Ethical Decision-Making Paper
By: Janet Olvera
Liberty University
CEFS 501
Due Date: March 29, 2020
Abstract:
The ACA code of ethics was written in order to guide counselors through their careers in
providing quality services to clients seeking counseling. It is not possible to remember every
code and have a perfect career without any conflicts with clients or former clients. The
importance is to prevent or be able to resolve any conflicts or potential conflicts that may arise
during the counselor’s professional career. Interns should also follow the code of ethics because
it is their guideline to their professional futures. Supervisors are mentors for these interns in
helping them correct their mistakes and teach them what is ethical and what is unethical.
Introduction:
While in the counseling field, no individual really knows the problems they will face with
clients they are helping. The important thing is to know how to prevent the conflict or to resolve
it in the most ethical manner possible. In scenario 2, John is an intern who accepted Ben’s, a
client at the recovery facility, friend request on his personal social media. Jeanne, another client
at the facility, sent John a friend request as well, however, John denied it telling her it was
because he does not befriend females. This brings up conflicts that could have been avoided but
since it was already done, the best thing to do is resolve the issue. In decision making, it is
important to consider all the possible ways that the issues can be addressed and resolved, along
with the outcomes and consequences that it will have on the counselor or intern. Regarding
social media, there are different views that other authors and counselors have when it comes to
friending their clients or former clients. The ACA code of ethics does not prohibit a non-personal
relationship, but it does suggest avoiding it because it can cause potential harm to the counselor
and client relationship.
Identify the Problem:
John being an intern for 9 months at an alcohol and drug addiction recovery facility,
befriends on his personal Facebook account a client from the facility. This stirs up unethical
problems due to the fact that later another client, name Jeanne, from the facility sent John a
friend request as well but John denied it stating it was because he does not befriend women. In
reality John isn’t a fan of Jeanne because she is argumentative. As a counselor or even interning
at a counseling facility, facilities have guidelines and rules in regard to what is ethical and what
is unethical. The unethical decision that John made in accepting Ben’s friend request but not
Jeanne’s can be solved with the agency’s guidelines and rules that should be implemented.
Applied ACA Code of Ethics:
ACA Code of Ethics A.5.e Personal Virtual Relationship with Current Clients, “state that
counselors are not allowed to engage in relationships virtually such as, electronically and social
media with current clients” (ACA, 2014). This applies to the above scenario where John
accepted Ben’s Facebook friend request when Ben is a current client at the facility that John is an
intern. Although John is not a counselor at the facility, but only an intern, the same guidelines
apply to him especially for future purposes. In addition, ACA Code of Ethics A.6.e Non-
professional interactions and relationships also state that “counselors should not engage in any
non-professional relationships with former clients or their family members due to the fact that it
can harmful for the client” (ACA, 2014). This includes both in person and virtual interactions.
Determine the nature/ dimensions of the dilemma:
Nonmaleficence is a moral ethical principle that can be used in this scenario. John was
not trying to do any harm by not accepting Jeanne’s friend request but accepting Ben’s. John
dislikes Jeanne because she is argumentative: therefore, she can make a scene as to why John
denied her request. John did not believe that he was causing any harm by accepting Ben’s
requests since he enjoys talking to him. At the time he did not believe that it was unethical to do
so especially if he is just an intern. Other employees such as interns and non-counselors do not
believe that these ethical guidelines apply to them or they do not think they are causing any
harm. However, these guidelines are made so that conflicts like these that arise do not cause
problems that could’ve been avoided.
The use of email and social media are topics that should be addressed during the
informed consent session with clients. It would be ethical to do so because most individuals
would use an electronic means like email to try and contact the counselor. However, it may not
be the best way in contacting the counselor due to the fact that emails are not encrypted;
therefore, not making emails all that confidential. If the client is just trying to reschedule an
appointment there is no harm but using an email for emergency purposes or to discuss private
information is not appropriate (Brennan, 2013) A solution to this problem could be that some .
counselors are open to the idea of having a social media page where the clients can friend the
counselors according to some authors. However, there are others who are wanting to avoid a dual
relationship by allowing clients to friend the counselors on their personal social media page
(Brennan, 2013). In addition, there are authors that believe that since there social media page
contain personal information about themselves such as pictures of family and friends and other
private information, that accepting a client’s friend request is being willing to establish a more
personal relationship (Williams. Berrier, Redlinger & Edwards, 2017).
