This article discusses the ethical and legal issues in counseling, including dual relationships and discrimination. It also explores color-blind racial attitudes and ethnic identity development. Strategies for promoting client development from marginalized groups are also discussed.
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Running head: ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation
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ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING2 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counselling There are several concerns that I have about engaging family counselling. One of these is the issue of dual relationships. Although there are ethical codes of conduct regarding this, it is still a challenge to establish a helping relationship where dual relationships exist (Southern, Smith and Oliver, 2005). It is therefore wise to ensure that only the helping relationship exist between the counsellor and the client(s). The other main concern that I have concerning family counselling is identifying the individual who is the problem. Naturally, people will tend to blame others for their misfortunes. Rarely will a person agree that there is a negative aspect about them. As a family counsellor, one has to be very careful to ensure that all the appropriate sides are listened to and helped accordingly. It is unethical to discriminate against a person who has not wronged or breached any social norm. As a group facilitator, I would not feel guilty if I dismissed an individual from the group when they have not done any wrong. Ethical practice calls for non-discrimination (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2019). However, sometimes the best measure would be to dismiss an individual from a group. For instance, in situations where an individual wreaks havoc in the group and does not intend to change their behaviour, then the best thing to do is to dismiss. Colour blind racial attitudes refer to the denial of the existence of racism. In the United States, color-blind racial attitudes are not only common but widespread (Chao, Wei, Good and Flores, 2011). Racism has been practiced for so long that it has almost become like a social norm. When people live in a state of denial, it is hard for them to come from the situation that they are in. It is analogous to a situation where one is neither cold nor hot. It is only when one decides to face the reality that they can come out of denial and overcome the presenting challenges. I have interacted with individuals who do not seem to be aware of their
ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING3 racism behaviors. I have always tried to make them aware of their behaviors with varying levels of success. Ethnic identity development is a term that broadly refers to personalised experience of belonging to an ethnic group (Hays and Erford, 2017). Cultural competence model explains the different steps of acquiring ethnic identity development. The first step is valuing diversity. A person who appreciates diversity respects people from different ethnic, cultural and racial backgrounds. The second step is doing some cultural assessment. When in a different place or organization, it is important to assess the culture of that place. The last two steps are accepting cultural knowledge and adapting to diversity. Adapting cultural knowledge refers to the quality of appreciating that others cultures may be different from one’s own. Adapting refers to changing culture according to new environments. There are several ways in which application of this model might help me in working with clients who are different than me. It will help me interact with these clients in a culturally acceptable way. While interacting with a client from a different cultural background, doing some assessment of their culture means that I will be more familiar with it. After familiarizing with the culture, the next steps should be accepting it and adapting to it. Adapting to a client’s culture means that they will feel freer to interact with me. A strategy is very important in any undertaking. It is said that a plan can only fail if the strategy was wrong. When the strategy is right, the chances of a plan becoming successful are almost 100% (Gelso, Nutt and Fretz, 2014). There are several strategies that can be used to promote client development from marginalized groups. One of the best strategies is to learn the culture of the marginalized people. Learning every aspect of the culture may not be realistic. However, knowing some aspects of the culture would greatly help. People tend to be more receptive and friendlier to people who acknowledge their culture. Due to this, learning some aspect of culture is a great move. Music would also be a great way of promoting client
ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING4 development from marginalized groups. Advocating for clients could be done through such means as ensuring that one is empathetic and ensures confidentiality.
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ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING5 References American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2019).Code of Ethics.Retrieved from https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx Chao, R. C. L., Wei, M., Good, G. E., & Flores, L. Y. (2011). Race/ethnicity, color-blind racial attitudes, and multicultural counseling competence: the moderating effects of multicultural counseling training.Journal of counseling psychology,58(1), 72. Gelso, C. J., Nutt Williams, E., & Fretz, B. R. (2014).Counseling psychology. American Psychological Association. Hays, D. G., & Erford, B. T. (2017).Developing multicultural counseling competence. Pearson. Southern, S., Smith, R. L., & Oliver, M. (2005).Marriage and family counseling: Ethics in context.The Family Journal,13(4), 459-466.