Abstract
This masters level paper is an examination of the differences between the ethical guidelines laid out by many of the mental health organizations and the perception of such ethical practice in the field. It examines the nature of ethics, what the codes address, and how they are being perceived by other professionals.

Tags:PSYCHOLOGY / COUNSELLING, SOCIAL WORK, counseling ethics perceived

Abstract
This paper examines two sections of the APA's code of ethics: confidentiality and discrimination. It looks at an instance wherein the APA code of ethics offends the writer's personal beliefs and an instance where the code is in accordance with the writer's beliefs. The paper explains how one must never allow personal sensibilities to intrude upon the professional discharge of duties. The paper then discusses the case of a daughter accusing her father of rape, and the ethical obligations of the counselor according to the APA code of ethics. In addition, the writer relates that she values confidentiality, but believes that confidentiality cannot be absolute and something as serious as an allegation of sexual assault must be brought to the attention of the father - as long as reasonable precautions have been undertaken.

From the Paper
"To begin with, this writer finds little in the APA Code of Ethics that is cause for concern. In particular, section 3.01 of the APA's 2003 Code of Ethics takes a strong stance on the issue of unfair discrimination, stating that discriminating against any party on the basis of age, gender, race, religious affiliation or sexual orientation - among several others - is abominable and unacceptable. As someone who has long been opposed to discrimination in all its forms, obeying this injunction is something that will cause little trouble for this counselor. On the other hand, my own strong feelings about the need to maintain confidentiality - and my recognition that confidentiality is something which cannot always be maintained - is an area that is sure to cause me some significant angst insofar as my professional obligations run counter to my own personal belief system and my own conviction that confidential disclosures from a young person should not be circulated to other members of the group."

Tags:psychology, sexual, abuse, confidentiality, law, psychologist, patient

Abstract
This paper defines the ethics that a professional counselor or therapist is bound by. The paper explores various ethical issues that clients and therapists are faced with and how they are normally viewed and handled. The paper also discusses the profession itself and its beliefs about the ethics of its members. Using several professional journal articles and sources, the paper defines the ethics that are required, the problems that can occur surrounding working with troubled clients and the ethics that can arise in that practice and suggestions to protect both the client and the therapist or counselor.

From the Paper
"Over the last five decades the use of professional counselors and therapists has been on the rise. Those who find their lives stunted because of emotional issues are often slowed in many areas of their life. The problem not only affects the person involved but also affects their family, friends and co-workers.

Professional counselors and therapists are charged with an extremely important duty. They assist in the troubled person working through the issue and learning to put their life back in order(Bakan, D. 1967).. There are times one goes to a professional counselor because of an isolated incident or issue and there are times one is needed because of a lifelong accumulation of issues or incidences. Regardless of the reason someone goes to a professional counselor or therapist it is important that they feel comfortable opening up to them(Baumrind, D. (1964).. It is equally important that the client be able to trust their counselor regarding confidentiality, professional conduct and other things(Baumrind, D. (1985).. "

Tags:therapist, patient, privacy

Abstract
The tasks of psychotherapy and counseling are ones of extreme significance in the lives of the hurting. This paper attempts to define ethics and their personal application as they relate to the counseling profession. It also discusses some of the issues that counselors face which can challenge their concepts of ethical practice. Finally, it gives a general overview of the status of the counseling profession as it exists at present.