It could be difficult to decide what is the best decision in these scenarios. There will be
other conflicts that will arise than to have to worry about a client friending the counselor. In this
article the scenario was different but the steps the counseling students took seemed necessary for
when other conflicts arise. Seeking supervision and consultation with the intern’s supervisor is an
option. When interning there is a counselor who will be supervising the interns (Grunhaus,
Tuazon, Gonzalez & Wagner, 2017). Having faculty that are willing to become their mentors and
peer support can be a helpful resource in decision making when the individual is caught in
between a conflict.
This type of conflict can cause an issue with confidentiality. Confidentiality rises issue
with counselors (Bond,1992). It is said that whatever is said during the session should remain
confidential, with a few exceptions that can break it. Counseling is basically an intimate
relationship between the client and their counselor where they discuss past or current situations
and feelings (Bond,1992). Becoming “friends” on social media, can cause potential harm to the
client. The counselor-client relationship has been broken, therefore poses a risk for
confidentiality.
Potential Courses of Action:
It is important that interns are aware of the ACA code of ethics and that these codes apply
to them as well as if they were actual practicing counselors. In occasions, because they are not
formerly counselors, they may believe that these rules do not apply to them. Although the ACA
code of ethics, does not prohibit but suggests avoiding any non-professional relationships with
clients or former clients, it is important that mentors explain why this should not happen. With
that being said, if other counselors come across a situation like John’s, it would be a good idea to
set boundaries, for both counselors and interns with the clients. Counselors and interns should
express that they are there to help professionally but cannot form another relationship besides
that. Also, when a client has sent a friend request to your private and personal social media, it is
best to deny it and give them an appropriate explanation as to why. John’s explanation to Jeanne
as to why he did not friend her was inappropriate and discriminatory based on her gender. In
addition, consulting the manner with your supervisor or other colleagues would be another way
in resolving the issue. They may have gone through the same situation, or something similar and
can be a helpful resource. Other interns may have a similar issue but decided to no speak up and
can affect their counseling relationships with clients, which is something that we should be
avoiding.
Consider Consequences/ Determine Course of Action:
Setting boundaries with both counselors and interns with their clients is an important path
to take so there are no misunderstandings and/or conflicts that could have been avoided. It also
depends on how the counselors address these boundaries and how the clients receive them. If
they are delivered poorly, then the client might not feel comfortable or in a comfortable setting.
There are counselors that come off rude, even if that is not their intention but it will end up
affecting rapport between them and their clients. Honesty is always the best policy, if it’s
appropriate and ethical. If the counselor decides the accept a client’s friend request, then they
should be prepared to accept other clients. In order to avoid, who to accept and not to accept it is
best to not accept clients on personal social media and explain to them how it would not be
ethical due to their counseling relationship but they are still willing to provide the services that
are needed. Accepting certain clients can arise conflict with those clients who were denied their
request and feel that the counselor is not faithful and violate the moral principle of Fidelity. This
principle is important because the counselor should be careful to not ruin or threaten the
counselor and client relationship. Seeking advice and/or help from your supervisor may result in
some consequences such as a warning, a mark on your record or other consequences. From the
consequences of their actions, counselors learn from their mistakes so they will not make them
again and guide themselves through their career. For this reason, along with other ethical reasons
that counselors will come across, is why the ACA code of ethics was written to help guide
counselors.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, everyone makes mistakes but the main take away is learning from them, so
they do not happen again. It is not possible to know every code from the ACA Code of Ethics,
but it is important to study them and use them as a guideline throughout the individuals
counseling career. As counselors, our main goal is to help our clients, and establishing any non-
professional relationship with clients or former clients can jeopardize the rapport that was built
and potentially harm the client. Social media and other electronic means are not as private as
people make it out to believe, personal information, photos of family and friends are being
exposed and being willing to accept a friend request is accepting to establish a more personal
relationship outside of the counseling office with clients.
References:
ACA Code of Ethics. 2014. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-
ethics.pdf
Brenna, C (2013). Ensuring ethical practice: Guidelines for mental health counselors in private
practice. 35(3), 245-261Journal of Mental Health Counseling,
Bond, T. (1992). Confidentiality: Counseling, Ethics and the Law, Employee Counseling Today,
4(4), 4-9
Grunhaus, C. M. L., Tuazon, V. E., Gonzalez, E., & Wagner, N. J. (2018). A counselor education
case study: The counselor Values-Based conflict model in action. Counseling and Values, 63(2),
164-179
Williams, S.R., Berrier, K.L., Redlinger-Grosse, K., Edwards, J. G. (2017). Reciprocal
relationships: The genetic counselor-patient relationship following a life-limiting prenatal
diagnosis. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 26(2), 337-354
