Dealing with Unethical Dilemmas
Situation 1:
1. The ethical dilemma: The client being a schoolmate/friend of the counselor’s daughter.
There is a dual relationship. Also, the client will have dinner at the counselor’s home.
2. Unethical behavior: The unethical behavior on the part of the counselor that will happen
in this situation in a way that the dinner might be uncomfortable as the client case might
be a part of the conversation. The daughter might get curious and will ask about the
situation, as well.
3. My course of action: As a counselor, I will take note of the incident of my client having
dinner at home and being my daughter’s schoolmate/friend. I will avoid talking about the
session/case of my client over the dinner table. If my client will talk about it, I will prevent
it from happening. I will establish the counselor-patient relationship different from being
a mom of a friend.
Situation 2:
1. The ethical dilemma: There is a nonprofessional dual relationship prior to the
client-patient relationship. The client is known to the counselor being the regular barista
and got to do check in’s with each other.
2. Unethical behavior: The unethical behavior on the part of the counselor that will happen
in this situation is the possibility of mental health discussion outside the office since there
will be daily morning encounters.
3. My course of action: This incident will be noted and recorded. I will ask the client of the
preference of seeing me as the counselor. The client should take part in the
decision-making for the possible unethical outcome. I might refer the client to another
counselor.
Situation 3:
1. The ethical dilemma: There is a dual relationship prior to counselor-client relationship.
Both are living in the same community and most likely will be sharing some community
activities together.
2. Unethical behavior: The unethical behavior on the part of the counselor that will happen
in this situation is the possibility of unending therapy sessions, out of office consultations,
and the regular encounters that could be awkward.
3. My course of action: I will ask the client the benefit of seeing me and that will be noted
and recorded. I will make sure that there will be boundaries that will meet each other's
needs - the client, referring clients to me and me having therapy sessions with the client.
Situation 4:
1. The ethical dilemma: Dual relationships existed in this situation - the counselor-client and
instructor-student relationship.
2. Unethical behavior: The unethical behavior on the part of the counselor that will happen
in this situation is the way the counselor will handle or treat the student in the class. The
counselor may give the student special attention or preference among other students
since the student is a client as well.
3. My course of action: This situation will be noted and recorded for future reference.
Empathy will always be there but making sure that crossing boundaries will be beneficial
to both. Never that the sessions will be discussed or mentioned in the class. I will not
give the student the opportunity to talk about it while in school. Special treatment or
preference will not be practiced, grades will not be jeopardized by mental health but
should be based on school performance.
Situation 5:
1. The ethical dilemma: A favor being asked by the client from the counselor.
2. Unethical behavior: The unethical behavior on the part of the counselor that will happen
in this situation is jeopardizing the counselor-client relationship by a personal favor.
3. My course of action: The request will be noted and recorded. I will make the client
understand that accompanying him is not part of my services as a counselor. But since
he is requesting, I will make sure that boundaries are being set. Joining him to go to his
friend’s grave is my way of showing him empathy. The favor that will be accorded the
client also aid in his therapy session.