1. Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy TENTH EDITION
Gerald Corey
Cengage Learning

2. Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice
CHAPTER 3
Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice

3. Professional Ethics
Ethics codes are a fundamental component of effective counseling:
They are guidelines that outline professional standards of behavior and practice
Codes do not make decisions for counselors
Counselors must interpret and apply ethical codes to their decision-making
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (1)

4. Types of Ethics
Mandatory Ethics deals with the minimum level of professional practice
Aspirational Ethics involves the highest standards of thinking and conduct
Positive Ethics is an approach taken by practitioners who want to do their best for clients rather than simply meet minimum standards to stay out of trouble
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (2)

5. Ethical Decision Making (slide 1 of 2)
The principles that underlie our professional codes
Benefit others, do no harm, respect other’s autonomy, be just, fair, and faithful
The role of ethical codes:
They educate us about responsibilities, are a basis for accountability and improving professional practice, and protect clients
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (3)

6. Ethical Decision Making (slide 2 of 2)
Making ethical decisions:
Identify the problem, review relevant codes and laws, seek consultation, brainstorm, list consequences, decide and document the reasons for your actions
To the degree it is possible, include the client in your decision making process
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (4)

7. Informed Consent (slide 1 of 2)
Clients need enough information about the counseling process to make informed choices
Educate clients about their rights and responsibilities
Address privacy issues with clients, including the implications of using technology to communicate
Informed consent empowers clients and helps to build trust with them
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (5)

8. Informed Consent (slide 2 of 2)
Should include information such as:
Therapeutic procedures and goals
Approximate length of treatment
Risks/benefits and alternatives to treatment
The right to withdraw from treatment
Costs or fees
The counselor’s use of supervision
The limits of confidentiality
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (6)

9. Limits of Confidentiality
Confidentiality is essential but not absolute
Exceptions:
Client poses a danger to self or others
Clients who are children/minors, dependent adults, or older adults are victims of abuse
Client needs to be hospitalized
Information is made an issue in a court action
Client requests a release of record
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (7)

10. Technology and Privacy
Confidentiality and privacy can become more complicated when technology is involved
ACA Code of Ethics (2014) contains a new set of standards with regard to the use of technology, computer-mediated communication, and social media as a delivery platform
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (8)

11. Ethics and Culture
Current theories can and need to be expanded to include a multicultural perspective
Assumptions made about mental health and illness, human development, and the nature of effective treatment may have little relevance for some clients
Theories should incorporate an interactive person-in-the-environment focus
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (9)

12. Ethics and Social Justice
Counselors must be mindful of social justice issues to practice ethically and effectively
An adequate theory of counseling does deal with the social and cultural factors of an individual’s problems
A counselor or therapist should facilitate social action that leads to change within the client’s community rather than merely increasing the individual’s insight
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (10)

13. The Assessment Process
Assessment is an ongoing process designed to help the counselor evaluate key elements of a client’s psychological functioning
Influenced by the therapist's theoretical orientation
Requires cultural sensitivity
Can be helpful in treatment planning
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (11)

14. Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the process of identifying a pattern of symptoms which fit the criteria for a specific mental disorder defined in the DSM-5
Requires cultural sensitivity
Practitioners debate whether a diagnosis is necessary
Can be helpful in treatment planning
If used only for insurance purposes, can lead to ethical dilemmas
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (12)

15. Strengths of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
Treatments have been validated by empirical research
Treatments are usually brief and standardized
Are preferred by many insurance companies
Calls for accountability among mental health providers to use effective treatment approaches
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (13)

16. Criticisms of EBP
Considered by some to be mechanistic and insensitive to individual differences
Not well-suited for working with existential concerns
Difficult to measure both relational and technical aspects of a psychological treatment
Can be misused as a method of cost containment for insurance companies rather than as a way of improving the quality of services
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (14)

17. Multiple or Dual Relationships (slide 1 of 2)
Not inherently unethical
Must be managed ethically to protect client’s well-being
Examples of nonsexual dual relationships include socializing or starting a business venture with a client, bartering services for goods, or borrowing money
Sexual relationships with current or former clients are exploitive and can result in serious harm
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (15)

18. Multiple or Dual Relationships (slide 2 of 2)
A few helpful questions:
Will the dual relationship keep me from confronting and challenging the client?
Will my needs for the relationship become more important than therapeutic activities?
Can my client manage the dual relationship?
Whose needs are being met?
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (16)

19. Social Media and Boundaries
Social media raises many ethical concerns for practitioners regarding boundaries, dual relationships, confidentiality, and privacy
Counselors and therapists should:
Limit what is shared online
Include social networking policies as part of informed consent
Regularly update protective settings because privacy rules change
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 3 (17)