Professor Craig A. JacksonProfessor Craig A. JacksonHead of Division of PsychologyHead of Division of Psychology

Craig.Jackson@bcu.ac.ukCraig.Jackson@bcu.ac.uk

Ethics in Counselling PractiseEthics in Counselling Practise

Ethics Morality & LawsEthics Morality & LawsEthics refers to the beliefs that individuals hold about “what is right”Ethics refers to the beliefs that individuals hold about “what is right”

Ethical Conduct: the behaviours exhibited by the counsellorEthical Conduct: the behaviours exhibited by the counsellor

Good ethical conduct grounded in sound moral principles, Good ethical conduct grounded in sound moral principles, understanding the ethical codes, and having the desire to do “what is understanding the ethical codes, and having the desire to do “what is right”right”

Laws and Ethical Codes regulate the work of counsellorsLaws and Ethical Codes regulate the work of counsellors

Laws enforced by government of society standardsLaws enforced by government of society standards

Morality refers to proper ethical conduct and involves an evaluation of Morality refers to proper ethical conduct and involves an evaluation of conduct based on standard expectations often influenced by cultural, conduct based on standard expectations often influenced by cultural, religion, etc.religion, etc.

Components of Ethical CounsellingComponents of Ethical CounsellingThe components of good ethical behaviour include:The components of good ethical behaviour include:

Understanding & implementing ethical codes.Understanding & implementing ethical codes.Doing what is best for the clientDoing what is best for the client

Practicing the four core virtues:Practicing the four core virtues:prudence, integrity, respectfulness, & benevolenceprudence, integrity, respectfulness, & benevolence (Meara, Schmidt & Day, 1996)(Meara, Schmidt & Day, 1996)

Realising importance of intuition, integrity, & honest self-evaluation Realising importance of intuition, integrity, & honest self-evaluation in ethical decisionsin ethical decisions

Placing client welfare as paramountPlacing client welfare as paramount

Virtue Ethics don't cover EverythingVirtue Ethics don't cover EverythingAlthough ethics codes speak to various issues, counselor must Although ethics codes speak to various issues, counselor must recognise that these codes tend to be broad, & thus they do not recognise that these codes tend to be broad, & thus they do not cover all ethical issues faced by counsellorscover all ethical issues faced by counsellors

Ethics codes offered by most professional codes are broad & Ethics codes offered by most professional codes are broad & general not precise & specificgeneral not precise & specific

Own ethical awareness & problem-solving skills will determine how Own ethical awareness & problem-solving skills will determine how to translate these general guidelines into professional day-to-day to translate these general guidelines into professional day-to-day behaviourbehaviour

Ethical codes are necessary, but not sufficient, to exercise ethical Ethical codes are necessary, but not sufficient, to exercise ethical responsibility - be aware of code limits responsibility - be aware of code limits

Client's needs before Counsellor'sClient's needs before Counsellor's

Ethically, counsellors need to be aware of their – own needs,Ethically, counsellors need to be aware of their – own needs, areas of unfinished business,areas of unfinished business, potential personal conflicts and defences potential personal conflicts and defences how this may effect the clientshow this may effect the clients

Responsibilities to work actively toward expanding own self-Responsibilities to work actively toward expanding own self-awareness and recognise areas of prejudice & vulnerabilityawareness and recognise areas of prejudice & vulnerability

Personal power is an effective quality of the therapistPersonal power is an effective quality of the therapist

Counsellor's need to nurtureCounsellor's need to nurture

Multicultural IssuesMulticultural Issues

Biases are reflected when:Biases are reflected when:

Neglect social and community factors to focus Neglect social and community factors to focus unduly on individualismunduly on individualism

Assess clients with instruments that have not Assess clients with instruments that have not been normed on the population they representbeen normed on the population they represent

Judge as psychopathological those behaviours, Judge as psychopathological those behaviours, beliefs, or experiences that are normal for the beliefs, or experiences that are normal for the client’s cultureclient’s culture

Sexuality IssuesSexuality Issues

LGBT issuesLGBT issues

Sexuality / Gender matching of Sexuality / Gender matching of counsellorscounsellors

Dual Relationships: Some PointersDual Relationships: Some Pointers

Will my dual relationship keep me from confronting and challenging Will my dual relationship keep me from confronting and challenging the client?the client?

Will my needs for the relationship become more important than Will my needs for the relationship become more important than therapeutic activities?therapeutic activities?

Can my client manage the dual relationship?Can my client manage the dual relationship?

Whose needs are being met: my client’s or my own?Whose needs are being met: my client’s or my own?

Can I recognise and manage professionally my attraction to my Can I recognise and manage professionally my attraction to my client?client?

Ethical Issues and PracticeEthical Issues and Practice

Why are ethical standards needed?Why are ethical standards needed?

What ethical standards guide the work of What ethical standards guide the work of counselling psychologists?counselling psychologists?

What areas of ethical difficulty are faced by What areas of ethical difficulty are faced by professionals in the field?professionals in the field?

How do counsellors make ethical decisions?How do counsellors make ethical decisions?

