Counselor Ethical Boundaries and Practices - Term Paper Example

Ethical Boundaries Introduction: As a successful client counselor, it is mandatory for the individual to know and understand the ethical boundaries described in counseling and client relationship. It is a very vital element. It is through these ethical boundaries that the counselor is able to design strategies for the relationship so that an effective plan can be formulated for the process of counseling. Sometimes the boundaries are well defined and clear for the counselors while some will find it ethically complex. In this regard, different counselors adopt different approaches so that they can entertain the relationship boundaries that are ethically strong and results in effective professional relationships with the clients. This paper is aimed to study the counselor’s ethical boundaries and practices from a counselor’s perspective. The paper also reflects some ideas, models and tactics that are discussed in three different sections. Sometimes the scenarios in the client-counselor relationships would be much complex and problematic, and boundaries in such situations would be vague and confusing. Such scenarios does not fall under any reserved ethical codes and needs proper planning and strategies. There are several questions, which a counselor is confused about depending on different situations. As the client changes, the ethical situation also changes. Some questions are ethically answered while some needs an understanding to the defined approaches (Pope & Vasquez, 2010). However, there are many codes of ethics and set of ethical standards which are issued by different agencies and ethical institutions. These codes of ethics are there to help the counselors to conduct their therapies and session with clients in an ethical manner. These ethical codes are presented by American Psychological Association Code of Ethics which defines different ethical conducts in its different sections. However there are different theories as well which also helps the counselor for successful counseling. Theories such as Rule-Based ethics: Deontology, Agent Focused theories: Ethics of care and more are there to guide the counselors in different situations. Sometimes the counselor is unable to calculate and balance these ethics with the practical situation which he confronts while counseling. He faces different scenarios in which he has to balance the ethical standards with the care and help of his client (Welfel, 2012). A counselor is easily able to answer the variance in the ethical boundaries if he has made some clear and thorough understanding of the ethical codes and has adopted a model / theory or any other approach. Let us consider these scenarios and what should be done. Moreover, ideas and plans are also discussed in the following three sections of the paper Section 1 A) In the case of dual relationships with clients and the ethical standards, which are set sometimes, make it difficult for the counselor to come up with an efficient ethical model that fits the scenario thus creating difficulties and problems. Sometimes the dual relationship can be of major trouble because of the advantages and disadvantages that are associated with it and are foreseen. Hence, it is very important and efficient for the counselor to come up with a strong working plan, model or strategy (Gregoire, 2012). If I was a counselor and I have different circumstances, which I have to face in a dual relationship with the client, I am sure I had adopted the consequentialist ethical theories. Through such a theory, I may be able to calculate the consequence of the decision I will make. Utilitarian theory is an example of consequentialism. Through it, what is good for people and what action will have a positive result are analyzed (Anderson & Handelsman, 2011). This can be understood by the example of a client who is a patient and suicidal. It is understood that by hospitalizing, it will increase her anger and her chances of suicide will increase. However, you know that she will be safe in the hospital, but you will feel concern for her and you will evaluate her anger, chances of suicide and her living at home with her concern of well being. These can be well understood through the given four criteria; 1- It is winter, and it is inches of snow everywhere. I offer my client a ride home as she has a slick wheel car and I have a four wheel drive. This is a boundary crossing situation, but it will ensure that she is safe and reaches home safely. 2- I have a client who is the drama coach of my son’s drama club. This is again a type of dual relationship, but then again it is manageable as I can talk about the boundaries and other stuff and sort it out ethically. 3- My client is a banker and he is offering me different investment consultations all for free. In this situation I will find it as a dual relationship with the client and I will tell him that I do not need it as it is not ethical. However, I can always avail his services, but in favor of paying him his fees. 4- I have a client who is internally broken and cries in front of you, I pat her hand gently to make her feel comfortable. This may fall under boundary crossing scenario depending on how the touching is conceived, but I did to make her feel normal and strong. B) Dual Relationships leaves a counselor in a complex situation. If I see my past clients with which I had some sort of dual relationship or which were ethically boundary crossing or violating than I analyze the principle of ethics with that of humanity. Sometimes care and humanity leads ethics according to me and that is what gives rise to dual relationships. It does not harm or exploit the patient, but it actually is beneficial for him or her. Dual relationships do not exist after the termination of therapy while exceptions are always there. The boundary violation can be understood by a client who just got separated from her husband and is crying. Then, suddenly she asks you to hold her. Similarly, you visit an art exhibition at a gallery. You discover that the artist is your former client and he is very friendly and invites you for a drink later. According to ethics, there are different beliefs; some say that it depends on the time that therapy has been terminated, while some suggest that it is ethically alright as long as it does not involve any sexual interaction. Therefore, you have to come up with a decision which should not violate the ethical standards (Gregoire, 2012). Part 2: A counselor may perform diverse duties. He may act as a counselor, a consultant, mediator, advisor, facilitator etc. However, it is unethical for a counselor to counsel or help someone outside his field of practice. If a counselor collaborates with an addiction counselor and helps him to counsel his client then it is ethically wrong; however, if it can save the life of client then some theories of ethics can be implemented such as ‘consequentialism’. Some clients need more and special counseling and attention which one counselor might not give him. Therefore at times two counselors collaborate to help the client so that he or she may cure and recover quickly and effectively. Many counselors do professional collaboration in counseling as this does not harm or exploit both the client and counselor and is strictly done for the benefit and help of the client. In this way, the quality and amount of care and attention given to the client is also doubled and guaranteed (Missouri Responsive Services, 2010). However, many of the jobs illustrated above may not be in accordance with the code of ethics, but it is neither unethical when talking about the benefits of the client. The codes which are presented by different bodies are utilized by the counselors which they merge with the theories and design a strategy so that they can easily conduct their counseling without violating the ethics and harming clients (Welfel, 2012). Section 3: Regardless of different scenarios, which I have or I may face as a counselor, I have to follow the code of ethics and the theories. However, I believe that the course of ethics should be revised and it should be analyzed thoroughly again by the ethics and theory makers. As sometimes it is difficult for me and other counselors to look every aspect of the issue ethically and we have to neglect one or more aspect. This may result in the loss of client sometimes as well. Therefore, the need is to cover all aspects. For example, I work in a counseling clinic with two more therapists / counselors. I have a client who has her last appointment today and she is very happy with the sessions. She brings brownies for me and my colleagues as gratitude. It is ethically wrong as I will be crossing the boundaries, but it will make the client happy and there is no harm in that either. It does not harm or exploit the client as well. Hence, counseling can be very complex at times. The vitality for an effective and strong approach and strategy is very important for a counselor if he or she wants to counsel clients effectively within the ethics described. However, sometimes there are some scenarios in which the strategies would not even work. In such cases, it depends completely on the counselor to evaluate the case and does not cross or violate the ethical standards. Reference List Anderson, S. K., & Handelsman, M. M. (2011). Ethics for Psychotherapists and Counselors: A Proactive Approach. Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. Gregoire, J. (2012). Counseling Ethics: Philosophical and Professional Foundations. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Missouri Responsive Services. (2010). Collaboration and Consultation. Missouri: Missouri Responsive Services. Pope, K. S., & Vasquez, M. J. (2010). Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide. Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. Welfel, E. R. (2012). Ethics in Counseling & Psychotherapy. Mason: Cengage Learning. Read More