Analysis of Ethical Decision-Making Models: Counselling Case Studies

This essay examines ethical decision-making models within a counselling context, utilizing the structure suggested by Steinman, McEnroe, and Richardson. The essay presents two case studies, each exploring ethical dilemmas faced by counsellors. Case Study A focuses on a private practitioner's ethical considerations when promoting their new business, addressing issues like advertising through a child's school newsletter and using coupon apps. It identifies potential conflicts of interest, ethical standards, relevant legislation, and the consequences for stakeholders, culminating in a proposed ethical resolution. Case Study B delves into a school counsellor's response to a 16-year-old client struggling with concentration, lateness, alcohol use, and a reluctance to disclose information to parents, highlighting the ethical challenges of confidentiality and the counsellor's responsibility to address these issues. The essay emphasizes the importance of ethical codes, principles, and guidelines in navigating complex situations and making informed decisions to protect both the client and the counsellor's professional integrity. The essay highlights the importance of ethical resolution and decision-making in professional practice and emphasizes the importance of ethical codes, principles, and guidelines in navigating complex situations and making informed decisions.

Focus is on an ethical decision-making model
using the structure suggested

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ESSAY.............................................................................................................................................1
Case Study A: What would an ethical counsellor do if they were in this position?...................1
Case Study B: How would an ethical counsellor address the ethical issues in this case?..........4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

