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Summative Assessment: Integrative Paper

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University

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Summative Assessment: Integrative Paper

As a counselor, one of the ethical and legal challenges I might encounter in my

professional practice is a personal conflict between my own values and the professional code of

ethics I am expected to uphold. This can happen when my personal beliefs and values clash with

the ethical principles of the American Counseling Association (ACA). To illustrate this

challenge, I will describe a fictional scenario of a realistic ethical dilemma that might happen in

the context of my future counseling practice.

Scenario

A client who is a devout Christian comes to me seeking counseling for relationship

problems. During the course of the session, the client mentions that they are considering divorce.

As a devout Christian myself, I believe that divorce is a sin and goes against my personal values

and beliefs. However, as a counselor, I am expected to uphold the professional code of ethics set

by the ACA and to provide a safe and non-judgmental environment for my clients.

Alternative Perspectives

In this situation, I have an ethical dilemma since my personal values and views contradict

with the obligations I have as a counselor. On one hand, divorce offends my moral principles and

I think it is a sin. On the other side, I am supposed to respect my clients' autonomy when it

comes to making decisions about their lives and to offer a secure and nonjudgmental

environment for them as a counselor.

ACA Code of Ethics

Counselors are mandated by the ACA Code of Ethics (2005) to "respect the autonomy of

clients" and "refrain from imposing their views, beliefs, or personal lifestyles on clients." (A.2.a,

A.2.b). This means that even if my clients' decisions conflict with my own ideas and values, it is

still my responsibility as a counselor to give them a secure and judgment-free atmosphere and

support their right to make their own decisions.

NBCC and AMCHA Codes of Ethics

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Code of Ethics and the Association

for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCHA) Code of Ethics may vary from the

ACA code in some respects, but they also emphasize the importance of respecting the autonomy

of clients and avoiding imposing personal values and beliefs on them.

Statutes, Rules, and Guidelines in California

The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) oversees counseling practice in California.

Counselors are required to respect client autonomy and refrain from imposing their own personal

ideas and opinions on them, according to the BBS's code of ethics and standards of practice.

Decision-Making Model

One way I would analyze the ethical dilemma and make an informed ethical decision is

through the use of a decision-making model. The Ethical Decision-Making Model is one such

model that provides a structured process for analyzing ethical dilemmas and making informed

decisions based on relevant ethical codes, laws, and professional standards.

In the context of a personal conflict between personal values and professional ethical

codes, Welfel (2015) outlines the following steps that would inform my decision-making

process:

Gather information: The first step in the decision-making process is to gather relevant

information about the ethical dilemma, including the ACA Code of Ethics, relevant state laws,

and any other professional standards that may be relevant.

Identify the ethical issues: The next step is to identify the ethical issues that are in conflict and

the relevant provisions of the ACA Code of Ethics, relevant state laws, and professional

standards.

Consider alternative perspectives: It is important to consider alternative perspectives in the

ethical dilemma, including the perspectives of the counselor, the client, and other relevant

stakeholders.

Analyze the options: The counselor should then analyze the options available in resolving the

ethical dilemma, taking into consideration the provisions of the ACA Code of Ethics, relevant

state laws, and professional standards.

Choose a course of action: Based on the analysis of the options, the counselor should choose a

course of action that is consistent with the provisions of the ACA Code of Ethics, relevant state

laws, and professional standards.

Evaluate the decision: The final step is to evaluate the decision and determine if it was the

correct course of action. This may involve seeking guidance from a counseling supervisor or

engaging in ongoing supervision to receive support and guidance in navigating ethical dilemmas.
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The provisions of the ACA Code of Ethics inform the decision-making process by

providing guidance on the ethical obligations of counselors and the ethical considerations that

should be taken into account when making decisions in the counseling relationship. The

provisions of relevant state laws also provide guidance on the legal requirements that must be

followed in the counseling relationship (Francis & Dugger, 2014).

Legal and Ethical Issues and Processes

The significant legal and ethical issues and processes facing a counselor in this scenario are

maintaining client autonomy, avoiding the imposition of personal values and beliefs, and

upholding the professional code of ethics. To resolve this dilemma, I need to adhere to the

professional code of ethics, respect the client's autonomy, and maintain a safe and non-

judgmental environment for them (Corey et al., 2014).

Role of counselling supervisor

According to Lee & Cashwell (2002) a counseling supervisor plays a crucial role in

ensuring that ethical standards are upheld within a counseling practice. In a scenario where a

counselor encounters an ethical dilemma, the supervisor can provide guidance and support in

navigating the situation. The supervisor can help the counselor understand the ethical codes of

conduct, relevant laws and regulations, and decision-making models to make an ethical decision.

