Running head: ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PAPER
Carmen Haas
Ethical Decision Making Paper
EDCE 501 LUO
May 4, 2017
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PAPER
2
Introduction
Many times counselors are responsible for building the morale of individuals within a group.
They have been trained and equipped with skills and practices that are very beneficial to the
willing participants. Because counselors are human beings with a potential for poor decision
making skills and error, the American Counseling Association (ACA), has created a “Code of
Ethics” to guide correct procedures with the intent of creating a positive environment for all
involved parties to better the quality of their lives. When counselors do not abide by the code of
ethics there are many events that could occur that could prove to be harmful for participants in
the group in the event of an ethical dilemma.
Identify the problem
Lakia is a school counselor in a public school setting at a high school level. Her intentions are
to start a group for the purpose of building relationship skills. The school secretary is given
instruction to enroll the first nine students who enquire and not ask them about the nature of their
interest. The only information she is to give them is the date and time of the first meeting.
It is time for the first meeting and nine students are enrolled consisting of 7 females and 2
males. During introductions, one of the males by the name of Robert, confesses that he has anger
issues mainly towards women and has served one year at a detention center for domestic
violence. After the break, only 2 females return to the group and Robert has a break down and
states that he is going to go home and kill himself.
While the intentions of the counselor were to create a positive environment that would assist
these young men and women in building their relationship skills, several ethical codes were
violated that posed harm to members of the group.
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PAPER
3
Apply the ACA Code of Ethics
When counselors are faced with ethical dilemmas that are difficult to resolve, the ACA has
provided a process that will provide them with the process necessary to resolve these ethical
issues. A counselor’s actions should be consistent with all ethical standards using the decision
making model as the most effective resource.
There a specific criteria outlined in the ACA Code of Ethics in which this counselor should
have referred to before beginning group work. In the event of a group setting, the ACA Code of
Ethics states,
A.9. Group Work
A.9.a. Screening Counselors screen prospective group counseling/therapy participants. To the
extent possible, counselors select members whose needs and goals are compatible with the goals
of the group, who will not impede the group process, and whose well-being will not be
jeopardized by the group experience.
A.9.b. Protecting Clients In a group setting, counselors take reasonable precautions to protect
clients from physical, emotional, or psychological trauma.
The counselor should have followed these guidelines listed in a screening process that could
have most likely avoided this type of potential for danger.
Determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma
Several avenues can be followed to ensure that dimensions of the problem have been
examined. The decision making model outlines foundational principles to assist and lead
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PAPER
4
counselors in the correct direction whenever they are planning therapy and/or intervention in a
group setting or in an individual.
“Beneficence reflects the counselor’s responsibility to contribute to the welfare of the client.
Simply stated, it means to do good, to be proactive, and also to prevent harm when possible
Beneficence can come in many forms, such as prevention and early intervention actions that
contribute to the betterment of clients”, (Miller & Davis, 2016).
“No maleficence is the concept of not causing harm to others. Often explained as “above all, do
no harm,” this principle is considered by some to be the most critical of all the principles, even
though theoretically they are all of equal weight. This principle reflects both the idea of not
inflicting intentional harm, and not engaging in actions that risk harming others. Weighing
potential harm against potential benefits is important in a counselor’s efforts toward ensuring “no
harm”, (Miller & Davis, 2016).
Generate potential courses of action
A counselor who is new to the group therapy environment may need to consult a counselor
who is more familiar with the ACA’s Code of Ethics to generate the proper course of action.
Several things need to be considered so that all parties involved are protected and/or held
accountable. It is vital that each avenue be explored when coming up a course of action. The first
of which is protecting Robert from harming himself or others, especially since he has a past
history of this behavior. Another consideration is the participants who felt threatened and did not
want to return. Other parties to consider are the member’s guardians and school administration.
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PAPER
5
Consider the potential consequences of all options and determine a course of action
The decided course of action needs to be handled immediately due to the potential of harm to
Robert. Robert’s parents should be contacted and given contact information to the proper
channels of mental health so that they may offer assistances in keeping him from harm. The
counselor should also offer any other services to the parents that may beneficial to the family as a
unit.
Another course of action would be to reach out to the other members of the group, especially
the ones who felt threatened and would not return. The counselor needs to take full responsibility
for the lack of preparation for this group and if it decided and approved with school
administration for continuance, the counselor needs to conduct a proper screening process as
well as seek parental consent for participation since the group consists of minors. A full record of
events should be disclosed to all appropriate parties to avoid backlash from the community as
well.
Evaluate the selected course of action
Evaluating the course of action is important in determining other possible violations of ethical
decision making. Stadler (1986) gives is three simple steps to apply to the course of action to
ensure its appropriateness.
•
The test of Justice: Your own sense of fairness should be evaluated to determine if you
would treat others in the same way. Would you treat any person in the same regard as
your decisions with Robert, parents, authorities, and other members of this group?
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PAPER
6
•
Test of Publicity: Any course of action or damage control has the potential to be viewed
in the public eye. All parties involved will most likely talk to others and this poses a
great potential for other to feel the need to get involved. Asking yourself if you are
confident in your decisions and will stand by them in the public eye will help a counselor
in taking the right course.
•
The test of Universality: There may be other circumstances that occur with another
counselor who might reach out to you for advice based on your experience or the fact
they respect your work and decision making skills by how you handled your previous
situation. This test will help you make the right decision and be confident in passing it
along to a colleague who may find their self in similar territory.
Implement the course of action:
This dilemma may happen to several different counselors with each one handling it in
a different way. There is rarely a universal method in correctly identifying the most
accurate way. The counselor must follow a systematic model that will ensure an ethical
explanation for their behaviors and course of actions.
In the case of Lakia’s failed efforts in the relationship building group, the course of
action chosen is based on ethical responsibility, personal and professional honesty, and
operating in the best interests of all parties involved. Contacting parental figures,
reaching out to other involved parties, and providing appropriate resources as well as
maintain a professional and credible reputation will assist Lakia in not repeating the
same mistakes. Also, a very important fact to remember for future reference is to conduct
the appropriate and proper screening methods as well as getting consent from guardians
can help eliminate other types of problems.
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PAPER
7
References
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING PAPER
8
American Counseling Association, (2014). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from
https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics
Forester-Miller, H. & Davis, T., A Practitioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision Making, (1996).
American Counseling Association.
Stadler, H.A., (1986). Making hard choices: Clarifying controversial ethical issues. Counseling
& Human Development, 19, 1-10.
