Common Ethical Violations
Presented by: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
Executive Director, AllCEUs
Continuing Education (CE) credits can be earned for this presentation at https://allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/614/c/
Objectives
~ Explore ethical guidelines with respect to
~ Multiculturalism
~ Confidentiality
~ Informed consent
~ Documentation
~ Discharge vs. Abandonment
Ethical Guidelines
~ Act in the best interests of the clients at all times. Act in good faith and in the absence of malice.
~ Inform clients of possible limitations on the counseling relationship prior to the beginning of the relationship.
~ Increase awareness of personal values, attitudes and beliefs; refer when personal characteristics hinder effectiveness.
~ Actively attempt to understand the diverse cultural backgrounds of the clients with whom you work, including your own cultural/ethnic/racial identity and its impact on your values and beliefs about the counseling process.
Ethical Guidelines
~ Function within the boundaries of personal competence. Be aware of personal skill levels and limitations.
~ Be able to fully explain why you do what you do.
~ Encourage family involvement, where possible, when working with minors in sensitive areas that might be controversial.
~ Follow written job descriptions. Be sure what you are doing is defined as an appropriate function in your work setting.
~ Read and adhere to the ethical standards of your profession.
Guidelines cont…
~ Consult with other professionals
~ Join appropriate professional associations. Read association publications and participate in professional development opportunities.
~ Stay up-to-date with laws and current court rulings, particularly those pertaining to
~ Counseling with minors
~ Handing suicidal/homicidal clients
~ HIV
~ Consult with a knowledgeable attorney, when necessary
Guidelines cont…
~ Join appropriate professional associations. Read association publications and participate in professional development opportunities.
~ Stay up-to-date with laws and current court rulings, particularly those pertaining to counseling with minors, handing suicidal/homicidal clients, HIV.
~ Consult with a knowledgeable attorney, when necessary
http://www.tennlegal.com/files/430/File/Statistics_of_Ethical_Violations.pdf
APA’s Tips to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls
~ Understand what constitutes a multiple relationship
~ Whose needs are being served?
~ Is the client being exploited?
~ Protect Confidentiality
~ Discuss limits
~ Ensure safe storage of records
~ Know federal and state law is there a law requiring disclosure?
~ Obey mandatory reporting laws
APA’s Tips to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls
~ Obtain informed consent at the start of treatment
~ Type of treatment to be provided and alternatives
~ Cost and expected duration of treatment
~ Confidentiality
~ Identify your client and role
~ Understand who you were hired to help and what is expected of you
~ Document properly
~ Guidelines at www.apa.org/practice/recordkeeping.html
~ Practice only where you have expertise
Ethical Documentation
~ Some specifics to include in documenting therapeutic interactions, according to the guidelines and ethics experts:
~ Identifying information and first contact.
~ Relevant history and risk factors, medical status and attempts to get prior treatment records.
~ Dates of service and fees.
~ Diagnostic impressions, assessments, treatment plans, consultation, summary and supporting data, and progress notes. Include not only the treatments chosen, but treatments considered and rejected.
Ethical Documentation
~ Some specifics to include in documenting therapeutic interactions, according to the guidelines and ethics experts:
~ Informed-consent documentation, consent to audiotape or videotape
~ Release of information and documentation of any releases
~ Relevant telephone calls and out-of-office contacts.
~ Follow-up efforts when clients “drop out of sight.”
~ Details necessary so another provider could take over in your absence.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/jan03/10ways.aspx
APA’s Tips to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls
~ Know the difference between abandonment and termination
~ Treatment can be discontinued when clients:
~ Are not benefiting from treatment
~ May be harmed by treatment
~ No longer need therapy
~ Threaten the counselor
~ Pre-termination counseling involve the client in the process. Discharge planning begins at admission
~ Abandonment is when
~ The client drops out of treatment and the therapist doesn’t follow up
~ The therapist “discharges” the client without appropriate referrals
APA’s Tips to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls
~ Stick to the evidence when giving an expert opinion, conducting an assessment or documenting
~ Identify what you know and do not know
Summary
~ Ethics involves constant awareness of the clinician’s own motivations and attention to the client’s best interest
~ Effective documentation can eliminate many sources of confusion at the beginning and can support a clinician in a legal situation
~ Annually read any changes to your state statutes to ensure you are not violating any legal and ethical dictates
~ When in doubt, consult other professionals, ethics committees and/or your attorney