Ethical Dilemmas And Professional Challenges On A Daily Basis

People from all walks of life face many ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas have consequences. Our worldview determines how we deal with these dilemmas, and guides us to the right decisions. In this essay, I will examine an ethical issues through my Christian worldview. I will also present other viewpoints, and compare them to mine.

When encountering an ethical dilemma, it is important for the counselor to be aware of ethical considerations. Making good ethical decisions is dependent on being familiar with models of ethnical decision-making, knowledge of ethical situations, and one’s own code of ethics. If a counselor is not knowledgeable of his or her ethical standards, they are more likely to break a code without even knowing it. According to Neukrug and Milliken (2011) say that few professionals are actually accused of unethical conduct during their careers, but those who can be traumatized as well as their clients from the repercussion’s of the counselors mistake (p. 206). Thankfully, there are many organizations that have established a code of ethics for their employees to abide by while in that organization.

The AASECT ethical code that I can relate to the most is competence and integrity. Competence and integrity relates to a counselor’s responsibility for the consequences of their acts, by commission or omission, and making reasonable efforts for provision of all professional services in an adequate and appropriate manner (Long, Burnett, & Thomas, 2006). As human sexuality counselors, I believe that it is critical for us to maintain client’s confidentiality by ensuring the information obtained from clients is used for counseling purposes only and is kept private and confidential. This can only be done through competent practice and maintenance of professional integrity.

The code also extends to include “former clients, their romantic partners, or their family members”. The code simply states that the counselor cannot have professional contact with the client within 5 years before or after a relationship. The counselor must also “demonstrate forethought and document”, in writing, the possibilities of exploitation, or potential harm to the former client. If either of these elements is present, then the counselor avoids the interaction or relationship. The code is AACC: Code of Ethics (2004) is defined as “Marriage with Former Clients/Patients” and the stipulations are explained that this type of relationship is allowed with three provisions. (p 8) First, the counseling sessions had to have been terminated without the influence of a relationship or potential relationship, also within the proper guidelines of termination as defined in the AACC: code of ethics guidelines. Secondly, the client must understand unequivocally that any further counseling must be by someone other than the counselor-spouse. Thirdly, there must be no harm to the client or the client’s family as a result in the change of the relationship between the client and the counselor. Lastly, the counseling or helping relationship must be terminated at least two calendar years prior to marriage.

Section A addresses the counseling relationship. This section addresses how the client and counselor should have a healthy relationship, boundaries and respect (American Counseling Association, 2014).

The AACC forbids any kind of intimacy between a counselor and a former client. They state that the contact is unethical. However, they do allow for marriage between a counselor and former client. The client counselor relationship must have been terminated for at least two years before the counselor should consider marriage. Both groups advocate that the referral of the client initially to another agency should never be done because of a romantic interest and they also both advocate that the relationship should pose no harm to the client or its family.

1. Discuss an ethical dilemma that you have had to face in the workplace. Ethical dilemmas

Different organizations are driven by specific sets of code of ethics, which are used to protect many different aspect of the organizations, specifically the client, counselor, and organization. Concerning the standards of a counselor, their ethics are not only provided by the laws of the state or their practice, but also outside sources who present basic values and regulations of ethical standards in their code of ethics. This paper will look at two specific associations: the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association

Dear Leo, -I had a conversation with my case manager Ms., Mila from WSIB she told me that I needed to go to a specialty clinic to get a new diagnosis on my soft tissue injuries because you sent her such referral for me nonetheless I was never informed by you nor you discussed such referral with me in my first visit to the physiotherapy clinic where we met and you completed form 8 for WSIB conversely Dr. Daniels as a family physician with high ethical standards with his professional practice got very concerned that I might had internal bleeding when my co-worker took me after picking me from the stairs injured and upon my request he drove me to his walking clinic where my co-worker narrated to Dr. Daniels as a witness my accident Dr. Daniels

Next I looked at what ACA code of Ethics mandates that we do concerning these matters. In Section B.1.c counselor has to respect the rights of all clients to confidentiality and cannot share the information without client consent or without legal or ethical justification. Also in Section C.2.e and f states that the Counselors should take reasonable steps to consult with other counselors or related professionals when they have questions regarding their ethical obligations or professional practice and they must take continuing education so that they can maintain reasonable levels of awareness.

Dual relationships and the ethical behavior that revolves around boundaries with clients present a multitude of very complicated situations to counselors where a clearly defined course of action is not always evident. Aside from no accord amongst mental health professionals and boundary issues being unavoidable at times, recognition and prediction of potential benefits or pitfalls correlated with dual relationships can prove to be troublesome as well (Remley & Herlihy, 2010). For most cases, it is best if an outline is used to discern when it is appropriate for a counselor to breach the client-counselor boundary.

Furthermore, client welfare is an concern that this guideline is addressing. According to the American Counseling Association ethical codes it is the counselors’ primary responsibility to promote the welfare of clients. Counselors should also take reasonable steps to do the client no harm. Also, the therapeutic relationship most important in this guideline. It is of much significance that the counselor discuss appropriate issues with the client.

Dual relationships play a big part in the counseling environment. Unfortunately, they transpire without notice but once those lines are crossed, it is ultimately the counselor’s responsibility to ensure proper guidelines are being followed so the client is not being exploited. Guidelines are generally adhered to if the counselor maintains professional distance and recognize the boundaries that are set in place. If the client is exploited, the counselor is faced with the task of fixing the problem and not leaving the client to find his or her way out of this situation. In all likelihood, could result in the patient having a bad experience with counseling, the counselor’s reputation being ruined, or a complaint being filed of which the counselor has to appear before the state licensing board, or in court.

Personal values may conflict with ethical decision making if those personal values are different than the organizational norms of the business or institution. Constructing, and maintaining personal ethics in the workplace rests with the individual, and how willing he or she is in assimilating to the evolving cultural dynamic of the corporate world. Many times a person find their personal, cultural and/or organizational ethics conflicting and must reconcile a course of action that will mitigate cognitive dissonance. In order to be a productive member of society, in small groups and globally, one must reconcile these conflicts on a daily basis and continually move forward while maintaining personal integrity and

I am a full time student, while doing part time job at gas station as a cashier cum customer service representative. My job responsibilities are usually help customer and take the necessary payments from customers. Often it happened that some customer left their remaining small change (5 or 10 cents) by saying keep the change. Every day total of tips 1 or 2 dollar, monthly or yearly this can be sum-up a big total. I was in an ethical dilemma what should I do with that tips every day? Should I keep those tips for myself? Would not that be steeling, illegal? What if I decide to take those tips and someone or manager see me taking those tips in my pocket what they would think of me? Or should I drop those tips in the store cashier. To me it was completely an ethical dilemma. Morally or ethically which side should I choose so that at the end will also feel better for my decision?