Sociology Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas and the ABCD Model

This sociology case study examines an ethical dilemma faced by a counselor, Quentin, who encounters his client, Jennifer, and her husband in a social setting. The dilemma arises from Jennifer's desire to keep her counseling a secret from her husband, forcing Quentin to balance authenticity and...Read More

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
The term ethical dilemma refers to the decision making issue that takes place between
two possible moral imperatives, neither of which acceptable or preferable unambiguously. This
complexity takes place from a conflicting situation where obeying one will result in
transgressing another. When it comes to training of mental health councillors, ethical decision
making is a highly crucial aspect of the training. According to researchers, in this era,
counselling professional practices in an increasingly complex world. In any counselling settings,
high potential of arrival of difficult situation is there (Kolay Akfert, 2012). Hence in order to
avoid any kind of ethical as well as legal obligations, councillors are expected to engage in a
carefully considered decision making process. In this report, analysis of a given scenario will be
performed with the help of the ABCD Model. Along with this reason for using the mentioned
EDM model as well as discussion of strength and weakness of the same will also be performed
in this report.
Discussion
Identification of the Ethical dilemma
Quentin has been treating his client Jennifer since 2 months. He met her in a social setting.
However conspiring the fact that that the treatment of Jennifer is confidential, Quentin wanted to
avoid conversing with her in a public place. However Jennifer approached him and while both of
them were in a conversation, Jennifer’s husband approached and asked innocently how they
know about each other (Adeusi, 2018). Since Quentin were aware of the fact that Jennifer’
counselling is secret and her husband is not aware of the same, it became an ethical dilemma for
Quentin to be authentic as well as maintain the confidentiality of his client simultaneously.

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1. How the client’s Autonomy impacted?
Autonomy is defined as the ability of the patient to make their own choice and decision about
the medical care and the treatment received by them. In case Quentin discloses his actual identity
in front of Jenifer’s husband, the autonomy of Jenifer will be impacted.
2. Are there any safety needs to be addressed?
It is highly crucial for both the client as well as the counsellor to take actions so that the
confidentiality of the former can be maintained (Laletas, 2018). In case the confidentiality gets
broken, it may become unsafe or risky for Jennifer to continue her treatment.
3. What is the best choice of action for the here and now?
According to American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, Section B, B.1.c, counselors
are entitled to maintain the confidentiality of the client (Sivis-Cetinkaya, 2015). Hence in order
to deal with the mentioned situation, Quentin should lie to Jennifer’s husband about his identity.
This will not only help Quentin to maintain the confidentially of his client but will also enhance
his client’s trust on him that in turn will facilitate Jennifer’s recovery.
4. What could Quentin have done prior to this encounter to prepare himself and his
client?
Since Quentin was aware of the fact that Jenifer want to keep her treatment secret from her
husband, he could have discussed the importance of avoiding each other in social settings. He
should also mention the risk Jennifer may face in such cases.

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Implication of ABCDE ethical decision making Model
In order to solve the ethical dilemma mentioned above, in this paragraph, ethical decision
making model has been used.
A-assessment: This section is comprised of factors that led to the ethical dilemma (Kolay Akfert,
2012). The chief factor that led to the ethical dilemma is the action of Jenifer to approach his
counsellor Quentin in a public setting and in the presence of her husband from whom she wants
to keep her treatment secret.
B-benefits: For Quentin the benefit of maintain confidentiality is able to preserve his personal as
well as professional reputation along with maintaining the confidentiality of the client (Çerkez et
al., 2018). When it comes to benefit of the client, that is Jennifer, she will be able to continue her
counselling process as well as her relationship (Sivis-Cetinkaya, 2015).
C-consequences and consultation: this section involves assessment of consequences, be it legal,
ethical or therapeutic. In case, Quentin breaks the loyalty of his client and tells her husband the
truth, he will fall under legal issues for breaking his client’s confidentiality. Moreover, Jennifer
will lose trust on her counsellor and this in turn will hamper her treatment. On the other hand, if
Quentin lies to her husband to keep his identity secret, he will be able to maintain his
professional duty of maintaining his client’s confidentiality as a counsellor. Moreover, the trust
of his client on him will increase.
D-duty: This section suggests counsellors ask themselves to whom they owe a duty (Isaac,
2016). As a counsellor, Quentin’s first duty is to maintain the confidentiality of his client
Jennifer. Hence, he should not reveal his actual identity in front of Jennifer’s husband.

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E-education: Quentin must be aware of all the ACA codes and implement the same while
practicing his profession. According to ACA Codes Section B, Counsellors must maintain the
confidentiality off the client and communicate the concept n an ongoing basis and do so in a
culturally sensitive way.
Consequences of the ethical decision
The chief consequence of this ethical decision is that Quentin will be able to maintain his
duty of preserving the confidentiality of his client Jennifer. This action of Quentin will also help
him to develop an effective bond with his client and enhance the trust of his client. This in turn
will facilitate the treatment.
Strength and weakness of the ABCDE EDM
The major strength of the BCDE model is that it helps the counsellor to make ethical
decision based on the cultural value of the clients (Çerkez et al., 2018). However, the uniform
process of decision making may create a difficulty for complex ethical issues.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that, as a counsellor, Quentin should
maintain the confidentiality of his client Jennifer and hide his original identity from her husband.
Maintaining confidentiality will allow free flow of information between the client and the
councillor.

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Reference List
Adeusi, S. O. (2018). Roles and Importance of Ethics in the Counseling Profession. In Ensuring
Research Integrity and the Ethical Management of Data (pp. 98-111). IGI Global.
Çerkez, Y., Manyeruke, G., Oduwaye, O., & Shimave, S. (2018). Ethical issues in counseling: a
trend analysis. Quality & Quantity, 52(1), 223-233.
Isaac, R. (2016). The Ethical Private Practitioner. In Ethical Issues in Counselling and
Psychotherapy Practice (pp. 19-36). Springer, Singapore.
Kolay Akfert, S. (2012). Ethical Dilemmas Experienced by Psychological Counsellors Working
at Different Institutions and Their Attitudes and Behaviours as a Response to These
Dilemmas. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 12(3), 1806-1812.
Laletas, S. (2018). Ethical decision making for professional school counsellors: use of practice-
based models in secondary school settings. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling,
1-9.
Sivis-Cetinkaya, R. (2015). Ethical dilemmas of Turkish counsellors: a critical incidents
study. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 43(4), 476-491.