Ethical and Moral Issues in Counseling

Ethical and Moral Issues in Counseling Morals: Personal belief system that affects your interactions with others in all aspects of your life. Morals come from: Personal values Family Influence Culture you live in Religious beliefs

Ethical and Moral Issues in Counseling Ethics: Conduct judged as good or right for a particular professional group Purpose of Ethics: Educate about the responsibilities of the profession Provide a basis for accountability Protect clients from unethical practices Provide a basis for reflection on and improving one’s professional practice

Ethical and Moral Issues in Counseling Two Types of Ethics: Mandatory ethics: Level of ethical functioning at which counselors simply act in compliance with minimal standards Aspirational ethics: Striving for the optimum standards of conduct.

Laws dictate minimum standards of behavior that society will tolerate Agreed upon rules of a society that set forth the basic principles for living together as a group. Laws dictate minimum standards of behavior that society will tolerate Ethics represent the ideal standards expected by the professional Laws are created by elected officials, enforced by police, and interpreted by judges Ethics are created by the counseling profession. They are interpreted and enforced by ethics committees and licensure boards.

Ethical Terminology to Know Autonomy: Counselor respects the rights of clients to choose their own directions, act in accordance with their beliefs, and control their own lives. Nonmaleficence: Obligation to avoid actions that will do harm to clients. Beneficence: Obligation to provide services that benefit the client. Justice: Counselor’s commitment to fairness in professional relationships in pr

Ethical Terminology to Know Fidelity: Fulfilling a responsibility of trust in the counseling relationship. Veracity: The counselor’s obligation to deal honesty with clients. Integrity: The motivation to do what is right because of your belief system and not due to fear of consequences Discernment: The ability to perceive the ethically relevant aspects of a situation, know what principles to apply, and take decisive action. in pr

Four Self-Tests on Resolving an Ethical Dilemma Justice: Would you treat others the same in this situation? Universality: Would you be willing to recommend the course of action you followed to other counselors? Publicity: Would you be willing to have your actions come to light and be known by others? Moral traces: What lingering feelings of doubt are you experiencing due to your decision? in pr

Privacy, Confidentiality, & Privileged Communication Privacy (Professional): The right of persons to decide what information about themselves will be shared with or withheld from others. Confidentiality (Ethical): The counselor’s obligation to respect the client’s privacy and a promise that information revealed in a session will be protected from disclosure without their consent. Privileged Communication (Legal): Laws that protect clients from having confidential communications with their counselors disclosed in a court of law without their permission. 3

Privacy and Confidentiality Areas of Concern Client Records Client Communication (Email, etc.) Communication among therapists Group/Family Counseling Entrance/Exit of Counseling Center 3

Duty to Warn The counselor suspects child or elder abuse The client poses a danger to others The client poses a danger to self The client has a fatal, communicable disease and their behavior is putting others at risk 3

American Association of Christian Counselors Ethics Refuse to condone abortion Refuse to assume the decision for client divorce Refuse to condone pre-marital or extra-marital sexual behavior or homosexual behavior Refuse to condone or advocate for active forms of euthanasia and assisted suicide Sexual Relations with Former Clients, Students, and Supervisees Forbidden Do not withhold services to anyone of a different faith, religion, denomination, or value system. 3

American Association of Christian Counselors Ethics Refuse to condone abortion Refuse to assume the decision for client divorce Refuse to condone pre-marital or extra-marital sexual behavior or homosexual behavior Refuse to condone or advocate for active forms of euthanasia and assisted suicide Sexual Relations with Former Clients, Students, and Supervisees Forbidden Do not withhold services to anyone of a different faith, religion, denomination, or value system. 3

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