Answer:
Professional counselors have the duty of making sure that clients utilize their best judgment
when making decisions in the therapeutic process. However, professional counselors may find
difficulties when they encounter situations where they have to make their own decisions
grounded on ethical principles. A Practitioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision Making is a universal
course of action devised by Miller and Davis that assists professional counselors to sail across
difficult situations that need the most effective ethical decision judgment and skills (Wittmer,
2019). This course of action is developed to help in identifying the ethical dilemma and help
solve every situation, whether it is negative or positive. This guide focuses on helping
professional counselors identify any potential abuses to the American Counseling Code of
Ethics. This presentation will explore the ethical dilemma faced by Jane, who is a professional
counselor. Additionally, it will oppose while on the other hand agreeing with each aspect of her
skills of making a decision while applying the guide.
Identifying the Problem
Jane experiences counselor impairment since she feels burnout and stress. This condition affects
Jane ethically and professionally. She is not able to offer her clients the most effective care. This
condition affects Jane's mental and emotional state, thus preventing her from administering the
best care to her clients. Also, Jane is frustrated and overwhelmed for working without rest thus is
not able to work at her best. Jane acts carelessly when she makes a quick decision and fails to
focus on all her clients.
Application of the ACA Code of Ethics
, According to the American Counseling Association, counselors have the obligation of
continuously monitoring their efficiency as professionals. Jane should have taken a reasonable
course of action when dealing with such a matter that would result in a negative reaction or harm
to others. As stated in ACA (2014) section Jane should have conducted self-monitoring to
identify any signs of mental problems due to her continuous stress (Bakshi & Goss, 2019). She
should have considered seeking assistance for her mental health.
Determining The Dimensions and Nature of the Dilemma
Jane deems herself as encountering counselor impairment which forms the nature of the
dilemma. Additionally, Jane runs countertransference risk whereby the counselor has feelings for
her clients, affecting their therapeutic relationship. Jane compromises the therapeutic process
when she loses sight of her goal during counseling since she is not aware that her personal
emotions and opinions have become engaged. Lawson and Venart have written an article about
preventing counselor impairment where they discuss wellness, vulnerability, and resilience. They
provide a comprehensive and factual interpretation of the ACA initiative to fight the impairment
of the counselor by outlining the duties and necessity that a counselor has to uphold and keep
their personal wellness.
Possible Course of Action
The probable course of action that would more probably satisfy every party engaged would be
for Jane to schedule and plan her time well outside the office. For instance, she should have at
least planned her vacation for two weeks or more to give her enough time to set everything right.
Moreover, this period would offer her clients options and notice for them to seek assistance
elsewhere. Also, more time would ensure that another counselor would be able to offer help in
Professional counselors have the duty of making sure that clients utilize their best judgment
when making decisions in the therapeutic process. However, professional counselors may find
difficulties when they encounter situations where they have to make their own decisions
grounded on ethical principles. A Practitioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision Making is a universal
course of action devised by Miller and Davis that assists professional counselors to sail across
difficult situations that need the most effective ethical decision judgment and skills (Wittmer,
2019). This course of action is developed to help in identifying the ethical dilemma and help
solve every situation, whether it is negative or positive. This guide focuses on helping
professional counselors identify any potential abuses to the American Counseling Code of
Ethics. This presentation will explore the ethical dilemma faced by Jane, who is a professional
counselor. Additionally, it will oppose while on the other hand agreeing with each aspect of her
skills of making a decision while applying the guide.
Identifying the Problem
Jane experiences counselor impairment since she feels burnout and stress. This condition affects
Jane ethically and professionally. She is not able to offer her clients the most effective care. This
condition affects Jane's mental and emotional state, thus preventing her from administering the
best care to her clients. Also, Jane is frustrated and overwhelmed for working without rest thus is
not able to work at her best. Jane acts carelessly when she makes a quick decision and fails to
focus on all her clients.
Application of the ACA Code of Ethics
, According to the American Counseling Association, counselors have the obligation of
continuously monitoring their efficiency as professionals. Jane should have taken a reasonable
course of action when dealing with such a matter that would result in a negative reaction or harm
to others. As stated in ACA (2014) section Jane should have conducted self-monitoring to
identify any signs of mental problems due to her continuous stress (Bakshi & Goss, 2019). She
should have considered seeking assistance for her mental health.
Determining The Dimensions and Nature of the Dilemma
Jane deems herself as encountering counselor impairment which forms the nature of the
dilemma. Additionally, Jane runs countertransference risk whereby the counselor has feelings for
her clients, affecting their therapeutic relationship. Jane compromises the therapeutic process
when she loses sight of her goal during counseling since she is not aware that her personal
emotions and opinions have become engaged. Lawson and Venart have written an article about
preventing counselor impairment where they discuss wellness, vulnerability, and resilience. They
provide a comprehensive and factual interpretation of the ACA initiative to fight the impairment
of the counselor by outlining the duties and necessity that a counselor has to uphold and keep
their personal wellness.
Possible Course of Action
The probable course of action that would more probably satisfy every party engaged would be
for Jane to schedule and plan her time well outside the office. For instance, she should have at
least planned her vacation for two weeks or more to give her enough time to set everything right.
Moreover, this period would offer her clients options and notice for them to seek assistance
elsewhere. Also, more time would ensure that another counselor would be able to offer help in
