1. Ethics in Human Services
Lynn M. Eldridge, MEd
Division of Behavioral Health

2. Definition: Values are beliefs about what is good or desirable which guide choices and motivates our actions.
Values

3. Types of Values Knowledge-Based Value:
“I value driving slowly when the roads are slick because it prevents accidents.”
Aesthetics-Based Value:
“I prefer the color blue because I look good in that color.”
Types of Values

4. Types of Values Moral-Based Value:
“I believe it is wrong to steal because it is illegal, it disrespects others, and violates others.”
Values persist over time. After childhood, values continue to develop and new values are build on the values of the past.
(Kenyon, What would you do? An Ethical Case Workbook for Human Services Professionals, Chapter one)
Types of Values

5. Basic Human Service Values
Assuming responsibility for one’s own actions.
Developing effective strategies for coping with stress (especially stress that comes with the job)
Developing the ability to give and receive affections.
Basic Human Service Values

6. Basic Human Service Values
4. Being sensitive to the feelings of others 5. Practicing self-control 6. Having a sense of purpose for living 7. Being open, honest, and genuine 8. Finding satisfaction in one’s work 9. Having a sense of identity and feelings of worth.
Basic Human Service Values

7. Basic Human Service Values
10. Being skilled in interpersonal relationships, sensitivity and nurturance 11. Being committed in marriage, family, and other relationships 12. Having a deepened self-awareness and motivation for growth 13. Practicing good habits of physical health
Basic Human Service Values

8. Ethics, on the other hand, are rules, standards, and/or moral principles adopted by an individual and/or group that govern conduct and are based on a set of values.
Go over NAADAC Ethical Code here
Ethics

9. Two Types of Ethics Principle Ethics:
A Set of obligations and a method that focuses on moral issues with goals of:
a) solving a particular dilemma and
b) establishing a framework to guide future ethical thinking and behavior.
Two Types of Ethics

10. Principle Ethics: Focuses on Acts and Choices
Principle Ethics: Focuses on Acts and Choices. Asks the question: “What shall I do?”
Two Types of Ethics

11. 2. Virtue Ethics: Focuses on the character traits of the counselor and nonobligatory ideals to which professionals aspire rather than just on solving a specific ethical dilemma. Virtue Ethics ask: “Am I doing what is best for my client?”
Two Types of Ethics

12. We ask clients to open up their lives, to be honest, to choose the way they will change and subject themselves to scrutiny. We as counselors need to be doing the same with our own lives.
Personal Values

13. It is not a matter of having problems or personal needs, but rather how the counselor handles their problems and have their personal needs met.
Personal Values

14. Sometimes a counselor’s personal problems or needs can get in the way of a client’s growth.
There is a danger of depending on our clients as the main source of meeting our needs of admiration, acceptance or belonging.
Personal Values

15. Personal Values Questions to Ask Yourself:
How can I know when I’m working for the client’s benefit and when I’m working for my own benefit?
How much might I depend on clients to tell me how good I am as a person or as a counselor?
(Corey, Corey, Callanan. Issues & Ethics in the Helping Professions 6th Edition, page 38)
Personal Values

16. 3. Am I able to appreciate myself, or do I depend primarily on others to validate my worth and the value of my work?
4. Am I getting my needs for nurturance, recognition, and support met from those who are significant in my life or to my clients?
(Corey, Corey, Callanan. Issues & Ethics in the Helping Professions 6th Edition, page 38)
Personal Values

17. 5. Do I feel inadequate when clients don’t make progress
5. Do I feel inadequate when clients don’t make progress? If so, how could this affect my work with these clients?
Personal Values

18. UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES
Counselors do not have to have all their problems resolved before they can help clients.
These struggles can actually assist the counselor in providing good care for their clients.
If you never felt anxiety before, how could you relate?
If that were the case, there would not be any counselors to assist others.
You do not have to experienced the exact same thing as your client to help them. Thank God that you don’t have to be raped to help a raped victim. But have you ever felt used by another person before and how did you handle it? Have you ever felt grief before and how did you handle it?
UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES

19. UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES
The question is not whether or not you are struggling with personal questions or problems but rather HOW you are struggling with them.
UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES

20. UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES
Questions to ask yourself about whether or not you are effectively dealing with your struggles:
1. Do you see your part in creating your own problems?
2. Are you aware of your alternatives for action?
(Corey, Corey, Callanan. Issues & Ethics in the Helping Professions 6th Edition, page 39)
UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES

21. UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES
3. Do you recognize and try to deal with your problems, or do you invest a lot of energy in denying their existence?
4. Do you find yourself generally blaming others for your problems?
5. Are you willing to consult a therapist, or do you tell yourself that you can handle it, even when it becomes obvious that you are not doing so?
(Corey, Corey, Callanan. Issues & Ethics in the Helping Professions 6th Edition, page 39)
UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES

22. UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES
In short, are you willing to do in your own life what you expect your clients to do?
UNRESOLVED PERSONAL ISSUES

23. Case Scenario-Rollo Do you see anything unethical in Rollo’s behavior?
Is there a point where personal involvement can be counterproductive? How would you determine that?
Do you agree with the supervisor’s suggestion of personal therapy? Why or why not?
Case Scenario-Rollo

24. If you are moved to tears by your clients, does that imply that you have unresolved conflicts? Explain.
Does anger directed toward abusive parents mean that you have unresolved conflicts with your parents?
Case Scenario-Rollo

25. Case Scenario-Rollo Question to ask yourself:
What possible conflicts are you aware of in your life that might get in your way of helping certain clients through their difficulties?
Case Scenario-Rollo

26. Ethical Decision Making
(Corey, Corey, Callanan. Issues & Ethics in the Helping Professions 6th Edition, page 19-22)
Steps in Making an Ethical Decision:
Recognizing a Problem:
a) Gather as much information as possible.
b) Clarify whether or not the conflict is an ethical, legal, clinical, professional, moral issue or any combination of these things.
Ethical Decision Making

27. Ethical Decision Making
c) Look at many perspectives of the conflict. No ethical issue is simple. d) Often ethical dilemmas do not have “right” or “wrong” answers. Be prepared for ambiguity!
Ethical Decision Making

28. Ethical Decision Making
2. Identify the Potential Issues Involved: a) List and describe the critical issues and discard the irrelevant ones. b) Evaluate the rights, responsibilities, and welfare of all those who are affected by the situation.
Ethical Decision Making

29. Ethical Decision Making
c) Consider basic moral principles of: 1) Autonomy 2) Nonmaleficence 3) Beneficence 4) Justice 5) Fidelity 6) Veracity
Ethical Decision Making

30. Ethical Decision Making
d) Remember that good reasons can be presented that supports various sides of a given issue. 3. Review the Relevant Ethics Codes a) Do the standards or principles of your professional organization offer a possible solution to the problem?
Ethical Decision Making

31. Ethical Decision Making
b) Consider whether your own values or ethics are consistent with or in conflict with the relevant codes. c) You can also contact your professional organization for assistance with interpretation of an ethical standard.
Ethical Decision Making

32. Ethical Decision Making
4) Know the Applicable Laws and Regulations. a) Keep up to date on relevant state and federal laws that apply to ethical dilemmas. b) Make sure you understand the current rules and regulations of the agency or organization where you work.
Ethical Decision Making

33. Ethical Decision Making
5. Obtain Consultation. a) Talk to a colleague or colleagues to obtain different perspectives on the problem. b) Consider talking to more than one professional and do not limit the individuals with whom you will consult to those who share your viewpoint.
Ethical Decision Making

34. Ethical Decision Making
c) Present the situation to the person you are consulting with and ask: Are there any factors you are not considering? Are you considering all the ethical, clinical and legal issues? d) Document the nature of your consultation just in case this becomes a licensing board or court issue.
Meaning your license or certification could be in jeopardy or you could be in court.
Ethical Decision Making

35. Ethical Decision Making
6) Consider Possible and Probable Courses of Action: a) Brainstorm Options b) Remember that one course of action may be no action at all. c) Discuss the options of resolution with your client as well as with other professionals as appropraite.
Ethical Decision Making

36. Ethical Decision Making
7. Enumerate the Consequences of Various Decisions: a) Ponder the implications of each course of action; on the client, others who are related to the client and for you. b) Discussion with your client about consequences for him or her is important.
Ethical Decision Making

37. Ethical Decision Making
8. Decide on What Appears to be the Best Course of Action: a) Carefully consider the information you have received from various sources. b) The more obvious the dilemma, the clearer the course of action. c) Follow up to determine outcomes and see if any further action is needed.
Ethical Decision Making

38. Get with a partner and answer the following questions:
What criteria could you use to determine whether touching your clients was therapeutic or counter therapeutic?
Do you think that some clients may never be ready to engage in touching in therapy?
Corey, Corey, Callanan. Issues & Ethics in the Helping Professions 6th Edition, page 163)
Touching Clients

39. What factors do you need to consider in determining the appropriateness of touching clients? (ie: age, gender, type of client, client’s problems)
If you are favorably inclined toward the practice of touching clients, are you likely to restrict this practice to opposite-sex clients? Same-sex clients?
Corey, Corey, Callanan. Issues & Ethics in the Helping Professions 6th Edition, page 162)
Touching Clients