Question

You are working at a community mental health center in New York City. Your newest client is a 40 year old Mexican woman, married, living with her extended family in New York.   She is unemployed and has two children, ages 8 and 10. She is experiencing severe depression and was referred by her family physician. Discuss the ethical guidelines you will want to consider in your work with this client.

In the case analysis, please include the following information:

Description of at least 3 ethical and/or legal issues in the vignette

Identification of relevant ethical codes

Explanation of 3 courses of action to resolve the issue

Description of the decision-making process for each course of action

Assessment of option that best upholds the ethical standards of the profession

Answer 1

Ethical things to be considered

1. No Personal Attachment – According to this part of the ethics, counsellors should not engage in personal relationship during and after five years from the end of the session.

2. Confidentiality, Privileged Communication, and Privacy – The importance of proper communication in a professional manner and share information in confidential manner while using the technology. One should also maintain confidentiality if the client is diseased.

3. Professional Responsibility – One should use techniques, modalities, or procedures that will have a scientific or empirical foundation theory, otherwise, techniques must be labelled as “unproven” or “developing.”

Steps I involved in Ethical Decision Making

Identify the problem – I’ll inform the client about the processes that is involved, the means of communication and other things involved.

Apply the ACA Code of Ethics – I’ll brief about the ethical and legal practices and get the consent form signed.

Determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma – I’ll go through her case history and identify. In this women’s case, she is unemployed, two children’s studying and she is not living in her home country.

Generate potential courses of action - There will be three course of actions I’ll suggest her. Firstly, I’ll suggest some psychotherapy which will get her out of her stress. Secondly, I’ll suggest her to find a job and finally I’ll guide her through other help that is available such as job seekers allowance, job portals etc.

Consider the potential consequences of all options – The consequence of the therapy will definitely bring her out of stress and provide her a clear understanding about the reality. When she gets a job, she will be engaged in the work more and she won’t have much to think and worry.

Implement the course of action.

1. I’ll treat others not in the same way because individuals are different and they need to be understood before they could be counselled.

2. I will, because any small thing will help someone who is in a similar state and only if the patient agrees to it. If not everything help, at least certain aspects of the counselling session will definitely help.

3. No, because it’s very confidential and it should not be disclosed

4. No, because I’ll do my best with what I have and know.