Additionally, the supervisor can act as a mediator in conflicts between the counselor and other

stakeholders, such as clients, agencies, or other members of the counseling team.

In the case of a conflict between a counselor's personal values and the professional code of

ethics, the supervisor can offer guidance on how to reconcile these conflicting values in a way

that aligns with the ethical standards of the counseling profession. The supervisor may also be
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able to provide the counselor with resources, such as literature or workshops, that can help them

better understand and reconcile these conflicting values (Lee & Cashwell, 2002).

In the event that a counselor discovers that another counselor has violated an ethical

standard, the supervisor can play a crucial role in ensuring that the situation is handled

appropriately. The supervisor may be responsible for investigating the situation, determining the

facts, and taking appropriate disciplinary action if necessary. Additionally, the supervisor may be

responsible for ensuring that the violated ethical standards are addressed and that the affected

clients receive appropriate support (Lee & Cashwell, 2002).

Risk management strategies and self-evaluation practices

According to Francis & Dugger (2014) Risk management and self-evaluation practices are

important tools for resolving ethical dilemmas in counseling practice. These strategies help to

mitigate the risks associated with ethical violations and ensure that counselors maintain the

highest ethical standards in their practice.

One risk management strategy that counselors can use is to stay informed about relevant

laws, regulations, and ethical codes of conduct. By regularly reviewing these resources,

counselors can ensure that they are aware of the latest developments in their field and can adapt

their practice accordingly. Additionally, they can take steps to ensure that their clients are aware

of the ethical codes of conduct and laws that govern their practice (Corey et al., 2014).

Another risk management strategy is to document all client interactions and decisions. This

documentation can serve as evidence in the event of an ethical violation, helping to demonstrate

that the counselor followed appropriate ethical standards in their practice. Additionally, regular
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self-reflection and self-evaluation can help counselors identify areas of weakness in their practice

and make changes to improve their ethical standards (Francis & Dugger, 2014).

Counselors can also mitigate the risks associated with ethical dilemmas by seeking

supervision and guidance from a counseling supervisor. Supervisors can provide support and

guidance in navigating ethical dilemmas and can help counselors develop strategies for

mitigating risks in their practice. Additionally, supervisors can help counselors identify areas for

improvement and suggest strategies for reducing the risk of ethical violations (Corey et al., 2014.

Proposed resolution to this dilemma

Corey et al. (2014) mentions that in resolving the ethical dilemma of conflicting personal

values with professional ethical codes of conduct, it is important to approach the situation with

critical thought and self-awareness. One possible resolution I would employ is to seek guidance

from a counseling supervisor who can provide support and guidance in navigating this dilemma.

Additionally, it is important for me as a counselor to engage in regular self-reflection and

self-evaluation to identify areas of potential ethical violations and to take steps to mitigate the

risks associated with these violations. This may involve seeking additional training and

education or engaging in ongoing supervision to receive support and guidance in navigating

ethical dilemmas (Corey et al., 2014)

According to Welfel (2015), one approach to resolving ethical dilemmas is through the use

of ethical decision-making models. These models provide a structured process for considering

ethical dilemmas and making informed decisions. One such model, the Ethical Decision-Making

Model, provides a framework for analyzing ethical dilemmas and making decisions based on

relevant ethical codes, laws, and professional standards.

Conclusion

As a counselor, you may face ethical and legal difficulties as a result of conflicts between

your personal and professional principles, laws, and ethical standards, new agency regulations,

ethical transgressions by coworkers, and various interpretations of ethical standards.

Understanding the ACA Code of Ethics and pertinent state legislation, using a decision-making

model, getting advice from a supervisor, and engaging in risk management and self-evaluation

are all crucial. Counselors can offer their clients effective and ethical services by being aware of

and guided by ethical principles and standards.

References

American Counseling Association. (2005). ACA code of ethics: As approved by the ACA

Governing Council, 2005. American Counseling Association.

Corey, G., Corey, M. S., Corey, C., & Callanan, P. (2014). Issues and ethics in the helping

professions, updated with 2014 ACA codes. Cengage Learning.

Francis, P. C., & Dugger, S. M. (2014). Professionalism, ethics, and value‐based conflicts in

counseling: An introduction to the special section. Journal of Counseling & Development,

92(2), 131-134.

Lee, R. W., & Cashwell, C. S. (2002). Ethical issues in counseling supervision: A comparison of

university and site supervisors. The Clinical Supervisor, 20(2), 91-100.

Welfel, E. R. (2015). Ethics in counseling & psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.