child and adolescent counseling chapter 4

Chapter ObjectivesAfter reading this chapter you should be able to: •Define ethical, professional, and legal issues in counseling •Discuss principle and virtue ethics •Explain competenc

Chapter Objectives

After reading this chapter you should be able to:

•Define ethical, professional, and legal issues in

counseling

•Discuss principle and virtue ethics

•Explain competence, consent, confidentiality,

privileged communication, and child abuse reporting

•Use an ethical decision-making model

Definitions - Ethics

• Ethics is a branch of philosophy that focuses on morals and morality in their relationship to making decisions

• The customs, mores, standards, and accepted

practices of a profession

• Ethical codes educate professionals about

practice conduct, provide a means of

accountability and create ways to improve

Definitions - Professional

Issues

• Technical, procedural, or cultural

standards that members of the

profession are expected to accept as part of their practice

Definitions - Legal Issues

• Related to federal, state, and municipal

standards of practice as regulated by law

• Laws are minimum standard that society will accept

• “Standard of care” target guides decisions about whether a course of action would

meet that criteria

Virtue Ethics

Meara, Schmidt, and Day (1996)

• everything one needs to know can not be in the code

• focus on “character” ethics

• Relate to exceeding the obligations and

striving for the ideals of the profession

• Compassion: Deep concern and respect for

the individual (Welfel, 2006)

Six Aspects of Ethical Reasoning

Remley and Herlihy (2005)

• autonomy (respecting freedom of choice)

• nonmaleficence (do no harm)

• beneficence (responsibility to do good)

• justice (being fair)

• fidelity (being faithful)

• veracity (being honest)

Decision-Making Models

• Develop ethical sensitivity

• Identify and define the problem

• Think about your own emotional reactions

• Apply fundamental principles and theories

• Define the central issues and possible

options

• Refer to professional standards, laws and current literature

Decision-Making Models

• Consult with colleagues or experts

• Involve the client in the decision-making

• Identify desired outcomes

• Consider different courses of action

• Choose and act

• Reflect on the actions taken

Decision Making Model

Assess options

Ethical theories and principles

Laws and policies

Important Guidelines

• Always act in the best interest of the client

• Always act in good faith and without malice

• Be aware of your personal values,

attitudes, and beliefs

• Refer clients to another counselor if

personal characteristics interfere with your effectiveness as a helper

Counseling Minors

Involves balancing three social systems:

1 The state

2 The parent or family

3 The minor child

Children in counseling have the right:

• To be respected and told the truth

• To know about the evaluation process, rationale, and

results

• To be told about the interventions

• To receive information about confidentiality and its limits

• To be involved in decision making and goal setting

• To control the release of their personal information

• To be released from treatment if unsuccessful

• Not to be the scapegoat in a dysfunctional family

Parents’ rights and

responsibilities include:

• Providing for the child’s welfare

• Having access to information that pertains to the

child’s welfare

• Seeking treatment for their child

• Participating in therapy decisions and goal setting for

their child

• Giving permission for treatments

• Releasing confidential information about their child

• Counselors need knowledge, skills and

diligence in their specialty areas of practice

• To counsel children must participate in

specialized education, training, and

supervised practice

• Continuing education necessary

• Consent must be given voluntarily

• Usually parent or guardian must provide permission

• Written statements such as a disclosure letter or brochure are suggested

• Privacy ensures that people may choose what others know about them

• Confidentiality refers to professional

responsibility to respect and limit access to clients’ personal information

• Privileged communication exists by statue and applies only to those testifying in court

of law

Privacy and Children

• Younger children have little understanding or need for privacy

• Preadolescents and adolescents may have a

heightened need

• Some children may want their parents to know

what is going on in counseling

• Children will sometimes disclose something hoping the adult will intervene.

• Children’s reasoning capacity may limit the

o professional in court-ordered role

o court mandated release of files

• practice within your boundaries

• know state laws

• always explain confidentiality

• maintain accurate/objective records

• purchase liability insurance

• confer with colleagues