Applying an Ethical Decision-Making Model

Case of Marvin: Marvin, an immigrant from Belize, has been seeing Robin, his African American counselor, for several months. One day he comes to the therapy session inebriated and very angry. He has just found out that a close friend is having an affair with his wife. He is deeply wounded over this incident. He is also highly agitated and even talks about killing the friend who betrayed him. As he puts it, “I am so damn mad I feel like getting my gun and shooting him.” Marvin experiences intense emotions in this session. Robin does everything she can to defuse his rage and to stabilize him before the session ends. Before he leaves, she contracts with him that he will not go over to this man’s house and act on his urges. In addition, she asks him to call her a couple times each day to check in with her. Because of the strength of the therapeutic relationship, Robin assessed Marvin as not being a violent person and decided not to follow through with the duty to warn.