Ethical Boundaries in Counseling Practice

It is crucial for counselors to comprehend the importance of ethics in maintaining a professional relationship with their clients. Understanding dual relationships and boundaries is essential as it serves to protect both the client and the counselor.

Counselor Decision-Making and Examples of Counseling

When counselors and clients have multiple roles, it creates dual relationships or multiple relationships in the counseling profession. According to Callanan et al (2014), blending a non-professional relationship with a professional one raises ethical concerns that need consideration. Boundaries are established between counselors and clients to protect both parties as counselors hold power in their clients' lives.

If I am treating a client and considering whether a boundary crossing or dual relationship is ethical and appropriate, my first step would be consulting the ACA code of ethics. This code provides guidance on what qualifies as an unethical dual relationship. As stated in ACA Code A.5.a (2014), any sexual or romantic interactions or relationships between counselors and current clients, their romantic partners, or their family members are strictly prohibited.

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The code of ethics prohibits counselors from engaging in counseling services with individuals they have previously had a sexual or romantic relationship with. If there is a situation not addressed by the ethical guidelines, I will seek guidance from my supervisor or trusted colleague. When making decisions, I will ensure they do not cause harm to either my client or myself. Additionally, I will consider if any changes in the relationship could benefit my client's therapy. In cases of mutual sexual attraction between me and the client, I will refer to the ACA code of ethics which deems a sexual relationship with a client as unethical.

Geyer (1994) asserts that both secular and Christian communities agree on the unethical nature of romantic or sexual relationships during and after counseling (Dual Role Relationships and Christian Counseling).

Engaging in self-disclosure during a counseling session is acceptable if it does not negatively affect the client and I fail to listen. Self-disclosure helps me demonstrate active listening and empathy towards the client's emotions. In certain cases, such as working in a small town with limited counseling options, I may have a dual relationship with a client. For instance, if a friend seeks my assistance when no other counselors are available, this dual relationship might be permissible. However, it is crucial to establish clear boundaries between our friendship and the therapeutic activities before proceeding.

The importance of maintaining professional boundaries when supporting a friend is highlighted in the text. It brings up an ethical dilemma regarding whether it would be appropriate for a therapist to go with a client to the scene of a deadly car accident, in order to help them come to terms with their responsibility.

Ethical Concerns and Aspects

The ACA Code of Ethics permits counselors to engage in a sexual or romantic relationship with a former client after 5 years following the termination of therapy. While I acknowledge that waiting for 5 years may suffice in some instances, there could be advantages to extending the waiting period in specific circumstances. It is crucial to ensure that enough time has elapsed for the power dynamics between myself and the client during therapy to equalize, particularly considering the type of counseling provided. For instance, if a client were to extend an invitation for me to attend their birthday party while still receiving therapy, this would be considered unethical as it entails interactions outside of counseling sessions.

If counseling services have been terminated and at least five years have passed since the end of the client-counselor relationship, attending a party with the former client would not raise any ethical concerns. The manner in which the counseling relationship ended is also important when thinking about interactions after therapy. Lebaw (2014) explains that counseling services can be terminated in various ways, either through deliberate planning or without prior arrangement, depending on case outcomes. If the termination had a negative impact on the client, it may be more ethical to avoid engaging with them after therapy.

Professional Collaboration Counseling

Effective communication among team members is crucial in providing care for clients as collaboration between counselors and stakeholders is vital. It is important to offer different types of support in various situations to ensure the safety and well-being of clients.

A group made up of individuals from different fields

Collaboration is vital in certain situations to ensure optimal care for a client. If I lack training in handling addictions but have a client dealing with severe depression and alcoholism, it would be beneficial for me to work alongside their addiction counselor. While I address the client's depression, the addiction counselor focuses on their alcohol addiction. Effective communication between us is essential to provide the best possible care for the client's co-occurring disorders. Additionally, involving another person in the client's care helps establish firm boundaries that uphold their safety and mine. Regular meetings between the addiction counselor and myself are necessary to formulate a detailed care plan that yields the best possible outcome for the client. According to Staton and Gilligan (2003), collaboration aims to "develop mutual agreement on ways to work together to provide the most effective services."

