Application of the ACA Code of Ethics
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Application of the ACA Code of Ethics
The 2014 American Counselors Association (ACA) code of ethics guides ethical dilemmas. Its mission is to enhance better life through professional counselors’ growth and progress in the counseling profession and using the process of counseling to champion rights and diversity of humanity. (ACA,2014)Therefore, counselors can promote the growth of their clients by following specific ethical processes and assessing the context of the situation.
In the vignette, Linda, a mental health counselor, has been seeing Linda for six months. Julie is sensitive to rejection, which makes her terminate some friendships. In this case, we see the common ground for both Linda and Julie, where Linda’s responses towards Julie express their commonality. In this case, there’s a potential that there will violate the ethical concerns of the relationship between a client and a counselor. (ACA,2014)As stated in the code of ethics, a counselor should exempt themselves in a counseling relationship with their friends where there is an impossibility of remaining objective. Other instances that indicate the relationship between Julie and Linda may change is the innate desire that Julie has towards the counselor in developing a friendship with her.
Occasionally it has also been indicated that Julie and Linda meet in the high school bands that their children attend while in school. As they wait for their children, they have some times to chat. The ethical concern of establishment and observing the boundaries extensions should be reevaluated. Additionally, the counselor must document the extension relationships in such a case as a measure of prevention from the occurrence of harm and the practice of protection of the client and anyone close to the client. on the part of the counselor, making sure a potentially unhealthy relationship does not happen between the two. (ACA,2014)
The desire of Julie to rejoin church is also one of the issues causing significant concern. Linda and her husband happen to be part of the church as notable players, and most church functions take place in Linda’s home place. Although she may want to connect Julie to the church, it may have other implications regarding their relationship, which may have harmful effects on the counselor and the client.
Linda can decide to change the role of a counselor in their relationship. This will come with some challenges as the client may also view this as a form of rejection when they do not understand the importance of boundaries. Additionally, Linda can also choose to drop from the case and focus on their relationship friends. If harm is reported in due course, it will also affect the practice counseling for Linda.
As a counselor, I would take time to explain to the client the dangers of not maintain professional boundaries so that one may understand the limits which the counselor can work within. Additionally, sticking to the lane of professionalism and observing ethical guidelines will also help eliminate any emotional attachment that may lead to harm. (Moyer &Crew, 2016)Linda has an apparent weakness in her response towards Julie, her client, due to their commonalities; she responds by reinforcing these commonalities that they should have been friends. Furthermore, Linda feels that connecting Juliet with the church may also be beneficial. These counterfrent issues of attachment to the client need an address with a supervisor or colleague.
REFERENCES
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics: As approved by the ACA governing council. [Electronic version].
Moyer, M., & Crews, C. (2016). Applied ethics and decision making in mental health. SAGE Publications