Assignment: Addressing Ethical Issues
ANSWER
In the case study, the ethical dilemma centers on cultural factors in the therapeutic alliance, specifically as they relate to non-monogamy and the therapist’s values and beliefs. The following are the main problems:
Conflict of Personal Values and Beliefs: There may be an ethical problem when the therapist’s views on monogamy collide with the nature of the client’s relationships. The therapist’s prejudice may impact the standard of care given to the patients.
Respect for Diversity and Cultural Competence: Moral issues must be resolved regarding appreciating and comprehending the various cultural customs and beliefs. The clients’ non-monogamy is a legitimate relationship choice within specific cultural and relational frameworks. The therapist needs to be sensitive when navigating these cultural differences.
The therapist ought to think about taking the following actions to address these problems:
Self-Reflection and Awareness: The therapist should reflect on themselves to identify their own prejudices and beliefs towards monogamy and non-monogamy. To keep these biases from adversely impacting the therapeutic process, it is imperative to be aware of them.
Nonjudgmental and Culturally Competent Approach: When working with clients, the therapist should take a nonjudgmental and culturally competent approach. This entails appreciating the autonomy of the clients in determining the dynamics of their relationships and admitting that non-monogamy is a legitimate option for certain people.
Client-Centered Approach: The client’s needs, feelings, and objectives should come first for the therapist. The reasons for Nicole and Julia’s worries in this instance could have anything to do with the fact that they are not monogamous. Without imposing their values, the therapist ought to investigate these worries.
Professional Codes of Ethics: The therapist should refer to their field’s applicable code of ethics. These standards typically place a strong emphasis on preventing damage, fostering diversity and cultural competence, and honoring client autonomy. The therapist ought to behave according to these guidelines.
Consultation and Supervision: The therapist should seek supervision or consultation with a colleague or supervisor if they are still uncertain about their capacity to offer objective care. This can give them perspective and direction on handling moral dilemmas.
Use of the professional Code of Ethics to justify the responses:
Respect for Autonomy: When determining how to structure their relationship, the therapist should give their clients full autonomy. This is consistent with the ethical precept of empowering clients to make decisions for themselves (see, for example, the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics).
Cultural Competence and Diversity: The significance of cultural competence and diversity is emphasized by ethical codes in several helping professions. The therapist should support these values by honoring the clients’ cultural preferences and beliefs (see, for example, the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct).
Avoiding Harm and Beneficence: The therapist complies with ethical norms (such as the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics) by promoting the client’s well-being and avoiding harm by utilizing a nonjudgmental and client-centered approach.
Professional Boundaries: Therapists should refrain from forcing their personal beliefs on their clients and instead uphold professional boundaries. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Code of Ethics guarantees the ethical delivery of services.
In conclusion, self-awareness, cultural competency, client-centeredness, and adherence to professional codes of ethics are necessary to resolve the ethical concerns in this situation. The therapist’s main duty is to provide a welcoming, comfortable environment where clients can discuss relationship issues without fear of rejection or prejudice.
QUESTION
Description
Helping professionals often face difficult decisions in their work that may have ethical ramifications. Ethical dilemmas span all areas of your professional practice from confidentiality and privacy to cultural considerations. For this Assignment, you concentrate on cultural considerations that may pose challenges to ethical practice. (Culture is broadly defined here as the behaviors, traditions, and/or beliefs of any subgroup.) After analyzing the case study, consider how you might address the issues present using your professional practice code of ethics.
Case Study #2
Nicole and Julia explain to you that their relationship has felt strained lately and that they fear they are heading for a breakup. The couple explain to you that they have been in a long-term, non-monogamous relationship, but that lately, Nicole has expressed desire to change this practice. Julia feels that Nicole is “changing the rules halfway through the game” and that her sexual relationships with others are of no consequence to how she feels about Nicole. Their current relationship practice conflicts with your own personal opinion about the role of monogamy in relationships, and thus you feel conflicted about how to handle the situation.
The Assignment
- Describe the ethical issue(s) present in it.
- Explain how you would address each of these issues.
- Justify your response using the appropriate professional Code of Ethics.
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