Ethics of Addiction Counseling Product of the Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center Prepared by: Regina Ward, MA, LPC Vonshurii Wrighten, M. Div., CACII, CCS

Ethics and The Law  Why do we have ethics  Viewing Ethics from Three Perspectives  General Guidelines for Ethical and Legal Practice  Laws Governing Chemical Dependency Counseling

Confidentiality  What is Confidentiality?  Most Frequently Violated area of Confidentiality  Confidentiality a Federal Law  Counselor Client Privilege  Confidentiality & Subpoenas  Confidentiality in Multi- Client Situations  Discussing the limits of Confidentiality

Mandated Breaches of Confidentiality  Client is a danger to self  Client is a danger to others  Child Abuse  Court Order  Confidentiality when treating the HIV positive client.

Dual Relationships  What Constitutes A Dual Relationship  Impact of Personal Relationships; what are the pluses and the minuses?  Professional Counselor Awareness  Touching as a part of the Client/Counselor Relationship  Erotic and Sexual Contact with current and former clients

Informed Consent  Preserves the client’s rights  Promotes active cooperation of clients  Provides information about the techniques utilized in treatment

Ethical Issues in Multi-Cultural Counseling  Making Culturally Sound Ethical Decisions  General Guidelines for Making Culturally Competent Ethical Decisions  Key Values and Norms to Consider When Counseling Specific Cultural Groups

Ethical Decision Making  Recognize that an ethical problem exist  Define the problem  Develop solutions to the problem  Choosing the appropriate solution  Review the process (steps 1-4)  Implementing and evaluating the decision  Continue to reflect on the problem and the chosen solution