HW 4

PROFESSIONAL ISSUES AND MENTAL HEALTH 2

Summary

During our class, we formed a group discussing the Tyre Nichols case. Each of us expressed how we felt about the issue, each trying to understand the other's perspective, and in the discussion, a dilemma was formed as each one had their point of view of the situation. Then we discussed chapters 3, 6 and 17, where I learned much about utilitarianism, competence and conflict and American Indian Ethics. We looked at our next assignment.

Ethical clinical services illustrate respect for every client's autonomy, dignity, and freedom. Informed consent reflects that respect since ethical codes highlight consent as a critical value (Pope & Vasquez, 2016). Making sound ethical decisions requires full attention to every relevant fact in full and proper context hence the need to follow suggested steps. Counselors should treat all clients with dignity and respect, regardless of their origin, state of mind, or characteristic which distinguishes them from others. Treating people with respect for their dignity is the basis of the profession.

Ethical behavior guides counselor-client relationships. CMHCs maintain healthy relationships with their clients and avoid any action which seeks to meet their personal needs at the client’s expense (AMHCA, 2020). Individuals with disabilities need to have accessible counseling environments too. Informed consent is essential as clients should know what to expect, including having the freedom to choose their counselors. CMHC should always act in the client's best interests when a client cannot provide informed consent. Generally, for the counseling process, CMHCs ensure that client’s rights are respected, clients should not get abandoned, and terminally ill clients should receive high-quality end-of-life care.

According to the ACA code of ethics, informed consent is necessary for counseling as counselors must review verbally and in writing with their clients the responsibilities and rights of both counselors and clients (ACA, 2014). Counselors must provide all information necessary to allow clients to make informed decisions. Cultural competence is vital during practice as counselors should use appropriate language or a qualified translator or interpreter when necessary. Counselors respect every ethical code associated with working with minors and mandated clients. Counselors avoid imposing their values on their clients.

Connection

The ACA and AMHCA sections share similarities in the sense that they center on ethical behavior by counselors and how they should relate with their clients. The sections remind me of my internship at a mental health clinic where I worked with specific clients. I had to give them all the details relevant to the care and inform them of my level of study. This led me to some of the clients assigned to me requesting a different counselor, according to them, "a more experienced" person. However, I also gained some clients who were even more comfortable with being with me because they felt they could trust me more and that I was open about my education.

Chapter 16 on Informed Consent and Informed Refusal reminded me of that internship period because I informed my clients of my study level and allowed them to choose whether to work with me or choose a different professional. I learned a lot from this experience. Chapter 4, Dignity and Respect, states it is necessary to respect the dignity and worth of everyone. With the clients whom I worked with, I ensured that I upheld my clients' rights to self-determination, privacy, and confidentiality.

Reflection.

The mechanic scenario is relatable in Chapter 2 of Ethics Real Life. The scenario indicates that there was no informed consent. While Dr. Jackson met Ms. Huang for three months, the doctor needed to acknowledge that they had no experience working with clients of Chinese descent. The client, Ms. Huang, needed to be fully informed of her treatment, as evidenced by the lack of written informed consent. Question 14 is on practitioners working with culturally diverse groups but needing more cross-cultural knowledge and skills and reflects the doctor’s failure to acknowledge having no experience working with culturally diverse groups. As an intern, my supervisor was very respectful and supportive. Reflecting on question 13, if my supervisor had encouraged trainees to engage in unethical behavior, I would have reported him to the agency’s director. According to chapter 8, Steps in Ethical Decision-Making, the doctor should have informed Ms. Huang of their lack of experience with clients of Chinese descent as this would have enabled the client to make an informed decision on whether to gain counseling services from the counselor or not.

References

ACA (2014) ACA Code of Ethics - American Counseling Association. Available at: https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

 AMHCA (2020) AMHCA code of Ethics, AMHCA Code of Ethics - American Mental Health Counselors Association. Available at: https://www.amhca.org/publications/ethics

Pope, K. S., & Vasquez, M. J. (2016).  Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide. John Wiley & Sons. (Chpts 4 Dignity & Respect, 16 Informed Consent & Informed Refusal, and 8 Steps in Ethical Decision Making).