Analysis of Ethics - Case Study Example

Ethics Case Study The ethical considerations regarding this case comprise of the fact that Mary has felt Jean would do something drastic which will make Mary’s husband realize that she is seeking counseling. Since she knows she has to come back to her husband sooner rather than later, she has become apprehensive. The ethical considerations arise in the wake of Jean not reporting this matter to the police, where she is in a fix because if she tells the police then this case would be dealt under a legal heading (Maki 2004). The trauma which Mary and her kid have had already is much to her distress. Now if she is taken under the police protection, it will make her feel even more stressed. Hence it is a problematic situation for both Jean and Mary because both these women are under severe doubts as to what the corrective actions in the future are going to be. The ethical considerations thus need to be properly scrutinized before an adequate decision is reached upon by Mary as well as her counselor. Jean should have told Mary that whatever she will be telling her would remain private and confidential and would not be revealed to anyone. However since this case involves severe beating down of the mother as well as the kid, the role of police and law authorities is an understandable proposition. Hence it would be fitting to state that Jean should have told Mary right in the beginning that confidentiality aspects might arise as and when she spoke about her tyranny with Jean. Even though this would have put Mary under some form of stress related with the complete disclosure that she eventually did in front of Jean, it would have been a better and more preferred option in the case of Mary and her saga (Urofsky 2003). She would have balanced out the positives as well as negatives of revealing her problems in front of Jean. Once again it would be an ethical consideration on the part of Jean to understand whether or not Mary’s case requires complete confidentiality or the same aspects need to be told to the authorities which could take care of her and the baby in a better manner. One should believe that since Jean already knows a good deal about the situation at hand, it would be better if she sits down with Mary again and tries explaining the problems that she could find herself plagued with, in the future. It would be best to solve the problems related with her marriage and the relationship that her husband has with Mary and the kid. It is useless to have a relationship which is based on beating and battering. It would be a better alternative to address the problems which have engulfed the lives of the mother and the kid. Jean should make sure that the police would help Mary and the kid, and would not put both the mother and the kid under any form of stress (Sanders 1998). The basic ideology is to help both of them and not put them under any stress whatsoever. Jean should address this issue with a level headed approach and must stick to the ethical domains more than anything else, as this will be the best way forward. As explained earlier, Jean should tell Mary whatever she thinks of the whole situation and try her best to explain where Mary is going wrong with regards to her own condition as well as of her kid. Jean should tell Mary that she is indeed risking not only her own life but also of the kid, therefore it would be a better option to revisit the alternatives that exist in the wake of such a situation. The ethical considerations could also be told to Mary so that she understands the position under which Jean is stuck and how Jean could look after the needs and requirements of Mary and her kid in the best manner possible (Hill 2004). Jean should also arrange for the police to get involved so that Mary could have some form of confidence with her to face her husband and solve the long standing problems in her domestic life with her husband. Her husband needs to be told that he cannot go about doing anything on his own wish and that there are certain rules to follow within marriage and indeed life. Jean definitely needs to consult with her high-ups and seek their relevant advice so that she does not find herself in hot waters due to a mistake on her end. A mistake would mean risking the lives of both Mary and her kid. Therefore the responsibility that Jean is under is of utmost significance for the overall betterment of both Mary and her kid. One must make sure that Jean gets in touch with her seniors and ask for their help in this scenario (Miranti 2005). She can even go and ask her seniors as to how she will solve the anomaly related with Mary and her kid who are left on their own at the end of the day. Indeed it is important for the seniors to be open and direct with her so that any apprehensions they have are resolved in an amicable way, much suited to the likes of Mary and her kid. Jean has a huge responsibility to fulfill as concerns to Mary and her kid. Since Mary has revealed just about everything to Jean, now it is Jean’s duty to repose the confidence and trust which Mary had in her. Simply leaving the shelter would mean that Mary had some doubts about Jean and her underlying intentions. Jean should make sure that she sits with Mary and does away with all her fears. This would solve the problems related with Mary and her kid. It would also be a better option to have some similar case studies in the past revealed to Mary so that she could become relaxed whilst staying within the domains of the shelter (Blocher 2000). Jean has a role to play within the thick of things as far as Mary and her kid are concerned because now Mary is dependent on the advice and commitment of Jean. Jean must make sure that she gives her best shot as far as solving the problem of Mary and her kid. There are a number of considerations which must be discussed in the end. Most of these rely a great deal on the role played by Jean. In fact it is best advisable for Jean to be on her toes and face all the music in the wake of any misfortune event happening at the shelter. She must be ready to bear the brunt because Mary’s husband can do anything to harm Jean, Mary or her kid. Also there is the important consideration of Jean reporting to the police the whole saga of Mary so that Mary could be given cover and protection by the police (Moline 1995). Jean also has to make sure that Mary’s dignity does not get spoiled during this whole period of trauma and distress. And lastly there is the important element of looking after the respective health regimes of both Mary and her kid as well (Williams 2004). All these considerations need to be properly taken care of so that Mary could feel safe for not only her own self but also for her kid. Jean has a huge role to play and she must realize the gravity of the whole situation at hand. Works Cited Blocher, Donald H. Counseling: A Developmental Approach. John Wiley & Sons, 2000 Hill, Adam L. Ethical Analysis in Counseling: A Case for Narrative Ethics, Moral Visions, and Virtue Ethics. Counseling and Values, Vol. 48, 2004 Maki, Dennis R. Handbook of Rehabilitation Counseling. Springer, 2004 Miranti, Judith G. Religious and Spiritual Issues in Counseling: Applications across Diverse Populations. Brunner-Routledge, 2005 Moline, Mary E. Ethical and Legal Issues in Group Counseling. Ethics & Behavior, Vol. 5, 1995 Sanders, Laura M. Addiction and Pregnancy: Empowering Recovery through Peer Counseling. Praeger Publishers, 1998 Urofsky, Robert I. Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, and Counseling Ethics: Not an Abstraction. Counseling and Values, Vol. 47, 2003 Williams, Fritz. Ethics for Everyone: How to Increase Your Moral Intelligence. The Humanist, Vol. 64, January 2004 Word Count: 1,261 Read More