Chapter 7
Competence and Malpractice
Focus Questions
1. What do you think should be done if a counselor becomes addicted to alcohol and is
not counseling effectively?
Points instructors may want to make:
• If she impaired counselors are employed, they should be suspended until they have
2. How does a counselor determine whether a client is suicidal?
Points instructors may want to make:
• The counselor should ask such clients directly if they are considering ending their
life.
3. If a client makes a serious threat to harm another person, the law in all states except
Texas requires the counselor to either warn the intended victim or inform the police
of the threat. Do you think this legal requirement is good or bad? Why?
Points instructors may want to make:
• On the positive side, it is a good requirement because it helps protect the public from
4. What are some measures you might take to minimize the risk that you could be sued
for malpractice as a counselor?
Points instructors may want to make:
In-Class Activity
Title: Personal Definitions of Competence
Learning
Goal: To learn about students’ and others’ understanding of competence and to explore personal feelings of
incompetence related to the counseling profession.
Procedures: Give a brief introduction to the concept of competence and then assign class
Discussion
Questions: What do you think it means to be competent?
With which clients or in what situations would you feel incompetent to counsel right now and why?
Point/Counterpoint (Debate) Topics
Title: Competence in Specialty Areas of Counseling
Learning
Goal: To consider the arguments for and against licensing counseling specialties.
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: Duty to Warn Intended or Foreseeable Victims of Clients who may Pose a
Danger to Others
Learning
Goal: To consider the legal benefits and risks involved in the duty to warn.
Counterpoint: Counselors should be legally “held harmless” for their good-faith
decisions regarding whether or not to warn an intended or foreseeable victim of a
potentially dangerous client.
Outside Class Activity
Title: Reflections on Incompetence
Learning
Goal: To reflect on personal and professional areas of competence and how to further develop as a counselor.
Procedures: Write a 3-6-page paper reflecting on your personal and professional feelings of
incompetence as they relate to counseling. Discuss ways in which you intend to
continue to develop competence as a professional counselor.
Topic for Self-Reflection/Journaling
Topic: Reflect on the ways you currently practice self-care now, while you are in graduate
school. In what
Case Study
You are a counselor at a community based mental health clinic. You mainly see children,
Case Study Discussion
1. What should you do?
2. What options do you have?
3. Possible solutions vary. You could explain to the client that you do not feel you can
with the client.
Short Paper or Oral Presentation Topics
1. State Licensure Requirements — How do I become Licensed?
2. What steps will I take in the future to maintain my competence?
3. What do you do when a client alleges that you have harmed him or her?