The Ethics Corner
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In each publication of Professional Issues in Counseling, we will present an ethical case vignette and ask for feedback from the journal readers. Responses can be sent by e-mail to edu_msn@shsu.edu The responses will be included in the next issue of piic. |
Case Vignette: |
You are a first year school counselor at a middle school. One morning, John, a sixth grade student approaches you and says he needs to talk to you. He begins to share concerns he has about his new stepfather. He believes his stepfather is selling drugs. He says his stepfather frequently has "suspicious" visitors and that he always takes the visitors to the garage. John says there is a locked workroom in the garage and that he has been told on several occasions to stay away from the room because Steve, his stepfather has expensive tools inside. One day John was looking for a hammer in the garage. Steve walked up behind him, grabbed him by the shirt, shoved him against the wall and warned him to stay away from the workroom. Steve threatened to hurt John if he saw him in the garage again and if told his mother about the incident. John says Steve doesn't have a job but always has a big roll of money. When John questioned his mother about Steve's job she said that he was a self-employed businessman. John states that Steve carries a locked briefcase. John says he is afraid of Steve and doesn't want Steve to hurt him or his mother. He asks you to call the police and report Steve.As a school counselor what would you do? What are the ethical issues and considerations in this case? |
Responses to the Winter 2001 Vignette |
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Case Vignette: |
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Sharon, a licensed counselor,
received a certified letter from the licensing board in her state. She
knew immediately when she saw the letter that it could not be good news.
She had been practicing for 12 years and had never had much negative interaction
with a client or the licensing board. After opening and reading the letter,
Sharon realized that they had gotten her confused with another counselor
due to the similarity of their last names. Believing that the Board would
soon recognize this mistake, she put the letter aside and did not think
it necessary to respond. Imagine her surprise when she received a second
letter in which the Board informed her that her license was being revoked
due to the investigation and the lack of response on her part.
What are Sharon's options now and what should she have done upon receipt of the letter? |
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