From the Paper
"The tasks of psychotherapy and counseling are ones of extreme significance in the lives of the hurting. This paper will attempt to define ethics and their personal application as they relate to the counseling profession. It will also discuss some of the issues that counselors face which can challenge their concepts of ethical practice. Finally, it will give a general overview of the status of the counseling profession as it exists at present. These concepts of ethics should dictate the daily decision making of any counselor. In developing our own personal ethics as counselors, we must fully understand the accepted standards of ethics as they exist in established mental health practice. The difficulty in this endeavor is that often these codes are difficult to apply to a specific situation or at worst, contradictory (American Counseling Association [ACA], 1995). Although there are many similarities between the various ethical codes of conduct, differences and conflicts do arise due to the world view and primary goals of each organization. In determining our own individual ethical guidelines, a counselor must utilize these varying interpretations of ethical behavior to serve as a basis for lifelong growth in decision making skills and formation of ethical standards. These ethical situations often arise out of the power dynamic in the counselor / client relationship. It is the ethics of this relationship that form the foundation for what is defined as a counseling code of ethics. Clients seek out therapists for reasons as varied as marital problems, and work anxiety. Whatever the reason one approaches a therapist, by the time they do so they are usually in a very emotionally sensitive. By this point they have often times tried to handle their difficulties on their own. They may have talked to friends, clergy, or family about the issue. Unfortunately, untrained advice often makes issues more confusing. When none of these things work, they seek the help of a professional counselor of therapist. When they do this it is vital that they be able to trust the professionalism and the ethics of the therapist and counselor they turn to. The ethics of professional counselors are strictly defined and adhered to (Kelman, 1968). Some of the numerous codes that exist include those of the America Counseling Association, the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the American Psychological Association. Familiarization and adherence to these codes is essential in learning good decision making skills as a professional counselor."

Tags:code, counseling, ethics, psychology

Abstract
For the purposes of this paper the author looks at the two main types of counseling, being: individual and group therapy and individual counseling, explaining how psychologists face ethical decisions every day. It also explains how the issues are growing as society becomes more diverse and more ethical questions arise. It also explains that there are not always clear cut rules about how one is to behave in every situation and that depending on the type of counseling offered, ethical issues can seem simple or extreme in some cases. It also includes some examples of legal issues that arise when a patient refuses medical care.

Outline:
Ethical Issues Unique to Group Therapy
Ethical Issues Unique to Individual Counseling
Therapist would choose Group Therapy
Therapist would choose Individual Counseling
Distinctive Features
Provide a specific example in your response
Ethical Challenges I may Face
Development of Professional Ethics through Societal Norms
APA Ethics Code
APA Ethical Violations
Psychology and Professional Ethics
Conclusion

From the Paper
''The field of psychology is important to the well-being of society. Numerous individuals have been helped by group therapy and individual counseling by dedicated psychologists and psychiatrists. As individuals who serve members of society, psychologists face ethical decisions every day. Today psychologists must help a wider variety of individuals from different backgrounds and as society progresses towards equality and diversity, more ethical questions arise. These questions are not always easy to answer and there are not always clear cut rules about how one is to behave in every situation. Depending on the type of counseling offered ethical issues can seem simple or extreme in some cases. The two main types of counseling that will be observed in the following discussion will be Individual and Group Therapy and Individual Counseling. A variety of questions will be answered for instance what issues are unique to Group therapy. Ethical Issues Unique to Individual Counseling, Therapist would choose Group Therapy, Therapist would choose Individual Counseling, Leadership Qualities and Assess Approach to Group Therapy, Ethical Challenges I may face.''

Tags:standards, responsibility, therapy

Abstract
This paper explains that, while, the majority of psychologists and counselors would never intentionally harm their clients, they are often put in positions in which the morally correct answer is not entirely cut and dry. The author points out that, in these instances of ethical ambiguity, counselors must make snap decisions in which no action is entirely without its drawback; furthermore, counseling is not an exact science and therefore the counselor must be careful not to do more harm than good. The paper relates that many psychological counselors take a risk management approach to their practice because counselors are constantly faced with situations that challenge their ethics and must always be wary of even the appearance of acting in an unethical manner.

From the Paper
"These situations may apply to a broad range of aspects of the counselor's practice. For instance, a counselor may face an ethical dilemma on a strictly professional level. For example, if the counselor went of vacation and left the hiring of an office assistant to his partners, only to return to discover that the person hired was a former client. This situation may or may not present a professional conflict of interest. There are also situations in which the ethical dilemma is more on a personal level. For example, if the counselor's sister had a troubled son who refused to be counseled by anyone but the counselor himself. This situation would have the potential to have lasting repercussions on the relationships between the counselor and his nephew and sister. A counselor may also face ethical dilemmas which challenge the relationship with the client. For example, a female client who is so overcome by the excitement of having just passed the bar exam comes toward the counselor with open arms and lips puckered. On the one hand, the counselor would want to validate the client's excitement while at the same time avoiding doing anything that might be misconstrued at a later time. Counselors may also be faced with situations that could have legal repercussions."

