● Keep the primary focus on the goals of the counseling process to ensure client welfare. ● Set clear rules, expectations, and boundaries for conduct, goals, procedures, and outcomes to be reviewed with the client at the initial meeting, written and agreed upon with informed consent. Revisit these topics as the therapeutic relationship progresses to ensure boundaries are maintained. ● Monitor speech, methods, procedures, and policies to westablish and maintain a therapeutic environment. ● Adhere to rules and codes governing relationship boundaries outside of counseling setting. ● Identify and avoid potential conflicts of interest. ● Maintain appropriate counselor client relationships with the client’s friends and family as well. If it feels like a boundary crossing, stop and review the issue. ● Avoid discussion, contact, or any activity that may cross boundaries or be perceived by the client as crossing a boundary into nontherapeutic or personal relationships. ● Follow decision making steps to identify and address potential ethical violations. Case Study 3: Boundary Issues Counselor Y. had a male client Z. who presented with indicators for depression and lack of self-esteem that affected his social skills at work and in his personal life. Y. and Z. had a positive client–counselor relationship and were successful in applying a shared decision-making process to address Zs feelings of inadequacy and anxiety in social settings. They developed strategies for desensitization to address his social anxiety, which were effective. The client began to feel more confident as he gained control and his attitude and outlook improved. Counselor Y. noticed a change in Z’s attitude toward her that went from complimentary to comments about her physical appearance with veiled sexual overtones. Counselor Y. tried to redirect the client through discussions of the importance of boundary issues and rules that must be followed to maintain an appropriate client–counselor relationship. She referred him back to the informed consent documents he signed concerning boundaries, communication and behavior rules, and the counseling plan. Those efforts failed, and Counselor Y. felt increasingly uncomfortable around the
● Assess any emotional or physical changes that may indicate client discomfort or stress. ● Always consider how words and actions will be received and perceived and if they will support the counseling goals for the welfare of the client. ● Consider the client’s ability to process information so that nothing is misconstrued or taken out of context. It is important to gather and review as much client history and background information as possible for planning the counseling approach. ● Maintain comprehensive documentation and case notes of all sessions and any inadvertent or planned contact that may occur outside of the counseling session. ● Always refer to the statutes and principles that govern boundary issues and take action to remediate the issue. Revisit the practice plan, rules for interaction, informed consent documents, goals, and outcomes agreed upon with clients to reset the focus within appropriate boundaries. ● Seek assistance from professional associations, supervisors, agency resources, or experienced colleagues if in doubt. client who continued to use inappropriate comments and body language toward her. Counselor Y. was glad that the client was making progress and becoming more confident but disturbed by his responses and behaviors that were interfering with the counseling plan and her ability to communicate and work effectively with him. After consulting her supervisor and a trusted colleague, she decided to terminate counseling with Z. and made a referral to another qualified, licensed counselor practicing nearby. Discussion Did the counselor act in an ethical manner? Counselor Y. was justified in terminating the counseling relationship because according to the ACA Code of Ethic, she could no longer work effectively with Z. due to his inappropriate behavior and language. She was also at risk for harm by the client as his inappropriate behavior was increasing, providing grounds for termination. She did not abandon Z. and found an appropriate counselor to continue his counseling plan at a location close by.
UNETHICAL REPRESENTATIONS
It goes without saying that professional counselors should never communicate false, fraudulent, misleading, or exaggerated claims related to counseling services or outcomes intentionally, which leads to the next category of ethical concern. As with the other ethical violations, Texas law and the national association codes of ethics clearly state the guiding
rules and standards to follow to avoid ethical missteps in this area. Many violations are motivated by the counselor’s special interests and financial gain in direct contrast to the rules stated in the TAC and ethics code standards. More
importantly, violations in this area run counter to the primary goal of counselling to promote the welfare of the client. The Texas Administrative Code: Rule §681.41, Subchapter B: Unethical Representations (Tex.Reg, 2021) (a) A licensee must not make any false, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, or exaggerated claim or statement about the licensee’s services, including, but not limited to: (1) the effectiveness of services. (2) the licensee’s qualifications, capabilities, background, (c) A licensee must discourage a client from holding exaggerated or false ideas about the licensee’s professional services, including, but not limited to, the effectiveness of the services, practice, qualifications, associations, or activities. If a licensee learns of exaggerated or false ideas held by a client or other
training, experience, education, professional affiliations, fees, products, or publications; or (3) the practice or field of counseling. (b) A licensee must not make any false, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, or exaggerated claim or statement about the services of a mental health organization or agency, including, but not limited to, the effectiveness of services, qualifications, or products.
person, the licensee must take immediate and reasonable action to correct the ideas held.
(d) A licensee must make reasonable efforts to discourage others whom the licensee does not control from making misrepresentations; exaggerated or false claims; or false, deceptive, or fraudulent statements about the licensee’s practice, services, qualifications, associations, or activities. If a licensee learns of a misrepresentation; exaggerated or false claim; or false, deceptive, or
EliteLearning.com/Counselor
Book Code: PCTX1325
Page 78
Powered by FlippingBook