Ethical and Legal Issues Ethics vs. Criminal Law Ethical Standards - (in theory) - focuses on behavior and on motivation that aim at the highest ideals of human behavior (what should be or optimal behavior) – (What's Right) Criminal Law - (in contrast) - focuses primarily on behaviors that may harm other members of the society, and focuses on behavior that establishes one’s standings within a subgroup.
Question - How do we determine right from wrong? 2
Ethical and Legal Issues -
Professional Codes of Ethics - (ACA) -In the beginning you should memorize these -They are sometimes contradictory -Ethical issues should be considered before they occur
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Ethical and Legal Issues Our Divided Loyalties – Who exactly does a counselor work for? -Child / Parent -School / Agency / Institution -Supervisors
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Ethical and Legal Issues Confidentiality and Privileged Communication Duty to Warn 1. Take a detailed history, assessing potential dangerousness of a client. 2. Document very carefully any progress made in counseling. 3. Consult with supervisor for additional input; 4. If necessary and indicated, obtain client’s cooperation to warn the potential victim(s). 5. Contact authorities if in your professional judgment the client poses a threat to self or others. 5
Ethical and Legal Issues Reporting Child Abuse - (The law is very clear) If you suspect that emotional or physical harm is being inflicted on a child, you MUST report it to the authorities within twenty-four hours.
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Ethical and Legal Issues -
Relationships with Former Clients NO - romance or friendship during or after
Confronting Counselor Impairment -
Making Ethical Decisions 7
Ethical and Legal Issues Legal Issues in Counseling 1. The right to informed consent 2. The right to privacy 3. The right to protection against harm 4. The right to refuse treatment 5. The right to competent treatment 8
Ethical and Legal Issues Criteria for Determining Competence: APA - “Psychologists recognize the boundaries of their competence and the limitations of their techniques and only provide services, use techniques, or offer opinion as professionals that meet recognized standards.”
ACA - “With regard to the delivery of professional services, members should accept only those positions for which they are professionally qualified.” 9
Ethical and Legal Issues Continuing Education - Journals - Internet - Professional Organizations - Workshops
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Chapter 10
Marital, Family and Sex Counseling 11
Marriage Family Counseling – The definition of Family is constantly changing Nuclear Family - is the traditional family in our culture, it consists of parents and children who live together. Extended Family - a network of nuclear families bound together by several connected parent - child relationships. Single Parent Family Reconstituted Family - remarriage, step children, step parents 12
Marriage Family Counseling – Families serve 3 basic purposes 1. To protect children and provide for their safety and needs. 2. Socialization - to teach children how to function appropriately in society. 3. To teach family values - to develop new families.
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Marriage Family Counseling –
Nathan Ackerman - (60’s) Given credit for starting Family Counseling.
- Family counseling shares greater similarity with group therapy.
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Marriage Family Counseling – Family Counseling Applications: 1. Marriage Counseling 2. Separation & Divorce Counseling 3. Post Divorce Counseling 4. Children of Divorces 5. Family Violence Counseling 6. Child Abuse 7. Parent Abuse
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Marriage Family Counseling –
Requires a special license
Compared to other counselors family counselors are more: - Directive - Structuring - Active Sex Counseling Must confront your own attitudes, values, and beliefs related to sex. 16
Tonight: All LiveText Assignment are DUE If you have not completed all LiveText Assignments stay after class
