View The Film: Subtle Boundary Dilemmas And Ethical Decision

View The Filmsubtle Boundary Dilemmas Ethical Decision Making For Hel

View the film Subtle Boundary Dilemmas: Ethical Decision Making for Helping Professionals. Select one of the scenarios presented and discuss the boundary concerns you observed as it relates to professional ethics. Include comments on how you would have handled the situation. Support your statements with evidence from the Required Studies and your research. Cite and reference your sources in APA style. North Plaines Ethics Institute What is professional ethics – IIT

Paper For Above instruction

The film "Subtle Boundary Dilemmas: Ethical Decision Making for Helping Professionals" presents various scenarios that challenge practitioners to navigate complex boundary issues while maintaining professional ethics. One scenario that particularly illustrates such a boundary concern involves a counselor developing a personal relationship with a client outside of therapy sessions, such as engaging in social interactions or sharing personal information. This situation raises critical ethical questions about maintaining appropriate boundaries to protect the client’s welfare and uphold professional standards.

In this scenario, the boundary concern centers around dual relationships and potential exploitation or harm. Boundary crossings, although sometimes benign, can lead to boundary violations when they compromise the counselor's objectivity or create dependence, possibly impairing the client's progress or well-being. According to the American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014), maintaining clear boundaries ensures that the client's interests remain the primary focus of treatment and that the counselor's objectivity is preserved.

Observing a counselor engaging in social activities with a client can blur the lines of professional relationship, risking favoritism, confidentiality breaches, or the appearance of impropriety. The ethical dilemma arises in balancing empathetic engagement with maintaining professional distance. Ethical codes, such as those from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW, 2017), stipulate that social workers should avoid dual relationships that could impair their objectivity or create conflicts of interest.

If I were in this situation, I would address the boundary concern by clearly communicating professional limits to the client and evaluating the reasons behind the desire for social interaction. If the client demonstrated a need for social support beyond therapy, I would consider referring them to appropriate social services or support groups rather than engaging personally. Maintaining a consistent boundary not only protects the client but also ensures the integrity of the therapeutic process.

Research supports that maintaining appropriate boundaries reduces the risk of boundary violations and enhances therapeutic effectiveness (Welfel, 2016). Ethical practice necessitates ongoing self-awareness and supervision to recognize potential boundary issues early. It is essential to prioritize the client's best interests and uphold the trust inherent in the professional relationship (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2015).

In conclusion, boundary concerns like engaging in social activities with a client pose significant ethical challenges. By adhering to established ethical guidelines, maintaining professional distance, and fostering open communication, helping professionals can navigate these dilemmas effectively, ensuring the dignity and welfare of their clients are preserved.

References

• American Counseling Association (ACA). (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/Files/CodeofEthics.pdf
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2015). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2017). Code of ethics. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
• Welfel, E. R. (2016). Ethics in counseling & psychotherapy (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.