Tags:ambiguity, lawsuit, risk-management, professional, situations

Abstract
The paper argues that despite the important role that religion can play in recovering from the death of a loved one, it is neither practical nor ethical to include that perspective in professional counseling.

From the Paper
"Grief is probably the most universal emotional disruption known to mankind. Everyone loses something somewhere along the way. It would seem therefore that the role of a grief counselor would be fairly straightforward. This is not the case. Unfortunately, religion plays a large and complicating role in the grief process. It forms the backdrop by which the person understands death, but it does not predict how they will react to it. The only reasonable approach to professional grief counseling is to eliminate religion and..."

Tags:athiest, on, death, and, dying, kubler-ross

Abstract
This paper acknowledges there are often times when the ASAC Code of Ethics and what is "legally" right comes into conflict with the counselor's personal values. The counselor is sometimes forced to make a decision that goes against his or her personal values. The ASCA's Ethical Standards for School Counselors were adopted by the ASCA Delegate Assembly, March 19,1984, and were revised on March 27, 1992, June 25, 1998 and June 26, 2004. The author anticipates a difference in ethical practice due to a conflict between personal values and ethical practice in the area of certain confidentiality obligations governing disclosures to the court system that are required when the release of confidential information may potentially harm a student or the counseling relationship. This paper discusses and reflects the authors personal ethical dilemma with the ASAC Code of Ethics and how he plans to deal with the conflict.

Outline:
Introduction
Duties as an ASAC Counselor
Confidentiality Obligations
Conclusion

From the Paper
"These confidentiality obligations above extend to the circumstances under which a drug abuse program may disclose information about a student's disclosed drug use to the counselor. In this case the disclosure is made only to those individuals within the criminal justice system who have a need for the information in connection with their duty to monitor the patient's progress (e.g., a prosecuting attorney who is withholding charges against the patient, a court granting pretrial or post trial release, probation or parole officers responsible for supervision of the patient). For this disclosure the student must have also signed a written consent that must state the period during which it remains in effect. This period must be reasonable, taking into account both the anticipated length of the treatment and the type of criminal proceeding involved, as well as the need for the information in connection with the final disposition of that proceeding."

Tags:information, relationships, dilemmas, conflict, values, practice

Abstract
A formal presentation of a description of a new psychotherapist's personal counseling philosophy, the intended objectives of psychotherapy, values and ethics germane to practitioners, and the theoretical orientation of the practitioner.

From the Paper
"This research is a presentation of a personal philosophy of psychotherapy and the values and ethics that are meant to inform psycho-therapeutic practice with special attention given to multicultural competencies in contemporary society. Aspects of that presentation include personal objectives and objectives for client outcomes as well as a picture of the theoretical orientation from which psychotherapy practice will proceed plus as far as possible a sense of the techniques linked to theory that will govern actual therapy sessions. Additionally this research will discuss values and ethics issue ..."

Tags:psychotherapy, practitioner, ethics, counseling, Freud, Carl Rogers, existential therapy

Abstract
In counseling or coaching injured athletes, far more than their physical condition must be taken into account. Coaches and other counselors are charged, as well, with attending to the psychological, mental and even spiritual needs of the athlete. Because of this, there are ethical issues inherent in the coaching or counseling relationship. The paper explains that for such reasons, the American Counseling Association and the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology have both put into place codes of ethics that can be used to help prevent abusive counseling/coaching relationships with injured athletes. The paper assesses how coaches and counselors can best assist injured athletes and avoid conflict of interest or other unethical considerations, by looking at the requirements of each code.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
Ethics and Standards
American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
Ethical Principles and Standards of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"While one researcher noted that coaches were prone to act unethically in sending injured players back to the game too soon, it appears more likely that any ethical dilemmas facing athletes and coaches/counselors revolve around coaches failing to understand fully the injuries they might have to deal with regularly, and also failing to exercise the compassion the students in the Sherman study and other expressed a need for. The fact that coaches were seen, in one study, as distant makes it all the more important that we change our minds about what constitutes ethical dilemmas."

Tags:AAASP, psychology, welfare, injury