex situations.

References

• Bonner, R., & Vandecreek, L. D. (2006). Ethical decision making for correctional mental health providers. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 33(4), 453-470.
• Hasselt, V. B., Baker, M. T., Romano, S. J., Schlessinger, K. M., Zucker, M., Dragone, R., et al. (2006, February). Crisis (hostage) negotiation training: A preliminary evaluation of program efficacy. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 33(1), 56-69.
• Ledbetter, D. (2015). Opening the doors of communication to constituents. Corrections Today, 77(5), 14-15.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). NASW Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
• Ricciardelli, R., & Perry, K. (2016). Responsivity in practice: Prison officer to prisoner communication in Canadian provincial prisons. Journal of Criminal Justice, 45, 56-65.
• Stohr, M. K., Hemmens, C., Kifer, M., & Schoeler, M. (2000). We know it, we just have to do it: Perceptions of ethical work in prisons and jails. The Prison Journal, 80(2), 168-186.