Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions 8th Edition by Gerald Corey, Marianne Schneider Corey, & Patrick Callanan with Michelle Muratori, Johns Hopkins University Information added by course instructor based on professional experience, other course texts, and additional relevant material Cengage Brooks/Cole A division of Cengage Learning, Inc.

Introduction to Professional Ethics Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Ethics Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning Law and Ethics Law defines the minimum standards society will tolerate and is enforced by government Ethics represents the ideal standards set and is enforced by professional associations Regulation The legal and ethical practice of most mental health professionals is regulated in all 50 states. State licensing laws establish the scope of practice of professionals and how these laws will be enforced by licensing boards. Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (1) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

What if ethics & law conflict? Different views Consultation is key Document, document, document!

Professional Monitoring of Practice The major duties of regulating boards are: to determine standards for admission into the profession. to screen applicants applying for certification or licensure. to regulate the practice of psychotherapy for the public good. to conduct disciplinary proceedings involving violations of standards of professional conduct as defined by law. Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (2) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Ethical Decision Making: Key Terms Values beliefs and attitudes that provide direction to everyday living Ethics beliefs we hold about what constitutes right conduct. Ethics are moral principles adopted by an individual or group to provide rules for right conduct. Morality our perspectives of right and proper conduct and involves an evaluation of actions on the basis of some broader cultural context or religious standard Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (3) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Ethical Decision Making: Key Terms Community standards (or mores) define what is considered reasonable behavior when a case involving malpractice is litigated. They vary on interdisciplinary, theoretical, and geographical bases. Reasonableness is the care that is ordinarily exercised by others practicing within that specialty in the professional community. Professionalism has some relationship to ethical behavior, yet it is possible to act unprofessionally and still not act unethically. Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (4) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Levels of Ethical Practice Mandatory Ethics level of ethical functioning wherein counselors comply with minimal standards, acknowledging the basic “musts” and “must nots” example: providing for informed consent in professional relationships Aspirational Ethics refer to the highest professional standards of conduct to which counselors can aspire example: providing services pro bono for those in the community who cannot afford needed services Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (5) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Principle Ethics and Virtue Ethics focuses on moral issues with the goal of solving a particular dilemma and establishing a framework to guide future ethical thinking and behavior. asks “Is this situation unethical?” Virtue Ethics focuses on character traits of the counselor and non-obligatory ideals asks “Am I doing what is best for my client?” Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (6) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Basic Moral Principles to Guide Decision Making Autonomy: to promote self-determination Beneficence: to do good for others and promote the well-being of clients Non-maleficence: to avoid doing harm Justice: to be fair by giving equally to others and to treat others justly (Sanders definition – p. 301 “equals must be treated in a way most beneficial to their own circumstances”; whether a treatment culturally “fits” may be an issue of justice) Fidelity: to make realistic commitments and keep these promises Veracity: to be truthful and deal honestly with clients Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (7) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Selected Models of Ethical Decision Making The feminist model calls for maximum involvement of the client at every stage of the process based on the feminist principle that power should be equalized in the therapeutic relationship The transcultural integrative model addresses the need for including cultural factors in the process of resolving ethical dilemmas Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (8) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Selected Models of Ethical Decision Making The social constructionist model focuses primarily on the social aspects of decision making in counseling redefines the ethical decision-making process as an interactive rather than an individual or intrapsychic process and places the decision in the social context itself Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (9) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Steps in Making Ethical Decisions The authors’ approach to thinking through ethical dilemmas: 1. Identify the problem or dilemma 2. Identify the potential issues involved 3. Review the relevant ethics codes 4. Know the applicable laws and regulations 5. Obtain consultation 6. Consider possible and probable courses of action 7. Enumerate the consequences of various decisions 8. Choose what appears to be the best course of action Issues and Ethics - Chapter 1 (10) Corey, 8e, ©2011, Brooks/ Cole – Cengage Learning

Sanders’ Model (pp. 510-511) Assess a situation for its ethical dimensions Seek to define the problem using codes & principles Understand & process your emotional reaction to the problem Seek consultation as needed Determine whom you should be considering Determine if there is a precedent in other cases Consider the possible options Consider possible consequences Make decision and prepare to take appropriate responsibility for actions