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: |
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.
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Responses to the Summer 2001 Vignette |
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Case Vignette: |
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You are currently working with
a couple to help them strengthen their marriage. They say they are committed
to each other and to making their marriage work. However, a few days after
their last session you saw the wife having an intimate dinner with another
man who is obviously more than just a friend. Your next session is coming
up with the couple. What will you do with this information? How will you
continue to offer them marriage counseling if one of them is having an
affair?
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| Response |
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Seeing the wife having dinner with another man was not a part of therapy; it was just an accident. Since the wife did not share this information with you in a session, then it is not a topic that can be brought up in a future session. Also, you could have misinterpreted the dinner altogether. The man could have been a relative or a family friend. It is not your job as a counselor to interpret these observations and accuse the wife of having an affair. You could, however, address the couple's relationship and ask each person if they are still as committed to strengthening the marriage as they were previously. If the wife volunteers the information about having dinner with the other man or having an affair, then you can address it with the couple and help them work through it. Otherwise, it would be unethical to bring this issue up in the session. You would have to continue to offer the couple marriage counseling in the same manner that you did before. Jennifer Atkinson |