1. "Just Tell Me If This is (Un)ethical”: Moving From Fear-Based/Self-Focused Ethical Decision-Making to Principle-Based/Other-Focused Ethical Decision-Making
Jason H. King, PhD, NCC, CCMHC, LCMHC-S, ACS
Academic Coordinator
Walden University

2. Lack of Self-Care
Counselors monitor themselves for signs of impairment from their own physical, mental, or emotional problems and refrain from offering or providing professional services when impaired.
They seek assistance for problems that reach the level of professional impairment, and, if necessary, they limit, suspend, or terminate their professional responsibilities until it is determined that they may safely resume their work.
Counselors assist colleagues or supervisors in recognizing their own professional impairment and provide consultation and assistance when warranted with colleagues or supervisors showing signs of impairment and intervene as appropriate to prevent imminent harm to clients.
The number 1 risk factor for engaging in unethical/unprofessional conduct
My lesson learned

3. Recent example
Consulted with a MHP
Suicidal client
Took medications

4. Model types Fear-Based/Self-Focused Ethical Decision-Making
Principle-Based/Other-Focused Ethical Decision-Making

5. Ethical principles Autonomy Nonmaleficence Beneficence Justice
fostering the right to control the direction of one’s life
Nonmaleficence
avoiding actions that cause harm
Beneficence
working for the good of the individual and society by promoting mental health and well-being
Justice
treating individuals equitably and fostering fairness and equality;
Fidelity
honoring commitments and keeping promises, including fulfilling one’s responsibilities of trust in professional relationships
Veracity
dealing truthfully with individuals with whom counselors come into professional contact

6. Triadic Ethical Decision- Making Model (King, 2010)
1. Examine
2. Conensualize
3. Document
Triadic Ethical Decision- Making Model (King, 2010)

7. Triadic Ethical Decision-Making Model
Examine
Situation
Who?
What?
Why?
Client
Emotional needs
Exploitive motives
Mental impairment
Cultural meanings
Risk for immediate or future harm/danger
Triadic Ethical Decision-Making Model

8. Triadic Ethical Decision-Making Model
Examine
Self
Psychological needs
Signs of impairment
Countertransference
Implications
Pros and cons
On the client
On the therapeutic relationship
Reflective of pathology
Standard for future ethical dilemma resolution
Triadic Ethical Decision-Making Model

9. Triadic Ethical Decision-Making Model
Consensualize
Client
Ethical codes
State laws and rules
Case law
Colleagues
Clinical supervisor
Liability insurance
Triadic Ethical Decision-Making Model

10. Triadic Ethical Decision-Making Model
Document
Case notes
Situation
Consultation
Decision
Action
Triadic Ethical Decision-Making Model

11. H.B. 399 Prohibition of the Practice of Conversion Therapy upon Minors

12. H.B. 399 – WHAT ABOUT Pedophilic Disorder?
“(a) (i)…mental health therapy that seeks to change, eliminate, or reduce behaviors, expressions, attractions, or feelings related to…sexual orientation…”
Drive
Urges
Fantasies
Arousal
Interest
Preference
Focus
DSM-5: “In such circumstances, the term paraphilia may be defined as any sexual interest greater than or equal to normophilic sexual interests.”
H.B. 399 – WHAT ABOUT Pedophilic Disorder?