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 ethicalpractice in the field.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 16 sources, 2002, $ 89.95
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 ethicalpractice 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, counselingethics perceived
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 ethicalpractice. 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."
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 ethicalpractice due to a conflict between personal values and ethicalpractice 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 This paper studies the interplay between ethics and laws in counseling. Based on a case study of a client with addictive and self-destructive tendencies, the paper studies how ethics impact issues such as client confidentiality and truthfulness on the part of the counselor. Other issues the paper explores include client-centered counseling that considers the culture of the client and development of a treatment plan relevant to the client's perspective and goals.
Abstract This paper discusses how ethical issues in the business world have changed since the demise of companies such as Enron, WorldCom, and Arthur Andersen. According to this paper, several different approaches have been suggested for businesses today to cope with the issue of ethics and for corporations to develop ethical guidelines.
From the Paper "The issue needs to be considered from the smallest infraction to the major ones. The latter, of course, are what get a company into trouble, while the former often lead to the latter. However, business people seem to have a number of rationales for why certain behaviors that might be unethical in everyday life are not in business. Carr (1993) argues that there is an agreement among people in business that bluffing is accepted and that, in the words of British statesman Henry Taylor, "falsehood ceases to be falsehood when it is understood on all sides that the truth is not expected to be spoken" (Carr, 1993, p. 143). Carr argues that bluffing is not unethical in this context. It is not lying because while both bluffing and lying would be meant to deceive bluffing in business is accepted as part of the price of doing business and so cannot be considered lying."
Abstract This paper discusses how promotion of ethics in the workplace is important to the business environment because it provides a framework for how individuals will function within the organization. Strong ethical concerns shown by management and the company will offer an example to workers. According to the paper, a code of ethics produced by the business will further provide guidelines for employees to follow, and organizational support for ethicalpractices will ensure a reduction in ethical concerns over the life of the business.
Abstract This paper highlights business ethics with three case studies. The author discusses the issues of bioethics, the management of human resources, and ethics orientation in the case studies and uses companies such as Wal-Mart and Wayne Hills Hospital for illustration. The paper explains how investment in infrastructure, as in the case of Wayne Hills Hospital, labor management and ethics orientation play a big part in an organization. The author also stresses that good business ethicspractices result in a positive brand image, something every company strives for.
Outline:
Case 1: Bioethics
Case 2: Human Resource
Case 3: Ethics Orientation
From the Paper "Regrettably, all evidence suggests that the model currently defined by Wal-Mart is unlikely to be disrupted, and to the negative impact on a broad array of players, not the least of which is the supplier. The globalization scheme promises that as new developing markets open to free trade, the opportunity for a corporation such as Wal-Mart to find yet cheaper labor and yet more lax environmental standards in the nation of a supplier will tend to draw it away from those to whom it had previously established a unilateral relationship."
Tags: healthcare facilities, human resource, ethics orientation, bioethics, companies, economy
Abstract This paper examines the ethical dilemma that the tobacco companies find themselves in, now that it is almost universally accepted that smoking can cause grave health risks. This paper questions why a company would sell a product that it knows is harmful and whether this is an ethicalpractice or not. The paper shows the tobacco companies' irresponsibility in the fact that they hid the consequences of using their product
From the Paper "This whole argument that the tobacco companies are unethical in the way they do business is grounded in the utilitarian moral doctrine. This states that ?we should always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our action. By good, utilitarians mean happiness or pleasure.? (Moral Issues 59a) This is obviously the case. For example, thousands of people are positively affected in the tobacco industry: lawyers, employees, executives, marketing, farmers, and the receivers of the taxes placed on the product. To these people, tobacco and cigarettes bring much pleasure, from money, to a job, to a way to relax, and not just to them, but to those around these people who are affected by their lives. Many people benefit from its existence. However, many millions of people die every year from smoking. And many millions more are affected by the illnesses, deaths, and addictions of these people, it is a huge ripple effect. So while thousands, and it is probably hundreds of thousands benefit, millions suffer. But the biggest disparity is that employees work for the firm for many years, turnover is relatively low. So over say 100 years, a relatively small number of total people benefit when compared to the 500 million expected to die, and the countless millions who will become sick, because 5 million die a year right now; such turnover is not seen on the benefit side of the argument. This is the main reason that the way in which the tobacco companies do business is shockingly unethical. To put it even more simply, many times more people become unhappy when encountering cigarettes and tobacco than become happy."
