Ethical Analysis - Case Study Example

Ethical Case Study Analysis This research paper has analyzed the ethical issues and dilemmas that are presented in this case study. This paper helped James how to deal with issue and develop effective course of action to resolve the issue. The assignment has given proper justifications to the selection of the course of actions. Forester-Miller and Davis ethical decision making model has been adopted and implemented in this study to resolve the issues. Introduction The specific article has explored the case of James. He is a community counseling student. It is true that community counselors often face several ethical dilemmas in their decision making process. In this case study three different ethical dilemmas have been presented that will be identified. After going through entire case study, this first ethical dilemma can be drawn, which is whether should James break or not break the confidentiality of Lisa to disclose her childhood abuse in the absence of the abuser as Lisa did not share this issue with others except James. Lisa is the first client of James. Moreover, James should think about whether he should consider moral and ethical values and assumptions with his professional counseling and decision making activities. The second ethical dilemma is that the Ex-Girlfriend of James is his supervisor. Use of Unauthorized credential can be considered as the ethical dilemma in this case. Last but not the least; James did not go through the intake documents of Lisa before starting the treatment. It can be considered as third ethical dilemma in this case. These three ethical dilemmas or concerns of this particular case intersect legal, professional and personal standards that need to be considered by James. In this research work, Forester-Miller and Davis ethical-decision making model has been implemented in order to resolve the dilemmas. Analysis This part of the research paper will analyze the nature of the issues. Moreover, this part will recommend some alternative courses of actions under the Forester-Miller and Davis ethical decision making model to resolve the three above mentioned ethical dilemmas or conflicts. Nature and Dimensions of three ethical issue In terms of first ethical dilemma, Lisa did not share this issue or conflict with others except James. Moreover, the abuser is no more in this world. Therefore, it can be considered as a critical ethical dilemma for James whether he should disclose the incident in public according to the legal consideration. On the other hand, according to professional consideration, it is the responsibility of James to solve the issue without affecting the socio-cultural context of Lisa. James may find it difficult to act neutrally in this case due to the presence of personal consideration. According to morality and ethics, it is responsibility of James to take care each and every issue of Lisa without affecting her workplace background and employment opportunity. On the other hand, James is trying to use the advantage of the supervisory work of his ex-girlfriend which can be considered as critical ethical issue as in this field of work each and every individual needs to follow work ethics respectively. Lastly, it is highly important to determine each and every issues and related aspects of one individual before starting treatment. But, James did not do that. Inadequate personal knowledge about Lisa’s past cases before starting treatment can be considered as serious ethical offense of James. Therefore, it can be stated that personal consideration, legal consideration and professional considerations are the major natures and dimensions of these three ethical issues. Identification of Ethical Code numbers Both APA and ACA code of ethics or ethical standards need to be considered and implemented in this case in order to resolve the issue. The APA ethical code of conducts and psychologist’s principles consists of introduction, preamble, five different general principles, and precise ethical standard. These codes of conducts help the community counselors or several psychologists to save people and protect their human rights from the hand of injustice, social conflict, communal conflict, harassments, ethical violations, gender and racial discriminations, and culture discrimination (Herman, 1993). On the other hand, ACA ethical code of conduct is consists of eight major sections that are developed for the community counselors and psychologists to enhance human development by recognize cross-cultural approach and diversity. According to the sections under ACA code of conducts, professional values are important way to enhance ethical commitment. According to the utilization of both APA and ACA codes, it is important for James to ensure legal and moral justice for Lisa as she was harassed and abused both sexually and physically by the abuser due to his alcoholic nature. Therefore, according to APA codes, it is the responsibility of James to take care of the human rights protection aspect of Lisa (Forester-Miller & Davis, 1996). On the other hand, according to the ACA code of ethics it is highly important for James to take disclose the truth professionally in order to enhance proper justice. Alternative courses of action First of all, it is important for James to consider the level of racial identity development aspect as he belongs to a small rural town. It is true that Lisa’s depression due to the physical and sexual abuse in childhood created dilemma in decision making process of James. Therefore, he has to understand and study these aspects and consider the socio-cultural aspect of Lisa quite effectively, expertly and professionally in order to understand and control the socio-cultural issue behind the incident. Secondly, James may refer to the professional standards and abide by law, rules and legislation to rectify the conflicts and dilemmas. Following of developed procedures and institutional policies may help James as well as Lisa to get justice in a logical and arranged way that may benefit both of their socio-cultural aspect. Last but not the least; thirdly James may maintain confidentiality during his course of action to resolve the issue (Toporek, 2004). James may disclose Lisa’s statement only when James has strong reason to disclose it. Therefore, it can be stated that the James can deal professionally with this matter if Lisa constitutes an abrupt risk to others or herself. Implication of each alternative action Once the plans and implementation ways of planned course of actions are developed, it is important for James to carry out intended and decided course of actions with integrity, morality, self-confidence. Right after the implication, it is important responsibility of James to evaluate the performance and effects of the course of actions. In addition to this, James should be prepared to follow up for next event as it is the responsibility of the counselor or supervisor to build a strong relationship with clients. It can also help James in near future to improve the quality of further implementations. There are both advantages and disadvantages of this implication. If James thinks professionally then it may help him to gain exposure and experience in his professional career. But, he may lose the faith or trust of his client. It may stop him to maintain good relationship with his clients. Course of action and justification for the selection Consideration and implementation of confidentiality in his course of action can help James to maintain good relationship with Lisa. It is true that he may have to deal with Lisa in near future regarding other issue. It may help James to gain effective experience in near future. This implication may help James to narrow the development and selection of potential actions in future. In addition to this, this morality and ethical consideration can help James to develop good relationship and level of understanding with both the parties, which is quite important in the context of specific case. However, each and every decision needs to be made with well-being and acceptability of the client purpose in mind as it will help to become a successful and professional counselor. Conclusion It is clear from above discussed facts and analysis, that adoption and implementation of Forester-Miller and Davis ethical decision making model will help James to overcome the ethical dilemmas during the decision making model as The counselor; James has to deal with the situation both professionally, personally and legally. Most importantly, it is highly important for the counselor to develop and maintain good relationship with both the parties as it will help James to gain enough and sufficient experience to open up his private practice in his office in his home town. This specific successful counseling may help James to enhance more client acquisition and retention of potential clients quite effectively and comprehensively. References Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. (1996). A practitioners guide to ethical decision making.ACA Online Resource Catalog, Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/practitioners_guide.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Herman, K. (1993). Reassessing Predictors of Therapist Competence. Journal of Counseling and Development, 42(2), 17. Toporek, R. (2004). Multicultural Counseling Competencies: Ethical Practice, Journal of mental Health Counseling, 12(1), 2. Read More