Ethical Violations—When Things Go Wrong

Ethical Violations—When Things Go Wrong

Ethical Violations—When Things Go Wrong

Most complaints against clinical mental health counselors are in the areas of competence and conduct (e.g., client abandonment, sexual conduct, dishonesty); business practices (e.g., billing, reports, documentation); and professional practices (e.g., termination referrals, employment opportunities, nonprofessional relationships).

Specific information regarding ethical complaints to state licensure boards, despite its obvious importance, can be difficult to obtain. Complaints can be filed by clients, colleagues, attorneys, or some other interested party, such as an employer or parent of a client. The process of investigating these complaints is quite tedious and can lead to actions or sanctions against the counselor. This, in turn, can affect the counselor’s ability to practice. Clearly, no counselors are exempt from having complaints filed against them; therefore, the best protection is to maintain an ethical practice.

For this Discussion, use the Case Study Analysis Worksheet located in the Learning Resources for this week. Then select one case study from the ACA Ethical Standards Casebook and consider potential consequences of engaging in these violations and how you would safeguard against them in your own counseling practice.

Post by Day 3 a brief description of the case study you selected from the ACA Ethical Standards Casebook. Describe two ethical violations and two instances of professional misconduct presented in the case study. Explain one consequence that may result from each of these situations. Finally, explain what you would do to safeguard against each in your counseling practice.

Be sure to use the Learning Resources and the current literature to support your response.

Required Resources

Readings

• • Remley, T. P., Jr., & Herlihy, B. (2016). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
    • Chapter 13, “Professional Relationships, Private Practice, and Health Care Plans” (pp. 311-337)

• Hendricks, B., Bradley, L. J., Brogan, W. C., III, & Brogan, C. (2009). Shelly: A case study focusing on ethics and counselor wellness. The Family Journal, 17(4), 355–359.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Neukrug, E., Milliken, T., & Walden, S. (2001). Ethical complaints made against credentialed counselors: An updated survey of state licensing boards. Counselor Education & Supervision, 41(1), 57–70.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Wilcoxon, S. A., & Magnuson, S. (2002). Concurrent academic and pre-licensure supervision: When supervision is not just supervision. Clinical Supervisor, 21(2), 55–66.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Wilkerson, K. (2006). Impaired students: Applying the therapeutic process model to graduate training programs. Counselor Education & Supervision, 45(3), 207–217.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Document: Case Study Analysis Worksheet
• Document: Formatted Template for Final Project (Word Document)

• Herlihy, B., & Corey, G. (2015). ACA ethical standards casebook (7th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
  • “Case Study 2: A Minor (?) Client” (pp. 150-153)
  • “Case Study 20: An Imposition of Values” (pp. 268-271)

Optional Resources

• Magnuson, S., Black, L. L., & Norem, K. (2004). Supervising school counselors and interns: Resources for site supervisors. Journal of Professional Counseling, Practice, Theory, & Research, 32(2), 4–15.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Welfel, E. R. (2005). Accepting fallibility: A model for personal responsibility for nonegregious ethics infractions. Counseling & Values, 49(2), 120–131.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Wilcoxon, S. A., Norem, K., & Magnuson, S. (2005). Supervisees’ contributions to lousy supervision outcomes. Journal of Professional Counseling, Practice, Theory, & Research, 33(2), 31–49.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

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