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:
• The counseling profession has a written code of ethics. The code’s guidelines for
2. What are the differences among legal standards, ethical standards, and best practice?
Points instructors may want to make:
• Legal standards are the minimum behavior society will tolerate from a professional.
3. What resources can you use when you need help in resolving an ethical dilemma?
Points instructors may want to make:
• The best approach counselors can use to resolve ethical dilemmas is to consult with
4. How should you get legal advice when a legal issue presents itself?
Points instructors may want to make:
• Generally, counselors should ask their immediate supervisor to obtain legal advice for
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
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 in each) 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.
Title: Multiple Codes of Ethics or a Unified Code
Learning
Goal: To consider the pro’s and con’s of having a single, unified code of ethics for
counselors versus having multiple, specialty codes.
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
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
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
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.)
3. Have students present on current literature related to contemporary legal and ethical issues