Ethical Dilemmas in Counselling: Case Studies and Decision Making

Running head: ETHICS
Ethics
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

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Assessment task 1:
Response for Case study 1:
The ethical dilemma in the case is that of conflict between autonomy and client safety.
The counsellor has the responsibility to take all reasonable steps to ensure that client does not
suffer any kind of harm during counselling session (Australian Counselling Association Code of
Ethics, 2012, Section 3.2 a). In this situation as Helen’s problem need long term therapy, taking
the decision to refer her to other therapy is part of responsibility towards client safety. However,
counsellors also have the responsibility to colleagues and others regarding respecting the
privacy, needs and autonomy of the client. Hence, if Helen’s wish is not kept, then this may
violate the ethical practice of respecting client’s autonomy. Counsellors are responsible to
respect client and encourage client’s ability to make decisions on their own in different context
(Australian Counselling Association-Code of Ethics and practice, 2012, section 3.3). Therefore,
going against Helen’s wish would lead to breach in code of conduct for counsellors.
Response for Case study 2:
The ethical dilemma in the case is related to confidentiality and client respect. During
exceptional circumstances, clients have the responsibility to ensure that any disclosure of
confidential information is conveyed only to appropriate people. Hence, it needs to be decided
whether Allan’s disclosure about stealing his father’s pain medication and being addicted to it
should be disclosed to his parents or not. The ethical consideration in this situation is to disclose
confidential information only to those persons who can alleviate exceptional circumstance and
achieve balance between acting the best interest of the client (Australian Counselling
Association-Code of Ethics and practice, 2012, section 3.6). It is also a part of their

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responsibility to other colleagues to respect the contract of confidentiality agreed with the client
(Australian Counselling Association-Code of Ethics and practice, 2012, section 3.2). Helen’s
information is disclosed to his parent, it may lead to breach in confidentiality of client and
Helen’s father may not have the capacity to keep the best interest of the client even if Helen’s
confidential information is disclosed to him.
Response to case study 3:
The ethical dilemma in this case is related to the counsellor’s awareness. The counsellor
has tried to question Donald about his wish to harm his wife’s alleged lover. However, by the sen
of session, the counsellor is unclear about Donald’s wishes. This ethical conflict is related to
code of ethics of anti-discriminatory practice which states that counsellors have the responsibility
that any problem with mutual comprehension due to language gap or any other issue should be
addressed at an early stage (Australian Counselling Association-Code of Ethics and practice,
2012, section 3.3c). Hence, in the scenario, if the counsellor has failed to comprehend Donald’s
future plan, it is necessary that he decides alternative course of action. The ethical dilemma is
also related to client safety as counsellors have the responsibility to protect client from emotion,
physical or psychological harm (Australian Counselling Association-Code of Ethics and practice,
2012, section 3.2).
Assessment task 2
1. Dilemma associated with the case study:
I find case study 3 related to Janet as the most challenging to work with because I would
struggle with the final decision due to conflict between ethical code of client autonomy and
beneficence. This is because Janet has been diagnosed with leukaemia and she wants to

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refuse her treatment based on religious ground. Though based on client’s autonomy right, she
has the right to make her own decision regarding treatment. However, as medical advice
suggest that Janet’s prognosis will be good if she proceeds with blood transfusion treatment.
Hence, allowing Janet to take her own decision would violate the ethical principle of
beneficence and cause harm to client. Therefore, I would struggle to decide whether final
treatment should be decided based on religious values or based on medical advice. The
concern of Janet’s husband and the well-being of her husband will also be important for me.
As I am not religious myself, it would very difficult for me to decide whether Janet should be
given the freedom to take decision based on religious values or not. I will have to consider
various options as well as ethical code of conduct to decide the best option for Janet. The
essay provides further details regarding the ethical dilemma and possible options that can be
taken.
2. Rational for the ethical dilemma to be challenging:
The ethical dilemma related to taking decision based on religious ground or medical ground
is challenging for me because it conflicts with my personal values as well as ethical code of
conduct too. For example, personally I am not very religious and I would never take such life
changing decision based on my religious values. Hence, understanding Janet’s decision to avoid
treatment based on religious ground might be difficult for me. However, I cannot oppose her
decision because based on ethical code of conduct in counselling, I have the responsibility to
respect the autonomy of the client. My professional code of conduct requires me to respect the
uniqueness of each individual and be sensitive to the cultural context of the client (Australian
Counselling Association-Code of Ethics and practice, 2012, section 3.2). Evidence suggest that
every patient have their own specific relationship with one or more religion and practitioners