Ethics in Counseling

Case Study: Imposing Values on Clients

Ethics in Psychology

November 26, 2012

Case Study: Imposing Values on Clients

In almost all professions, a code of conduct is provided .This code of conduct must be adhered to by every profession in the industry. In psychology, there are a set of rules and regulations set by the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Psychology Association (APA) that should be followed by counselors practicing psychology. These rules are known as the Ethics code of psychology. In Joe’s case study, a lot of ethics have been breached.

1) Breach of ethics on the counselor’s part

The American Counselors Association (ACA) ethics code (2005) has clear guidelines on how counselors should relate with their colleagues in the counseling industry and supervisors. Section F of the code of ethics clearly defines the limits of a relationship between a counselor and his or her supervisor. Specifically, section F.3.b clearly stipulates that a counselor should not have a sexual relationship with his or her supervisor. Clearly Joe’s behavior has breached the ethical code of conduct.

Joe is not supposed to have any sexual relationship with any of his supervisors. When the American Counselors Association specified that counselors should not have sexual relationships with their current supervisors, they knew that issues like the one in Joe’s case would come up. Joe is unable to approach the supervisor and explain to her the issues affecting Jill’s counseling. This is because he needs to tell the supervisor that he cannot continue to counsel Jill because they are having sex. He is unable to approach his supervisor because he is having sex with her too. This results in the deterioration of Jill’s mental health resulting in her being admitted. This would not be the case if Joe abstained from having a sexual relationship with his current supervisor. If the sexual pressure was too much,...