Examples Of Ethical Issues In Counseling

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Ethical Issues Ethical and legal issues will arise in the counseling profession. It is essential for counselors to understand the dilemmas that come about in counseling, in order to handle scenarios efficiently. As discussed in the educational video, ethical and legal considerations have specific guidelines to adhere by. For ethical considerations, counselors are required to understand their personal boundaries, available resources, and knowledge of counselor’s legal rights (Laureate Education, 2008). For legal considerations, counselors are required to know the circumstances, compose detailed intake information, and have appropriate release of information signed (Laureate Education, 2008). This discussion will describe the ethical issues of confidentiality/privacy and conflicting values between …show more content…
It is vital to keep the conversations between the counselor and the client/family private and confidential (Wetchler & Hecker, 2015). The Association of marriage and family counselors (AMFC, 2001) Code of Ethics, standard 2.1, discusses the nature of confidentiality and the possible limitations of confidentiality (AMFC, 2001). Counselors are required to discuss confidentiality and privacy, along with the limitations, in the beginning of the counseling session (Patten, Barnett, & Houlihan, 1991). One of the limitations of confidentiality and privacy is if the counselor is required to discuss matters in a court setting. If a counselor does not obey in court, they will be charged with contempt in court (Wetchler & Hecker, 2015). The AMFC Code of Ethics, standard 2.2, discusses the counselor’s duty to contract written authorization from client to disclose information when mandated or prohibited by law (AMFC, 2001). It is essential to discuss all possible limitations to confidentiality/privacy with individuals, couples, or families before the counseling process