Ethics in Counselling Practise
Professor Craig A. Jackson
Head of Division of Psychology
Craig.Jackson@bcu.ac.uk
Ethics Morality & Laws
Ethics refers to the beliefs that individuals hold about “what is right”
Ethical Conduct: the behaviours exhibited by the counsellor
Good ethical conduct grounded in sound moral principles,
understanding the ethical codes, and having the desire to do “what is
right”
Laws and Ethical Codes regulate the work of counsellors
Laws enforced by government of society standards
Morality refers to proper ethical conduct and involves an evaluation of
conduct based on standard expectations often influenced by cultural,
religion, etc.
Components of Ethical Counselling
The components of good ethical behaviour include:
Understanding & implementing ethical codes.
Doing what is best for the client
Practicing the four core virtues:
prudence, integrity, respectfulness, & benevolence
(Meara, Schmidt & Day, 1996)
Realising importance of intuition, integrity, & honest self-evaluation
in ethical decisions
Placing client welfare as paramount
Virtue Ethics don't cover Everything
Although ethics codes speak to various issues, counselor must
recognise that these codes tend to be broad, & thus they do not
cover all ethical issues faced by counsellors
Ethics codes offered by most professional codes are broad &
general not precise & specific
Own ethical awareness & problem-solving skills will determine how
to translate these general guidelines into professional day-to-day
behaviour
Ethical codes are necessary, but not sufficient, to exercise ethical
responsibility - be aware of code limits
Client's needs before Counsellor's
Ethically, counsellors need to be aware of their – own needs,
areas of unfinished business,
potential personal conflicts and defences
how this may effect the clients
Responsibilities to work actively toward expanding own selfawareness and recognise areas of prejudice & vulnerability
Personal power is an effective quality of the therapist
Counsellor's need to nurture
Multicultural Issues
Biases are reflected when:
Neglect social and community factors to focus
unduly on individualism
Assess clients with instruments that have not
been normed on the population they represent
Judge as psychopathological those behaviours,
beliefs, or experiences that are normal for the
client’s culture
Sexuality Issues
LGBT issues
Sexuality /
counsellors
Gender
matching
of
Dual Relationships: Some Pointers
Will my dual relationship keep me from confronting and challenging
the client?
Will my needs for the relationship become more important than
therapeutic activities?
Can my client manage the dual relationship?
Whose needs are being met: my client’s or my own?
Can I recognise and manage professionally my attraction to my
client?
Ethical Issues and Practice
Why are ethical standards needed?
What ethical standards guide the work of
counselling psychologists?
What areas of ethical difficulty are faced by
professionals in the field?
How do counsellors make ethical decisions?
Ethical Standards are Needed
Ensure competent professional behaviour
Responsibility to public trust
Professionals monitor their own & other members’ behaviour
Controversies over the development of ethical codes
Ethical dilemmas
Character and virtue
BPS Ethics code
Principles of Ethical Practice
Autonomy:
independence and self- determination
Nonmaleficence:
do no harm
Beneficence:
promote good or wellness
Justice:
commitment of fairness
Fidelity:
make honest promises / don't deceive / exploit clients
Common Ethical Dilemmas in Practice
Multiple-Role Relationships
Informed Consent
Confidentiality
Privileged Communication
Legal cases
Expert testimony
Multiple Roles Relationships Conflict
Problems with multiple role relationships
(Pope, 1991):
Erosion/distortion of therapy
Conflicts of interest
Adverse effects on client rights & cog process
Multiple Roles Relationships Conflict
Guidelines (Herlihy & Corey, 1997)
Set healthy boundaries early
Consult with fellow professionals
Work under supervision
Use self-monitoring
Informed Consent
Two central aspects:
Disclosure & Free consent
Origins of informed consent
Informed consent requires a consent that is competent, knowing,
and voluntary
The process of informed consent:
Ongoing
Includes a discussion of the limits of confidentiality
Some Aspects of Informed Consent
General goals of counselling,
Responsibilities of counsellor toward client,
Responsibilities of clients,
Limitations of & exceptions to confidentiality,
Legal & ethical parameters that define relationship,
Qualifications & background of practitioner,
Fees involved,
Services client can expect,
Approximate length of therapeutic process
Confidentiality
Not disclosing client information
without her/his prior consent
Secrets and trust in friendship vs.
the counselling relationship
Caveats to Confidentiality
• Client request for release of information
• Court orders for confidential information
• Child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable adult
• Danger to oneself
• Danger to others
Confidentiality Case Study
Confidentiality Case Study
Confidentiality Case Study
Confidentiality Case Study
Confidentiality Case Study
Confidentiality Case Study
Recent Trends
• Duty to Warn
• Reporting Child Abuse
• Technology Usage
• Relationships with Former Clients
• Managed Care
• Confronting Counsellor Impairment
How Counsellors Make Ethical Choices
Identify the ethical dilemma: ethical, legal, moral?
Identify potential issues: evaluate the rights and
responsibilities of all parties
Look at the relevant ethics code for guidance
Consider applicable laws
Consult
Brainstorm various courses of action
Identify the consequences of each action
Decide on the best possible course of action
Corey 2005
Risk Management
Competence
Quantify hazards
Communication
Attention to the therapeutic relationship
Supervision and consultation
Record keeping
Insurance
Knowledge of ethics and relevant law
Practice self-care