Ethical Analysis of Two Case Studies in Counseling

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Critical Analysis/2 Case
Studies

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INTRODUCTION
Ethics refers to the discipline which is concerned with what is morally good and bad and
morally right and wrong as well. It is a branch of philosophy that involves defending, and
systematizing, and also recommends the concepts of right and wrong behavior. In this report,
two case studies are taken into consideration. The first case study talks about a person named
Vishal who came for counseling due to suicidal thoughts and depression. The main key issues
are related to depression, quality of life which is being degraded and somehow is linked to
suicidal tendencies (Bossaert & et.al., (2015). Another case study is about Rupinder who is
stressed about her dramatic household with her husband. This report will cover a discussion
about ethical principles and standards which are being violated. In addition to this, the report will
cover an analysis of different ethical theories to demonstrate the knowledge and the manner in
which the counselor proceeds to conform to the appropriate ethical principles and standards.
Moreover, the report will capture the methodology of referral or consultation that can be used as
part of the outcome.
MAIN BODY
Analyze the scenario in the context of ethical principles and standards that have been violated or
breached in a critical manner
Ethical principles and standards play a very significant role in terms of executing the outcome
positively. The importance of ethical standards leads to the right way to work which needs to be
accomplished within a set time. According to the scenario, Vishal is totally into a depressing
situation due to his mother's death and his father's demanding nature which has lead him into this
situation (McNaughton, D. (1988). He has also lost his job and has indulged into poor lifestyle
habits like prolonsg sleeping which is also one of the symptom of serious Depression..
According to ethical standards and principles it has been observed that his suicidal thoughts
towards life are wrong however this decision of him is due to very harsh situations in his life and
augmented way of working(Example of organisational ethics, 2022) He confessed to the
counselor that he does not want to die and also has faith in the therapeutic relationship. In
context to ethical standards, the principle of trust has worked for him as per the Psychotherapy
and Counseling Federation of Australia.

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As per the principle of beneficence and nonmaleficence which given by PACFA and its
the duty of the counselor to consider the welfare of the client and refrain him from taking any
action that harms him and the society in which they live (Eagleton, T. (2011). In context to the
Utilitarian perspective, it can be applied to the scenario with Vishal where his family members
and others would have got impacted with his decision and the larger society in terms of
determining the moral or ethical judgment of the action. Vishal due to his inconvenient situation
is acting against the moral law and going against their welfare by thinking to end his life.
The other scenario in next case study is about Rupinder who is stressed about their
household dramas with her husband according to her manager. In context to Welfel's ethical
decision model, a logical approach and consideration of empathy, culture, evidence-based
guidelines, active listening, and after referral or supervision if required is a good outline that
needed to be followed in such cases (Australian association of social workers, 2022). According
to the discussion withRupinder she has disagreed about her husband to get involved in the
counselling sessions because she does not want her husband to know about counseling which
she is taking from her organization as it can become abusive in terms of nature if he gets to
know about it.. In this scenario, she has used ethical sensitivity approach, but she could not reach
to a conclusive decision because the outcomes can vary from the different perspectives of
theories and principles. In the end, she decided to approach her supervisor to discuss the case.
In an overall way, it has been observed from both the case studies that they are not
following ethical standards when they were taking the wrong decision at the initial stage. Further
after discussion with their supervisor’s and counselor’s, they have reached to a conclusive
decision in a positive manner( Crisp(2015). Although it's not easy to tackle the situations
positively with all the patience and point of discussion they can handle the situation in a better
manner. From both these scenarios, it has been clear that ethical standards and principles can be
violated or breached negatively but up to a certain extent they can be controlled by taking
positive actions towards it.