According to Fiddler et al (2010), it is important to engage in collaborative decision-making with the patient for meaningful involvement in treatment and future management. Instead of just informing the client, involving them in the care plan process allows them to have a say in their own treatment. If the client prefers that I work independently from their addictions counselor, keeping the two areas separate, my focus would solely be on addressing their depression. I would not provide guidance regarding their drinking habits or why they struggle to quit. As a solo counselor, it is crucial for me to maintain ethical practices when working with the client. By acknowledging my limitations and informing the client that I am not trained or experienced in addiction treatment, I fulfill both my ethical responsibility and ensure the well-being of the client.

The supervisor is crucial in the counselor-student relationship as they train and support the student, playing a vital role. They are essential for the student's experience, evaluating their performance and serving as a reliable confidant to discuss challenges. However, caution must be exercised by supervisors to avoid misusing their position and manipulating the emotions of students.

When a client fails to monitor themselves, a counselor may take similar actions. It is crucial for a counselor to build trust with the client and ensure that all actions are focused on their well-being rather than causing harm. To ascertain the ethicality of another counselor's behavior, one can consult the ACA code of ethics and state laws governing the profession. If I were to observe unethical conduct by a fellow counselor, it would be my duty to report them to the licensing board. Only the board possesses the power to evaluate and impose penalties on counselors who have participated in unethical practices.

The evolution and advancement of ethics

According to Ponton (2009), counselors need to work towards finding a balance between an individual's needs, strengths, and identity within the larger group or society. This course has taught me about the importance of ethical considerations in the different relationships that counselors have. These relationships include not only the connection between counselor and client, but also interactions among counselors and with their supervisors. It is crucial for each of these connections to be strong and well-defined because they rely on each other.

The significance of ethics in the counselor's role is extremely important as it ensures the protection of both the client and the counselor. While determining what is ethical or unethical may not always be straightforward, I have learned throughout this course that there is a support system available to me. It is completely acceptable for me to seek guidance or help from fellow counselors within my community when unsure about the right course of action. In our profession, we not only assist our clients but also provide support to each other.

Conclusion

Understanding the ethical guidelines established by the ACA and their state is crucial for new counselors. These codes of ethics protect both clients and counselors and stress the importance of ethics and boundaries. Counselors must continuously educate themselves about these guidelines when working with clients, as boundaries may change over time. However, it is essential that these boundaries are never crossed in a way that could harm the client's well-being. As a counselor, I must be mindful of my qualifications and collaborate with others to ensure optimal care for my clients. Ethical guidelines not only apply to client interactions but also extend to interactions with other professionals in the counseling field. Without adhering to these principles, counselors can cause significant harm to their clients. This course has emphasized the vital role of ethics in counseling and underscores the importance of upholding them.

References American Counseling Association (2014). 2014 ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author Callanan, P., Corey, C., Corey, G., & Corey, M. (2014). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. Stamford:CT Fiddler, M., Borglin, G., Galloway, A., Jackson, C., McGowan, L., & Lovell, K. (2010). Once-a-week psychiatric ward round or daily inpatient team meeting? A multidisciplinary mental health team's experience of new ways of working. International Journal Of Mental Health Nursing, 19(2), 119-127. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0349.2009.00652.x Geyer,M.C.(1994).Dual Role Relationships and Christian Counseling.Journal Of Psychology&Theology ,22(3),187-195. Lebow,J.(2014).Stages of therapy: Engagement , assessment,and termination . In , Couple and family therapy : An integrative map of the territory(pp .151-170 ). Washington , DC ,US : American Psychological Association.doi:10 .1037/14255 -007 Ponton,R.F.& Duba,J.D.(2009)The "ACA Code of Ethics": Articulating Counseling's Professional Covenant.Journal Of Counseling&Development ,87(1),117 -121. Staton,A.R.& Gilligan,T.D.(2003)Teaching School Counselors and School Psychologists to Work Collaboratively.Counselor Education&Supervision ,42(3),162.