978-0135183816 Chapter 1

Unlock access to all the studying documents.

View Full Document

Chapter 1

Introduction

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. Assuming that you are a moral and responsible person (as are most counselors), why

do you think it is important for you to study ethical and legal principles and the

decision-making process?

Points instructors may want to make:

2. What are the differences among legal standards, ethical standards, and best practice?

Points instructors may want to make:

3. What resources can you use when you need help in resolving an ethical dilemma?

Points instructors may want to make:

• Journal articles and textbook chapters that deal with the issue should also be read.

4. How should you get legal advice when a legal issue presents itself?

Points instructors may want to make:

IN-CLASS ACTIVITY

Title: In-Vivo Ethical Decision-Making Process

Learning

Goal: To apply ethical decision-making models to possible scenarios that may arise in

a practicum or internship site.

Procedures: Assign students to groups (preferably 3-4 students in each). Present various

ethical and legal scenarios from the text. Have the students discuss the scenarios

in the context of an agency or school staffing. Ask one student to act as the

agency or school counselor coordinator. Have the individual groups role play

the dilemma for 15 minutes and then ask a representative from each group, one

at a time, to discuss the process by which the particular decision or decisions

were made. Allow the groups to interact with audience members.

Point/Counterpoint (Debate) Topics

Title: Approaches to Ethical Decision Making

Learning

Goal: To consider the strengths and limitations of the primary approaches to ethical

decision making.

Procedures: Assign (or allow students to volunteer) 2 groups of students (preferably 3-5

students per group) to each take one of the positions described below and

prepare a 5-minute argument in favor of that position. Have each group present

its argument. Next, allow the groups to confer for 2 minutes and then have each

group present its rebuttal to the other group’s argument. Lastly, have the class

members who served as the audience vote for which side was most persuasive.

Point: The best approach for counselors to use in making ethical decisions is

principle ethics.

vs.

Counterpoint: The best approach for counselors to use in making ethical decisions is

virtue ethics.

Title: Multiple Codes of Ethics or a Unified Code?

Learning

Goal: To consider the pros and cons of having a single, unified code of ethics for

counselors versus having multiple, specialty codes.

Point: The counseling profession should have one unified code of ethics for

counselors in all settings.

vs.

Counterpoint: There should be different codes of ethics for each main specialty

area within counseling (e.g., schools, community agencies, private practice,

colleges).

OUTSIDE CLASS ACTIVITY

Title: Ethical and Legal Standards in the Workplace

Learning

Goal: To apply ideas from the course to the workplace.

Procedures: Ask students to summarize policies at their practicum or internship sites, or their

work sites—if they are working at counseling-related sites—concerning the

handling of legal and ethical issues in the workplace. Students may also request

an interview with the agency attorney or administrators, if possible.

Self-Reflection/Journaling

Journal Entry: Reflect on and discuss your motivations for choosing counseling as your

profession, as opposed to another mental health profession such as psychology or social work?

Using the Internet as a Learning Tool

Assignment: Search the Internet and find an ethical decision-making model that is not discussed

in the text. In what ways is this model similar to and different from the ethical decision-making

process described in the text? Briefly explain which particular model you believe would be most

useful to you, personally, given your current site or anticipated future setting.

CASE STUDY

At your agency you notice that information concerning clients is not being filed properly

and, at times, is being left in open view in rooms where counseling sessions occur. You speak to

your supervisor who thanks you and reports that the problem will be handled. After two weeks,

you notice the same instances occurring. What do you do?

Case Study Discussion

1. Why is this issue a problem, or is it a problem?

2. You probably would want to bring the issue up to the supervisor at least one more time. If

the problem continues, speaking to the supervisor’s supervisor may be warranted. What

issues are involved in going over the supervisor’s head?

3. If this issue is not addressed, what possible legal ramifications or ethical complaints could

the agency face?

SHORT PAPER OR ORAL CLASS PRESENTATION TOPICS

1. Take an ethical decision-making model and apply it to a specific scenario (If possible, use

an example from a practicum or internship site.).

2. Look at the scenario from both a legal and an ethical perspective. Does considering the

situation from both points of view make it easier or harder to come to a decision?

3. Have students present on current literature related to contemporary legal and ethical issues

in which counselors may become involved. Examples might include: internet counseling,

dealing with managed care companies, navigating dual relationships in small communities,

determining whether or not to counsel client with a presenting issue outside of your scope

of training or experience, responding to subpoenas as an independent private practitioner.