Ethical Vignette Paper 2
Abstract
The code of ethics is the main guideline to appropriate practices in the field of professional
counseling. Even if counselors are not directly responsible for an ethics violation, they are
responsible for maintaining and assuring that those they work with are also adhering to the
specific guidelines. This paper examines specific behaviors from a receptionist to determine if
there are any ethical violations and how to remedy the receptionists’ behaviors. The main goal is
for the professionals to be respectful of their clients’ rights and maintain an appropriate
relationship with the clients they work with. Maintaining the basic principles in this field because
aside from the code of ethics by the American Counseling Association, states have their own set
of guidelines, and there are federal guidelines for those in the counseling profession. If any of the
guidelines are violated it is up to the licensed professional counselor to use the ethical decision-
making model to make a sound decision and keep their practice in good standing.
Ethical Vignette Paper 3
Ethical Vignette Paper
Professional counselors are responsible for making ethical decisions that can be
challenging but are necessary for their personal and professional growth. Ethical decision-
making involves the professional counselor not only evaluating their personal biases and beliefs
but also evaluating their responsibilities to the clients they serve. The American Counseling
Association (ACA) has several principles that are considered the foundation of ethical decision-
making. The foundational principles are autonomy, justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and
fidelity (Miller & Davis, 2016). The purpose of this paper is to examine a vignette by identifying
the problem, applying the code of ethics and state codes to the problem, determining the
dilemma, and generating a potential course of action.
Identify the Problem
The vignette chosen was “A Helpful Receptionist.” In the vignette a man was talking to
the receptionist about his wife being at the office for counseling and he needed the receptionist to
give his wife a message. The receptionist agreed. Later a lady is talking to the receptionist and
the receptionist gives the woman the message from the man. The woman then shared she didn’t
want her husband to know that she was going there for counseling and that it is something she
was afraid of since they were going through a divorce. She also talked about her being afraid of
him finding out because he could potentially say that she was an unfit mother for their children.
The problems that were presented in the vignette included the receptionist sharing with the man
that someone he said he knew was going there for counseling and she agreed to sharing a
personal message with the client. Another problem is that the receptionist delivered the message
without thinking of how it was impacting the other person when she delivered the message.
Ethical Vignette Paper 4
Since the vignette was about what the receptionist was doing it seemed to be a professional and
ethical problem.
Apply the ACA Code of Ethics
The ACA codes that were violated were confidentiality and privacy (section B) and
professional responsibility (section C). Even though the lady in the video was not a counselor but
the receptionist, she still has guidelines to follow, and confidentiality is a concern in the video.
The ACA code of ethics discusses the importance of confidentiality and privacy explaining that
with confidentiality professionals can demonstrate respect for the client, maintain appropriate
boundaries, and create partnership with the client (American Counseling Association, 2014). The
receptionist crossed boundaries by sharing another person’s information and agreeing to deliver a
message. The receptionist put herself in the middle of someone else’s concerns. Furthermore, the
reception area is a common place and certain information should not be discussed (B.1.b). The
receptionist may have wanted to move the conversation to an area that ensured more privacy to
respect the needs of the client. Respecting the needs of the client also relates to professional
responsibility. Professional responsibility (section C) focuses on professional competence and
again, even though the receptionist is not a counselor, she has a duty to handle matters in a
professional manner. Instead of taking the message first she could have consulted with a
colleague on how to handle the situation (C.2.e). Professionals are obligated to the needs of the
client. It is a professional responsibility for the receptionist to adhere to the specific guidelines of
her role and not to go outside of her scope of expertise (C.1).
Applicable State Codes/Laws and Federal Mental Health Laws
Ethical Vignette Paper 5
The Georgia state code of ethics is like the ACA code of ethics and focuses on the
obligation to meeting the clients needs. Georgia state code 135-7-03 is confidentiality. The laws
are written for professional counselors and the scenario demonstrates how the receptionist is
jeopardizing a counselor’s adherence to state guidelines. Under confidentiality, professionals are
obligated to hold confidential information unless mandated to disclose for legal purposes or the
client is in imminent danger to him/herself or others (a1, a2, a4). It also explains that consent
from the client is required before sharing the confidential information, which was not done in the
video. The state code also shares that information should be protected from employees and
associates (e). Another state code that can apply to the vignette s code 135-7-04 which is
responsibility to colleagues. This code explains that it is the responsibility of licensed
professionals to hold other employees accountable of ethical principles and responsibilities. This
suggests that the professional counselors of the organization represented in the vignette to assist
the receptionist with understanding her role in client confidentiality and role as a professional.
Even though there is a code of ethics provided by the ACA and states have their own
code of ethics, professionals are also subject to the federal laws. The federal role in mental health
examines federal legislation and regulations, federal protections, federal role in funding services,
and federal role in research. Federal protections apply to the vignette because this law focuses on
the protection of clients. The law recognizes the need to respect the client, honor clients’ rights,
and support their needs. The main concern from the vignette was the receptionist not protecting
the client’s right to confidentiality and privacy. The receptionist could have potentially harmed
the clients willingness to continue to seek support.
Determine the Nature and Dimensions of the Dilemma
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Under the foundational principles, it seemed that the concerns would be beneficence,
nonmaleficence, and fidelity. However, the principle nonmaleficence was most prominent
because the receptionist jeopardized the safety of the client. The receptionist did not have a valid
reason to interact with the man that came into the office, which put her in a position of not
preventing harm in a situation. The client was not protected. The woman who came to the desk
felt that the receptionist’s actions put her at-risk in the custody battle with her husband.
Moreover, the woman stated that she did not want her husband to know she was seeking
counseling.
Generate Potential Course of Action
Based on the vignette, my first instinct would be to terminate the receptionist. This was
my first thought based on the reaction of the client because the organization has a reputation and
if this receptionist did this to one client she may continue to do it. According to Remley and
Herlihy (2020), counselors are required to protect clients’ privacy and their rights. I would
require the receptionist to take additional training on the ethics codes that were violated. She
needs to be held accountable for her actions because of the potential risk associated with her
actions. According to the ACA code of ethics, professional counselors are responsible for their
subordinates, which includes the receptionist (ACA, 2014; Remley & Herlihy, 2020). I would
also have a meeting with the receptionist and the client for the receptionist to apologize in hopes
to restore the client’s trust for them to seek the support they need, even if she chooses to find
another organization. The penalties are serious for violating the code of ethics and the
organization is at stake. It is important that I use the ethical decision making model to make the
right decisions to fix the problem.
Ethical Vignette Paper 7
References
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. Retrieved November 17,
2022, from https://www.counseling.org
Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. E. (2016). Practitioner’s guide to ethical decision making (Rev.
ed.). Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/practitioner’s-
guide-to-ethical-decision-making.pdf
Mental Health America. (2022). The Federal and State Role in Mental Health. Retrieved
November 17, 2022, from https:///www.mhanational.org
Remley Jr., T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2020). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling. (6th
ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.
Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia. (2022). Code of Ethics. Retrieved October 1,
2022, from https://rules.sos.ga.gov
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