Counseling Ethical Issues, Research Paper Example

Ethical considerations are a growing concern when it comes to counseling.  There are many factors to take into account when counseling ethical issues.  Depending on the situations, there could be personal conflicts that can directly affect the ability to maintain professionalism during counseling.  The counselors personal views on marriage, divorce, extramarital affairs, religion, right to die, alternative lifestyles, and multicultural and gender differences could alter their ability to remain ethical and professional.  In addition to the personal conflicts, there may also be professional countertransferences that could surface.

Common counselor impairments that may arise are:  (Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice)

• Being overprotective with a client.
  Treating clients in benign, superficial ways.
  Rejecting a client.
  Needing constant reinforcement and approval.
  Seeing yourself in you clients.
  Developing sexual or romantic feelings toward a client.
  Giving advice compulsively.
  Desiring a social relationship with a client.
  Delaying termination

In this type of situation, the individual counselor’s needs are being met more than the clients.  It is an ethical issue that does surface in counseling more often than it should. Regardless of the level of counseling, it is imperative to keep the clients best interest in mind and adhere to the professional standards and regulations.

Ethical counseling affects people of all ages. Most schools have counselors to address issues that students may be facing. There are often ethical challenges on what to do or say in the best interest of the student while adhering to personal, professional, and legal obligations.  “Today’s school counselors deal routinely with complicated situations in which students have acute counseling needs, including cases of severe depression and suicidal ideation, pregnancy, substance abuse, school violence, and child abuse.” (Page, Pietrzak, & Sutton, 2001)  The counselor has to remove all personal opinions on the situation in order to effectively counsel the students that need their help.  If the counselor is unable to do so, then the best option would be to hand over that particular case to a supervisor or a counselor better suited for the situation.

• According to a study done at the University of South Carolina Upstate, they find that Ethical codes in counseling usually have 5 basic principles: (University of South Carolina Upstate)
• Benefit others – do what enhances client well-being
• Do no harm – avoid high-risk activities
• Respect others’ autonomy – clients have freedom of thought and freedom to chose their direction.  Help clients think clearly and weigh consequences
• Be just or fair – provide equal or fair treatment to all clients
• Be faithful – make honest promises and honor these promises

Regardless of the type of counseling that is being done, it is inevitable that ethical issues will arise.  They need to be addressed professionally and adhere to all laws applicable to that situation.  Counselors are expected and trained to be professionals.  If they are unable to step outside of their individual biases or feelings, the only ethical option left is to refer the client to someone who is more capable of helping that individual.  Counseling ethical issues will never be easy, but avoiding compromising situations will allow the counselor an opportunity to successfully help their clients.

References

Page, B. J., Pietrzak, D. R., & Sutton, J. M. (2001). National survey of school counselor supervision. Counselor Education and Supervision, p.41, 142–150.

Personal, Professional, and Ethical Issues in Counseling.  University of South Carolina Upstate.  Retrieved from http://www.understandingrelationships.net/412CourseMaterials/Personal,%20Professional,%20and%20Ethical%20Issues%20New%20Template.ppt

Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice.  Retrieved from http://facultyfp.salisbury.edu/iewhite/Clinical%20Psych%20Ethical%20Issues.doc