Children’s Counseling
The world of children’s counseling is broad and has many ethical dos and donts. The
challenges that a counselor may encounter can be quite complex and tricky to navigate.
(Sanders, 2013) However, with the proper education and knowledge of the codes of ethics, it can
also be considered easy. Some of the ethical concerns include, informed consent, privacy and
confidentiality, mandated reporting, and more.
Ethical Concerns/Challenges
Informed Consent
Informed consent is a crucial aspect of ethical practice in counseling, allowing clients to
make informed decisions about their treatment, and giving them a sense of autonomy. Getting
consent from a child can be difficult because they may not understand the information that is
being provided to them. Whereas the parents may have more understanding of the information
presented. “Legislation regarding minors and informed consent is state-based as well. It is
important to understand the state laws.” (Shah et al., 2023) All this being said, the debate
between who is able to give the consent for counseling is ever occurring.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Confidentiality is one of the biggest struggles within children’s counseling. Many
counselors consider confidentiality the most experienced ethical dilemma. Confidentiality is
challenging because there are certain situations that must be reported since counselors are
mandated reporters. Despite this making confidentiality hard, confidentiality is a legal and
ethical requirement to protect the well-being of the child.
Mandated Reporting
Mandated reporting is the act of reporting a concern surrounding potential or known
neglect or abuse. Mandated reporting laws require certain professionals to report child abuse and
neglect concerns. Mandated reporting laws are a little different in each state, which is why
mandated reporters must have knowledge of the laws surrounding mandated reporting in their
state.
Skills
I would argue that the number one skill a counselor must have when working with
children is patience. Children often process and relay things slower than adults do. This being
said it is important that the counselor can be patient with the child and go at the child’s pace.
Abuse
If abuse is discovered the counselor, as a mandated reporter, must report the abuse to the
proper authorities. While the laws surrounding mandated reporting the situation are different,
what stays the same is the mandate surrounding reporting abuse and neglect as a whole. The
counselor should determine the appropriate place to report the abuse to, report it, and then also
follow up with the process as it unravels.
Lay Counselors
I would argue that lay counselors need to refer clients to higher up counselors when
something becomes more serious and/or the lay counselor is unable or ill-equipped to handle
what the client is bringing to the table. This is very important because if a client needs a higher
level of help, they should be able to receive it. It would be selfish for a lay counselor to attempt
to help someone who is in need of a licensed counselor.
Rewards
The most rewarding thing about working with children is probably knowing that they will
have a better equipped adulthood going forward. This is because the counselor can equip the
child with healthy coping skills that can be utilized in every stage of life.
Conclusion
Working with children can be hard due to the ethical concerns, conditionality rights, and
consent. It can also be very rewarding because the children may be better equipped to handle life
as they grow older. The patience that is required when working with children may seem
daunting, however it is a very needed skill to have. Overall, working with children can be highly
rewarding, but may also be a stressful population to work with.
References
Sanders, R. K. (2013). Christian counseling ethics : a handbook for psychologists, therapists and
pastors (2nd ed.). Intervarsity Press Academic.
Shah, P., Thornton, I., Turrin, D., & Hipskind, J. E. (2023, June 5). Informed Consent. National
Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430827/
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