Abstract This paper discusses cultural values and personal ethics and how they affect the workplace. The paper begins by discussing personal values in general, and then discusses why in the workplace, which has many individuals who each have their own personal standards and designations of what are ethicalpractices and what are not, issues can arise.
From the Paper "Cultural Values and Personal Ethics It seems odd to focus on personal values as an important part of the workplace. After all, personal values are by their nature quite intimate, and the workplace is a setting in which there are multiple individuals who each have their own personal standards and designations of what are ethical practices and what are not. This strongly suggests that there are multiple sets of personal ethics functioning within the same closed environment; as ethics and values differ between persons, this suggests a setting in which there is potential for conflict. There are, however, distinctions that can be made between personal, organizational, and cultural values. For example, I have strong personal feelings towards many social issues. Personally, I am in favor of a woman's right to choose, in favor of euthanasia for the terminally ill, and in favor of environmental policy and small business, among other things."
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).. "
Abstract The paper explores group counseling and examines what group counseling actually is and what the purpose of group counseling is. The paper continues and examines ethics in counseling and specifically those ethics of the Christian counselor in maintaining Biblical principles in counseling and what the ethical requirements of the Christian counselor are. The paper comments that findings in this work include the important and key role of the group leader or facilitator in keeping the interactions and communications positive in order to avoid harm to group members.
Outline:
Introduction
Methodology
Key Terms and Definitions
Background to the Study
Compare/Contrast Current Views on Group Counseling Summary And Conclusion
From the Paper "Throughout the remainder of the 20th century, groups emerged as an increasingly popular mode of intervention in psychotherapy and counseling settings." (Stockton, Morran, and Krieger, 2004) Group methods are popular in use today "across a wide variety of settings to assist clients who present with a diverse range of goals and concerns," (Stockton, Morran and Krieger, 2004) Group counseling is an approach to treatment that is considered to have the same relevant effectiveness as individual counseling. There are various methods used in the group counseling therapy and there are very few studies to provide solid evidence of the direction the group leader should take however, preliminary findings do state that positive interaction with the group leader and the members of the group is vital to successful intervention. Group counseling is known to have benefits including."
This Masters level paper is a brief analysis of the differences and similarities in the ethics, membership, and function of three professional counseling organizations.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 26.95
Abstract This Masters level paper is a brief analysis of the differences and similarities in the ethics, membership, and function of the American Counseling Association, the Christian Association of Psychological Studies, and the Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Tags: PSYCHOLOGY / COUNSELLING, SOCIAL WORK, professional counseling organizations
Abstract This paper identifies the various aspects of three different counseling associations in detail, emphasizing the significance of confidentiality, personal circumstances, and sexual relationships in light of their defined Codes of Ethics. Many similar issues are evaluated in these Codes, as each association strives to remain protective of their clients at all times.
From the Paper "The codes of ethics of counseling agencies encompass a wide variety of objectives, which are designed to promote positive counseling experiences that fall under morally acceptable standards. Three specific groups have defined codes of ethics that are unique in different ways, and they demonstrate the importance of maintaining an ethical approach to conducting counseling sessions with clients. The following discussion will compare and contrast the key issues related to confidentiality, sexual intimacy, and personal issues within three specific associations that focus on counseling ethics. The American Association of Pastoral Counselors possesses a distinct code of ethics that emphasizes faith as the primary means of providing support to those in need, and this encompasses such principles as continuing education, the development of healthy relationships, and to manage caseloads that only within the realm of knowledge and experience of the association's members ("Code of Ethics", 1994)."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses the issue of ethics in counseling. The paper reports that in order to facilitate ethicalcounseling, the American Mental Health Counselor Association provides a guideline as to how counselors work with their clients. The paper explains that this guideline takes into consideration that the client is experiencing difficulties in his life, is extremely vulnerable and often follows the suggestions given by a professional counselor.
From the Paper "This guide identifies five moral principles and, like the AMHCA, spells out guidelines and philosophical attitudes that counselors are encouraged to adhere to as they approach the counseling relationship, such as autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and fidelity. They recognize that different professionals may implement different courses of action in the same situation, and therefore admit that there is no simple answer to complex problems, but that honesty, along with keeping the best interests of the client at heart with no thought for gain or personal motives should guide the counselor's actions (Forester-Miller and Davis, p. 2-3)."
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."
