Ethical Dilemmas

Question

Description

Explore your general thoughts/concerns about ethical dilemmas in the field. What ethical dilemmas/boundary issues would you be surprised even come up? What dilemmas do you think you might struggle with as a new counselor and how come? What are some things you can do to prevent malpractice? What questions do you have about ethical dilemmas, if any going into next weeks lecture based on our discussion on managing boundaries? (250 word minimum)

-Respond thoughtfully to *two* classmates (150 word minimum per classmate)

Classmate Reply #1

Since I’m interested in working in a school setting as a school social worker. One Ethical Dilemma that I feel I would struggle with is when a school doesn’t have the proper staffing or follow the appropriate protocol to attend to a student with special needs. In my experience so far working with children that have autism, they have meltdowns. During these meltdowns, the school expects non-clinician like me to just stand back and not comfort the student to try to get the student to calm down. I'm afraid I have to disagree with this because the student, even though is a special needs student, they're other staff members and children that could be hurt while this student is having a meltdown in class. What I've observed during a breakdown the intervention team doesn't really touch the student, but they just talk to the student. I feel like this would be hard for me to just talk to the student in front of the classroom. In my opinion, the student should be removed from the classroom and taken for a walk until he/she could calm down. Another issue I feel like I'll struggle with is a parent that's in Denial. They feel like their children is always right and that the school is against them, and they will defend their child even when the students is wrong. With this being said, I have to remain focus and not be biassed towards a student because he or she doesn't behave. I feel like talking to someone, especially someone that's been in the field longer than you should be able to give you an idea on how you should deal with the situation. One important thing as a counselor is not taking any personal when it comes to a client's misconduct.

Classmate Reply #2

One ethical dilemma/boundary issue that I’m surprised even comes up is when a helper developed feelings for a client. It’s just hard to even picture that honestly. I feel like if you’re doing your job correctly and for the right reasons something like that should never happen. You need to remain professional in your practice. People say “you can’t help who you like” but I disagree. There comes a point where you invite it in. You can feel feelings develop, it doesn’t just happen. You should have the mental strength to steer yourself away. It’s not fair to your client that you can’t pull yourself together. I know it seems harsh but that’s just how I feel and you need to control yourself and your sexual desires in any profession, but especially this one.

A dilemma I might struggle with as a counselor is when my client tells me that they have been self harming or thinking about it. I know In this case I have to let my supervisor or their guardians know, but at the same time I don’t want to break their trust. I need to find a way to let them know that it’s for their own good that I let somebody else know so they can be safe. It’s just hard because I want them to be okay, but at the same time I don’t want them to think they can’t trust me - cause I know it would take a lot of trust for someone to tell me that they self harm. People don’t just go around saying stuff like that. I would just try to keep it professional and let them know that I’m here for them and care about them and that their behavior isn’t healthy. Maybe even encourage them to pick up a hobby they can do instead, or encourage them to do other things they like.

Another dilemma I might struggle with as a counselor is if a client has a break down in front of me. I’m a very empathetic person so I might even cry myself, but it’s hard because I’m supposed to be strong for them too at the same time. As a professional helper I think you should be empathetic, but also know how to pull yourself together and be able to assist your client. I can’t help my client if I’m down with them. They should know that I feel sad with them, so they feel understood, but I should also be like a rock for them and have my own strength.

To prevent malpractice in either of my dilemmas I need to make sure I run things by my supervisor. I need to also make sure I follow the rules of wherever I work and make sure that I adhere to other common sense rules as well. For example, if a client is crying about something I can’t just hug them randomly and like grab their hand and hold it to support them or whatever. If they ask for a hug then that’s different. Unnecessary touching could cost me my job because it could be seen as sexual harassment.