20190630061734what_would_you_do1 x
Review the NAADAC or ACA Code of Ethics for your discipline. What challenges do you feel may be presented by these codes? Be specific. What is the reporting process at your site for duty to warn and duty to protect?
After reviewing both the NAADAC and the ACA Code of Ethics I do not anticipate any challenges that may be presented by these codes. I say this because both the ACA and NAADAC codes of ethics define principles of ethical behavior required by the counseling profession. As a novice counselor, I understand that these codes will assure that I’m not imposing my own values onto my client, as I remain objective. Being mindful of these codes will allow me to practice patience, tolerance and unconditional regard for each individual client and being cognizant of personal views. The codes specify that the counselor not discriminate against clients based on race, religion, age, gender, disability, national ancestry sexual orientation, or economic condition. In addition, I will not be hesitant to seek supervision if I was ever in need to resolve a conflict. This is something that I have to continue to be mindful of when providing best practices to my clients. I’m aware that one’s culture is generally viewed as a strength that, during treatment or supervision, therefore it should be validated. In an article by Holloway 1995, it mentions how clinical supervision must address gender, racial, ethnic, and cultural concerns. Particularly when the client and counselor (or counselor and supervisor) are of different cultures, this disparity can have a significant impact on the therapeutic alliance and the effects of treatment. Supervisors can have a positive effect on their supervisees because they can provide a climate in which discussion of these issues is encouraged and by modeling appropriate behaviors.
In regards to the reporting process at my site for duty to warn and duty to protect, it is the same for both substance abuse and mental health clients. Counselors are to inquire if the client has a plan or means to act out on the threat and then immediately inform their supervisor. The supervisor would then make a call to the appropriate agency, whether its Division of Youth Family Services (child abuse), School (if teacher is threatened) Hospital (for substance abuse client) to be transferred to a hospital for further evaluation – psychiatrically evaluated by a psychiatric screening center nearby (mental health clients). Information about the incident/case will be shared with assisting agencies/hospitals in accordance with HIPPA. All clients are made of aware of this during intake when they sign off and given a copy of the Client Bill of Rights.
References
American Counseling Association (2014). Ethics. Retrieved from
http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics
Holloway E. Clinical Supervision: A Systems Approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications; 1995
National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (2013). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from
http://www.naadac.org/membership/code-of-ethics#viii
My response:
Good afternoon Michael
Class,
The portion of the ACA Code of Ethics that I feel that I struggle with the most, and have learned from a past experience is B.2.a. This section is titled “Serious and Foreseeable Harm and Legal Requirements”. Within this section is outlines that confidentially can be broken if the client is to put themselves or others within harms way or for legal obligations. This portion appears to be black and white, however, it is not and different people may hold different prospectives regarding what is life threatening and what is not. Long story short, I had a client that I was conducting an assessment with and by the end of the assessment the client was barely cognizant due to the substances that they had ingested moments prior. That particular client as well as another client had ridden a motorcycle to the assessment, and the one whom would be controlling the motorcycle was the one who had very compromised cognition. After speaking with the client and informing them that I could not let them ride off, they ran out of the facility on hopped on the motorcycle. After consulting with my clinical supervisor and other facility workers on whether to call the cops or not each individual had their own idea of what was right or wrong regarding handling the situation.
Regarding duty to warn, if a client does not state that they are a danger to themselves or others though we may feel that they are, we will then highly suggest to the client as well as whomever they placed on their Release of Information that they should seek medical or legal attention. If a client does state that they are at harm to themselves or others, we will then consult with the clinical supervisor and call the appropriate emergency outline to assist the client.
ACA Code of Ethics (2014). 2014 ACA Code of Ethics Retrieved from: https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2014-code-of-ethics-finaladdress ?sfvrsn=96b532c_2
My response:
Good afternoon Julie
Hello Professor and Class,
As I reviewed the Code of Ethics presented by NAADAC I a couple of things caught my eye as I read into them. One in the area of Principle I: The Counseling Relationship, and Principle IV:Working in a Culturally Diverse World. As I reviewed the 42 different areas Principle I covers I feel that specific challenges as it relates to the area I’m in and the things I may encounter may be presented in the area of Multiple/Dual Relationships, diversity, and previous clients. I chose those 3 areas because of the fact that I have been a worker in the community for an extended period of time and I am often in contact with a lot of people on a regular basis who have issues related to drugs and alcohol. I also reside in a very small, close knit area where there are a lot of people are familiar with one another. For example there are only a few grocery stores, places to eat, schools, and other areas where people congregate together. Since there aren’t but so many places for a person to consider seeking services I am pretty sure that I may be encountered by a past client, or someone where there is a possibility of some type of dual relationship. At the site I will be completing my practicum the reporting process is to immediately report it to the site supervisor in order to protect the welfare of the client, through staffing of the situation. In an instance such as this it may be most appropriate to have the client assigned to someone else, or for me as an intern to be in observation of another case. Addiction Professionals shall make every effort to avoid multiple relationships with a client. When a dual relationship is unavoidable, the professional shall take extra care so that professional judgment is not impaired and there is no risk of client exploitation(
www.naadac.org/code-of-ethics
).
As far as diversity is concerned I feel that even though I attempt to be as culturally diverse as I can possibly be, I feel that I can never be as familiar with diversity as you think you are until you are actually encountered with different populations regularly. I attempt to keep myself very familiar by attending trainings and such but feel that I would also like to be exposed to it as much as possible. Addiction Professionals shall respect the diversity of clients and seek training and supervision in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients(www.naadac.org/code-of-ethics). At my current site they cater to a large population/a very diverse group of people, so there is no doubt that I will be able to receive my exposure. My only issue may be language barriers and if that is presented there the agency recommends that the therapist that is able to speak the specific language is notified, and able to ensure that the client understands what being presented or discussed. The clinical supervisor would also be notified, based on the fact it required to keep her informed of issues presented. I would always want to make sure that client is able to comprehend what is going on around or amongst them, which is for safety reasons. As a clinician I always want to protect my clients safety in order to be able to develop trust needed to form the clinical relationship.
https://www.naadac.org/code-of-ethics
My response:
Good afternoon Katrina
What is your plan for ensuring that you acquire the necessary hours to successfully complete this course? What would you do if you have any concern that you may not meet the hour requirements?
My practicum process began by planning ahead by adhering to all requirements and pre-requisites need to get to this point of my pre-practicum, practicum. My plan for continued success in terms of necessary hours for completion of this course will be to continue to plan ahead. For instance, I have set-up scheduled days and times for me to be at my practicum site for the next 3 weeks. In order to do this I utilized my work schedule, and compared it to the weekly assignments. By doing so I was able to calculate the number of hours per week needed to obtain the required practicum hours. With me scheduling my work hours with my supervisor as well as with my practicum site supervisor is a sign of my willingness to commit to properly obtaining the required 100 pre-practicum hours as well as the 150 practicum hours needed to complete the course and move forward. My practicum supervisor has given me a sign-in and sign-out time sheet which will be turned in at the end of the week. An important item is to be familiar with and document all client contact hours and not have more than 3 hours per week of administrative duties.
I foresee no concerns regarding my meeting the hourly requirements; however, if there were to be any challenges, I will contact my site supervisor. Hopefully, she will be able to help me make arrangements to get extra hours. I will also contact my GCU Field Supervisor. The key for me is to stay committed, focused, continue planning, as well as staying connected with site supervisor and field supervisor will prove beneficial and provide successful outcome.
Peace and Blessings,
My response:
Good afternoon Patricia