Please consider these two scenarios for a moment. Scenario 1. The new client comes in and makes solid eye contact as she seats herself. You feel a surge of warmth toward her and are immediately interested. As the session progresses, you notice she is similar to you in certain unusual ways, and her passing remarks […]
Ethics
Why Counsellors Need Mental Health Therapy
Have you ever sat in session, listening to your client explain why they were angsty over some issue, only to find that you experienced a rising panic and sense of helplessness — because you, too, were dealing with the same issue? Have you ever finished a session with a deeply depressed client, only to find […]
- May 14, 2019
- 4
- 18548
- Counselling Theory & Process, Personal Effectiveness, Private Practice, Stress Management
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Benefits and Pitfalls of Counsellor Self-disclosure
Your client’s voice gets very low. In the hushed tones of deep shame, he confides, “I was so depressed yesterday, like never before. This was my marriage; it was so important to me, and I failed at it.” You are suddenly on high alert. You want to rush in and assure him that you know […]
- July 5, 2018
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- 31730
- Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues, Supervision
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Counselling Dilemma: Gambling Addiction and Social Media
You have been working as a gambling addictions counsellor for Relationships Australia for the past 5 years. You are active in the community and attend regular network meetings in your local area. One evening at a regular meeting you run into a previous client, Kobe. Kobe informs you that he has been in recovery for […]
- July 22, 2016
- 4
- 18481
- Addictions, Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues, Group Work
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E-therapy: A Look at the Benefits
Most of us would not have pursued a career in mental health helping (broadly including here counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, social work, and psychiatry) if we were not aware of and keen to extend to those in need the many benefits that the face-to-face therapeutic encounter brings. Accustomed to this format, we can easily dismiss online […]
- January 28, 2016
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- 6153
- Ethics & Legal Issues, Private Practice, Technology & Social Media
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Consider this Before “Friending” a Client
The same questions counsellors use to make wise decisions about dual or multiple relationships in the real world may be employed when considering the ethical consequences of engaging in an online dual relationship with a client: Is entering into a relationship in addition to the professional one necessary, or should I avoid it? Can the […]
- November 30, 2015
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- 10526
- Ethics & Legal Issues, Technology & Social Media
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Ten Barriers to Ethical Decisions in Counselling
Coleman (n.d) suggests ten (10) barriers to the ethical problem solving process. They are: Lack of knowledge of Ethical Standards Financial Incentives Perfectionism Fear of Criticism/Scrutiny by Others High Affiliative Needs Personal and/or Professional Immaturity Counsellor Substance Abuse Lack of Personal Values Clarification Limitations of Codes of Ethics and Conduct Lack of a Decision Making […]
- August 2, 2010
- 2
- 82527
- Ethics & Legal Issues
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Ethics and Ethical Codes in Counselling
Ethics are a set of moral principles or rules of conduct for an individual or group. The term ethics comes from the Greek ethos meaning custom, habit or character. Ethics determine choices made. In counselling, ethics underpin the nature and course of actions taken by the counsellor. Counsellors and others in helping professions are expected […]
- December 8, 2009
- 24
- 215795
- Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Counselling Dilemma: A Dominant Male Partner
Marcia, 29 years of age, came to you six weeks ago with issues of poor self-esteem and lack of self worth. She has been married for 8 years to Michael, however in session she speaks little about him and when the conversation turn towards him she quickly tries to change the subject or issue. Although […]
- October 23, 2009
- 7
- 6357
- Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues, Relationship & Families
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Ethics and Disclosure
Disclosure is a controversial issue when examining therapeutic boundaries. There are two issues to consider regarding disclosure. The first is counsellor disclosure and confidentiality. The second is counsellor disclosure (ie. how much does a client disclose about their own lives to a client?). Some counsellors would argue whatever is appropriate (but this is ambiguous). Other […]
- July 3, 2009
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- 12035
- Ethics & Legal Issues
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Book Review: Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions
Barsky, A. E. (2007). Conflict resolution for the helping professions (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole. 364 pages. ISBN: 0-495-09225-8 Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions offers a comprehensive coverage of the fundamental principles associated with conflict resolution. Specifically the author focuses on the areas of negotiation, mediation, group facilitation and advocacy across a broad […]
- December 2, 2008
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- 3437
- Book Reviews, Counselling Theory & Process
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Supervision: Ethical and Legal Considerations
Bernard and Goodyear, (1998) describe the major legal issues for clinical supervisors as malpractice, the duty to warn, and direct and vicarious liability. Malpractice – this refers to harm caused by negligence and is more likely for supervisors to be based on the alleged inadequate performance of their supervisee. The duty to warn – this […]
- September 12, 2008
- 1
- 26709
- Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues, Supervision
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Boundaries in Counselling
Boundaries are a crucial aspect of any effective client-counsellor relationship. They set the structure for the relationship and provide a consistent framework for the counselling process. Some boundary lines are clear. Most counsellors would acknowledge that it is ethically problematic, for example, to counsel your ex-partner because the pre-existing relationship impairs objectivity and serves to […]
- August 20, 2008
- 9
- 206415
- Counselling Theory & Process, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Book Review: Culturally Relevant Ethical Decision-Making in Counseling
Houser, R., Wilczenski, F.L., & Ham, M. (2006). Culturally Relevant Ethical Decision-Making in Counseling. London: Sage Publications Ltd. 334 pages. ISBN: 1-4129-0587-7. Counsellors are active participants in the counselling process, and the intimate relational aspect of counselling such as ethical decision making requires that counsellors have an understanding of ethics that goes beyond a basic […]
- August 15, 2008
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- 3412
- Book Reviews, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Counselling Dilemma: A Client Who Tells Offensive Jokes
You have a client of the opposite sex who is coming to see you weekly about problems with family and social relationships. He/she has been attending sessions with you for two months and seems likely to be a long-term client. Although initially very quiet and reluctant to discuss issues, you have succeeded in gaining his/her […]
- August 8, 2008
- 6
- 7637
- Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues
- Read More