Chapter 3 Flashcards
Laws
define the minimum acceptable standards of behaviour for members of society and enforced by government
Ethics
Represent the core values of a profession and ideal standards; moral principles adopted by an individual or group to provide rules for right conduct; enforced by professional associations; concerned with moral decision making
Morals
perspectives of right and proper conduct and involves an evaluation of actions on the basis of some broader cultural context or religious standard.judgment or evaluation of action
Why do professional codes of ethics exist?
.Provide guidelines for professional behaviors: client rights and counsellor responsibilities.Promotes public trust of the profession, professional accountability.Allows the profession to self-regulate.Promotes stability and consistency.Improves counsellor effectiveness
ethical code limitations
.general/idealistic, do not address every situation.enforcement difficult.knowledge of codes does not ensure ethical behavior.conflicts within & between codes (work in a school with own set of standards, have to navigate with your professional ones, or belong to two professional organizations with differing codes).evolving document, always changing.Reflect current dominant cultural and professional norms..Western culture tends to value the individual in all cases.Tend to be reactive, not proactive (someone’s charged, results in change in code of ethics)
6 Foundational Moral Principles of Professional Ethics
- Autonomy (respecting freedom of choice & self-determination)2. Nonmaleficence (not inflicting harm, prevention of future harm)3. Beneficence (doing good & preventing harm)4. Justice (fairness)5. Fidelity (faithfulness, maintaining integrity and honoring commitments)6. Veracity (honesty)7. Societal Interest (best for society)
CPA Code of Ethics, what are the 4 points?
in hierarchical order:1) respect for dignity of persons-each person treated as an individual with own worldview-greatest responsibility to those most vulnerable-ppl not a means to an end2) responsible caring-concern for well-being of client (beneficence/non-maleficence)3) integrity in relationship-open, honest, fair dealing with others-avoid conflict of interest, dual relationships-know yourself rather than strive for value-free4) responsibility for society-increase knowledge and benefit all humans-least weighting-each principle is subject to and guided by the principles above it!
Informed Consent
.consent to the practice of counselling.psychologists inform clients of potential risks/benefits of beginning a relationship and ongoing work.fees, confidentiality…
CAP (College of Alberta Psychologists’) Standards of Practice
.informed consent.competence-limit practice to areas of competence.impaired objectivity-unethical to work with client if your judgment is impaired whether physically, emotionally, mentally-if need to terminate, responsible for referral.relationship to supervisees-must not exploit or discriminate against.violations of law-dont be fucking fraudulent about registration okaiding illegal practice.required to take action against others who are fraudulent in practicedual relationships.bad idea dudemaintenance and retention of records.all records of fees, identifying info, presenting issues, etc., for ten years after terminationfees and statements.full info regarding fees at outset, receipts, missed appt. policyproviding supportable services.must work with sound theories with evidence.if using innovative service, must inform clientrepresentation of service.don’t misrepresent yourself, i.e. have a PhD in english and call yourself a Dr. as a psychologistprotecting confidentiality of clients.inform client with limits of confidentiality at outsetassessment procedures.any assessments or diagnostics must be valid, backed up by extensive personal contact and valid psychological tests
reasons for breaking confidentiality
.Imminent harm to self or others-at risk of suicide, must stay with person until appropriate help arrives.Child abuse/neglect.Subpoenaed by the courtsFirst two must be assessed, not clear. High risk? Low risk?
working with minors
Minors.signed consent from parents is required for counselling.Parents have ultimate right to access their child’s files.Educate them that the process of counselling though might not be helpful without confidentiality.One way of protecting client & counsellor is to let parents know if at moderate risk, will let parents know (freq. suicidal thoughts, suicidal gestures, continuing use of drugs, strong desire to hurt someone).if at a school, consent generally not required from parents..a counsellor can provide counselling without consent in the case of an emergencyCan enter therapy in following ways.Parental consent.Involuntarily at parents insistence.Order of juvenile court (parents still informed)Incompetence is assumed.Informed consent, competent is assumed.Informed consent must be obtained from parents, some exceptions can be made for mature minors but counsellor so assume greater risksAll though child cannot consent, they can assent, agree to counselling
CCPA principle-based ethical decision making
six step decision making model.key ethical issues.what are the relevant ethical principles in CCPA code of ethics.which of the six ethical principles are of major importance in this situation?.how can the relevant ethical principles be applied, and conflicts between them resolved.what do my feelings/intuition tell me to do?.what plan of action will be most helpful?(remember, principles are: beneficence, fidelity, non-maleficence, autonomy, justice, and societal interest)
CCPA virtue-based ethical decision making
five questions, goal is to do what you believe is the right thing:.what emotions and intuition am i aware of and what are they telling me to do?.how can my values best show caring for the client in this situation?.how will my decision affect other relevant individuals?.what decision would i feel best about publicizing?.what decision would best define who i am as a person?
CCPA quick check
publicity: would i want this ethical decision announced on the front page of a major newspaper?universality: would i make the same decision for everyone? if every counsellor made this decision, would it be a good thing?justice: is everyone being treated fairly by my decision?
Canadian Association of Social Workers’ (CAWS) 2005 - Ethics, how are they different?
-one must protect identity of deceased clients-physical contact with clients should be avoided if it would harm clients-must be culturally and personally appropriate
*Ethics in specific situations - School Counselling
In dilemmas occur between counsellor and school administration, counsellor is responsible towards the client first and the school second
*Ethics in specific situations - Marriage/Family Counselling
Marriage/Family counselling.Family members might have conflicting goals, confidentiality, violence
Ethics in specific situations - Aging/Elderly
-unique needs of aging-may have cog. impairments, terminal illnesses, or be victims of abuse!
Ethics in specific situations - Multicultural/international
.Online counselling, certification/insurance, confidentiality.If you are from Canada but counselling someone from Australia…? Does insurance still protect you?
Ethics in specific situations - Multiple relationships
.Entering into a counselling relationship with a close friend, student, or employee.Concluded that multiple relationships should be avoided.Counsellor a should not socialize or do business with present or former clients.Accepting gifts - controversial
When other counsellor behaves in unethical ways
You can’t ignore others unethical behaviorIdentify the problem objectivelyApply the CPA code of ethicsIf action is needed, approach the counsellorThis is in the code of ethics, to confront the person FIRST. Hard.If the counsellor does not want to take action you need to decide on course of action (report to governing body)Steps1.identify problem objectively, and your rl to it2. apply code of ethics to it3. action warranted, approach colleague informally first4. if need to, file ethical complaint
Slippery slope effect
-by condoning or ignoring a situation they risk eroding their own sense of moral selfhood and may find it easier to condone future ethical breaches
the law and counselling
-law always seeks compromise between individuals and parties, not cut and dried-no general body of law covering helping professions-law is generally supportive or neutral towards professional codes of ethics-allows profession to govern self, steps in to protect public health safety welfare
confidentiality, and reasons for breaking
-promise to clients that info revealed during therapy will be protected from unauthorized disclosurebreaking confidentiality.Imminent harm to self or others.Child abuse/neglect.Subpoenaed by the courts.First two must be assessed, not clear. High risk? Low risk?.Minors..Parents have ultimate right to access their child’s files..Educate them that the process of counselling though might not be helpful without confidentiality..Let know if at moderate risk, will let parents know
