Ethics in Counselling
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- Date Submitted: 05/08/2016 03:10 AM
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Ethics in Counselling: A Look at Confidentiality,
Boundary Issues, and Diversity
Ethics in Counselling: A look at Confidentiality,
Boundary Issues, and Diversity
Counsellors can refer to certain codes of ethics when deciding if a situation or dilemma is unethical when treating a client. While they may be used as a guide to make decisions, they are vague and don’t give a recipe of how to tackle every situation (Corey, 2015). Confidentiality, non-sexual boundary issues, and diversity in counselling are three issues that can cause ethical dilemmas in counselling. Below these three areas discuss how a counsellor could be unethical in these situations, and also ways the counsellor can make decisions or gain knowledge to help in all three situations. The Australian Counselling Association’s Code of Ethics (2015) describes confidentiality as a negotiable contract between the client and counsellor, extending to any hard copy or digital records. Confidentiality between a client and counsellor creates a safe space of trust, and if breached, devalues the effectiveness of counselling. There are several ways that confidentiality can be breached, both ethically and lawfully that are addressed below. Lawfully, exceptions to confidentiality include an emergency where keeping private information could be harmful; The patient is incapacitated and another person is required to make decisions for the client; A third party is at risk of harm from the client; request for hospitalisation for a mentally ill client; and a serious risk that many others may be harmed (Doherty & Purtilo, 2011). Ethically, confidentiality should be protected by the counsellors, who should never reveal information whether by pen, orally, or by any other media, unless given permission to do so by the client or a subpoena by a judge (Houser & Thoma, 2013). Counsellors have a duty to understand their state and local laws concerning...
Boundary Issues, and Diversity
Ethics in Counselling: A look at Confidentiality,
Boundary Issues, and Diversity
Counsellors can refer to certain codes of ethics when deciding if a situation or dilemma is unethical when treating a client. While they may be used as a guide to make decisions, they are vague and don’t give a recipe of how to tackle every situation (Corey, 2015). Confidentiality, non-sexual boundary issues, and diversity in counselling are three issues that can cause ethical dilemmas in counselling. Below these three areas discuss how a counsellor could be unethical in these situations, and also ways the counsellor can make decisions or gain knowledge to help in all three situations. The Australian Counselling Association’s Code of Ethics (2015) describes confidentiality as a negotiable contract between the client and counsellor, extending to any hard copy or digital records. Confidentiality between a client and counsellor creates a safe space of trust, and if breached, devalues the effectiveness of counselling. There are several ways that confidentiality can be breached, both ethically and lawfully that are addressed below. Lawfully, exceptions to confidentiality include an emergency where keeping private information could be harmful; The patient is incapacitated and another person is required to make decisions for the client; A third party is at risk of harm from the client; request for hospitalisation for a mentally ill client; and a serious risk that many others may be harmed (Doherty & Purtilo, 2011). Ethically, confidentiality should be protected by the counsellors, who should never reveal information whether by pen, orally, or by any other media, unless given permission to do so by the client or a subpoena by a judge (Houser & Thoma, 2013). Counsellors have a duty to understand their state and local laws concerning...