Ethical Standards are NeededEthical Standards are Needed

Ensure competent professional behaviourEnsure competent professional behaviour Responsibility to public trustResponsibility to public trust

Professionals monitor their own & other members’ behaviourProfessionals monitor their own & other members’ behaviour

Controversies over the development of ethical codesControversies over the development of ethical codes Ethical dilemmasEthical dilemmas

Character and virtueCharacter and virtue

BPS Ethics codeBPS Ethics code

Principles of Ethical PracticePrinciples of Ethical PracticeAutonomy: Autonomy: independence and self- determinationindependence and self- determination

Nonmaleficence:Nonmaleficence: do no harm do no harm

Beneficence: Beneficence: promote good or wellness promote good or wellness

Justice:Justice: commitment of fairnesscommitment of fairness

Fidelity: Fidelity: make honest promises / don't deceive / exploit clientsmake honest promises / don't deceive / exploit clients

Common Ethical Dilemmas in PracticeCommon Ethical Dilemmas in Practice

Multiple-Role RelationshipsMultiple-Role Relationships

Informed ConsentInformed Consent

Confidentiality Confidentiality

Privileged CommunicationPrivileged Communication

Legal casesLegal cases

Expert testimonyExpert testimony

Multiple Roles Relationships ConflictMultiple Roles Relationships Conflict

Problems with multiple role relationships Problems with multiple role relationships (Pope, 1991):(Pope, 1991):

Erosion/distortion of therapyErosion/distortion of therapy Conflicts of interestConflicts of interest Adverse effects on client rights & cog processAdverse effects on client rights & cog process

Multiple Roles Relationships ConflictMultiple Roles Relationships Conflict

Guidelines (Herlihy & Corey, 1997)Guidelines (Herlihy & Corey, 1997)

Set healthy boundaries earlySet healthy boundaries early

Consult with fellow professionalsConsult with fellow professionals

Work under supervisionWork under supervision

Use self-monitoringUse self-monitoring

Informed ConsentInformed Consent Two central aspects:Two central aspects:

Disclosure & Free consentDisclosure & Free consent

Origins of informed consentOrigins of informed consent

Informed consent requires a consent that is competent, knowing, Informed consent requires a consent that is competent, knowing, and voluntary and voluntary

The process of informed consent:The process of informed consent:OngoingOngoingIncludes a discussion of the limits of confidentialityIncludes a discussion of the limits of confidentiality

Some Aspects of Informed ConsentSome Aspects of Informed Consent

General goals of counselling,General goals of counselling,Responsibilities of counsellor toward client,Responsibilities of counsellor toward client,Responsibilities of clients,Responsibilities of clients,Limitations of & exceptions to confidentiality,Limitations of & exceptions to confidentiality,Legal & ethical parameters that define relationship,Legal & ethical parameters that define relationship,Qualifications & background of practitioner,Qualifications & background of practitioner,Fees involved,Fees involved,Services client can expect,Services client can expect,Approximate length of therapeutic processApproximate length of therapeutic process

ConfidentialityConfidentiality

Not disclosing client information Not disclosing client information without her/his prior consentwithout her/his prior consent

Secrets and trust in friendship vs. Secrets and trust in friendship vs. the counselling relationship the counselling relationship

Caveats to ConfidentialityCaveats to Confidentiality

•Client request for release of information Client request for release of information

•Court orders for confidential information Court orders for confidential information

•Child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable adult Child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable adult

•Danger to oneselfDanger to oneself

•Danger to othersDanger to others

Confidentiality Case StudyConfidentiality Case Study

Confidentiality Case StudyConfidentiality Case Study

Confidentiality Case StudyConfidentiality Case Study

Confidentiality Case StudyConfidentiality Case Study

Confidentiality Case StudyConfidentiality Case Study

Confidentiality Case StudyConfidentiality Case Study

Recent TrendsRecent Trends

•Duty to WarnDuty to Warn

•Reporting Child Abuse Reporting Child Abuse

•Technology UsageTechnology Usage

•Relationships with Former Clients Relationships with Former Clients

•Managed CareManaged Care

•Confronting Counsellor ImpairmentConfronting Counsellor Impairment

How Counsellors Make Ethical ChoicesHow Counsellors Make Ethical Choices

Identify the ethical dilemma: ethical, legal, moral?Identify the ethical dilemma: ethical, legal, moral?

Identify potential issues: evaluate the rights and Identify potential issues: evaluate the rights and

responsibilities of all partiesresponsibilities of all parties

Look at the relevant ethics code for guidanceLook at the relevant ethics code for guidance

Consider applicable lawsConsider applicable laws

ConsultConsult

Brainstorm various courses of actionBrainstorm various courses of action

Identify the consequences of each actionIdentify the consequences of each action

Decide on the best possible course of actionDecide on the best possible course of actionCorey 2005Corey 2005

Risk ManagementRisk Management

CompetenceCompetence

Quantify hazardsQuantify hazards

Communication Communication

Attention to the therapeutic relationshipAttention to the therapeutic relationship

Supervision and consultationSupervision and consultation

Record keepingRecord keeping

InsuranceInsurance

Knowledge of ethics and relevant law Knowledge of ethics and relevant law

Practice self-carePractice self-care