ESSAY
Ethical decision-making models is useful in providing a significant mechanism for critical
thinking and effective planning for the resolution of ethical issues. The ethical model comprises
of ethical obligations, principles and values. This study will focus on examining the viewpoints
of the counsellors.
Case Study A: What would an ethical counsellor do if they were in this position?
Identify Potential Issues Involved
Private practitioner wants to promote their new business with the use of school newsletter of
her children. Practitioner will transform the spare room within their home in to a consulting suite
because this will offer financial flexibility (Lehnert, Park, & Singh, (2015)). Also, they will be
available home for their children after school. Additional advertising with the use of coupon app
which offers cut-rate counselling packages. However, the practitioner’s spouse has used coupon
app previously with great success. The key potential issues which are likely to be associated with
the promotion of the new business are related with the conflicts and disagreements, deceptive
promotion or advertising, delivery channels, deceptive ethics, anti- competitive practice, etc.
These are however referred to as one of the key relevant factor which affects the operations of
the new business at a considerate degree of level. This is not ethical to advertise the business
through child's school newsletter. However, this is an ethical issue.
The relevant ethical standards and/or principles involved
The ethical counsellor is considered to be as a person with set moral standards and
principles for the individual or a group. It is the key prominent duty of the ethical counsellor with
utmost degree of duty of care to its clients. As per the ethical decision-making model using the
structure suggested by Steinman, McEnroe and Richardson.
The code of conduct in promotion of new business must be accurate, ethical, balanced and must
not contain any sort of misleading information (Apriliani, Anggraini & Anwar, (2015)). The
code of ethics refrains a promoter to market or promote the business through false, unreliable and
any sort of immoral information. The key ethical principles and standards which must be used at
the time of promotion of the business is mainly linked with mutual respect, loyalty, honesty,
fairness, integrity, law abiding, trust-worthiness, concern for others, accountability,
responsibility and promise keeping. This is useful in carrying out an ethical and reliable business
practice with utmost accuracy and reliability.
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Legislation and other relevant guidelines to be considered
Objectivity: The ethical code of conduct of Australia is significant in effectively outlining the
ethical set of principles which leads to the better decision making. It helps in effectively handling
issues which are considered to be unethical. The business must effectively comply with the code
of ethics law of the Australia which is considered to be highly prominent in carrying out the
business in an ethical and utmost reliable manner (Nora, Deodato, Vieira & Zoboli, (2016)). This
ethical legislation helps in setting ethical moral principles according to which the promotion of
business must be done by the practitioner. Ethical guidelines and legislations are of utmost
importance because it is useful in setting correct set of rules to carry out the specific business
practice. It is the moral responsibility of the practitioner to carry out the business in a highly
significant and reliable manner. The key principles of the ethical guideline is that, the study
must be carried out with key relevance and beneficence.
Values: Complete autonomy and beneficence has been significantly maintained which tends to
largely leads to greater efficiency and accuracy. Also, communicating ethical set of principles
and providing protective set of mechanism is considered to be highly relevant which helps in
improving the business operations and leads to higher operational growth and standards of the
new business. As per the ethical decision-making model using the structure suggested by
Steinman, McEnroe and Richardson, the code of conduct guidelines are considered to be useful
in promoting the high degree of ethics within the business practice (Weir, (2020)).
Circumstances: The key ethical standards for the promotion of the new business is that to
effectively promote ethical values within the business which mainly includes trust, good ethical
behaviour, fairness, and kindness. Also communicating ethical expectations and examining the
value of the product is of utmost importance which leads to higher operational growth and
sustainability of the business. However, complying with the legal ethical laws, legislations,
guidelines and standards results in improved business efficiency and higher sustainable growth.
Insight into the possible consequences for key stakeholders in adopting preliminary response
outlined Practitioner: The private practitioner is going to be highly beneficial because they will
be benefited from carrying out their business for sustainably longer period of time.
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 Promoter: They expect the business to grow through their promotional ideas because it
will be useful in gaining high degree of commission and leads to improved growth. This
way it will be useful to carry out business operations.
 Ethical Counsellor: He is considered to be another prime key stakeholder who helps in
making sure that, the business is carried out with agreed level of accuracy and in ethical
compliance.
The key stakeholders of the company must always comply with the ethical laws and code of
practice. However, in case of any ethical dilemma all the ethical issues must be effectively
assessed using appropriate course of action (Cummins, Denney-Wilson & Homer, (2015)). The
practitioner will likely to be focus on effectively examining and evaluating the alternative course
of action and take necessary set of action.
Negative or bad promotion of the business is considered to be highly crucial and
beneficial because it leads to driving of the customers. It also results in the loss of the valuable
customers which can adversely hamper the business outcomes. Ethical misconduct tends to have
greater degree of consequences. It affects the reputation of the business and also results in the
lower credibility in the eyes of customers. All of these consequences are ethically defensible
which in turn largely affects the business operations.
Preparing ethical resolution which is clear and also defensible.
The ethical counsellor is considered to be of key relevance importance because it helps in
providing the best possible solution and focuses on carrying out the business in an ethical and
reliable manner. It is prominent in maximizing as well as also minimizing the risk of harm to the
business. In this specific case scenario, the ethical resolution has been provided by complying
with all the ethical code of conduct and the regulations (ETH2228 - SECTION 6: BEST
PRACTICE MODELS OF ETHICAL DECISION MAKING (PART 1), 2020). Preparing
alternative set of solutions is highly significant in the better attainment of the results and
outcomes. The ethical code of conduct and the Australian law of ethics is highly significant in
effectively evaluating the results and outcomes. Maintaining strong set of ethical behaviour
while carrying out the business is referred to as one of the most prominent measure which results
in providing the best possible ethical resolution. This way it leads to higher attainment of the
goals with utmost accuracy and efficiency. Also, building a corporate culture which results in
improved transparency, openness and communication at the time of promotion of the new
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business for the practitioner (Wheeler, (2019)). Progressing the audits and giving them proper
training is of utmost relevance because it improves the efficiency of the work. Also maintaining
high degree of ethical conduct and streamlining the process of the business at the time of
promotion is considered to be of utmost importance. However, the right course of action helps in
promoting and carrying out the new business in an ethical and reliable manner. Effectively
selecting the right alternative solution related with the ethical issue is considered to be highly
prominent. This way it helps in the better attainment of the results and outcomes. Moreover,
taking feedback is also one of the most prominent measure which leads to higher efficiency and
leads to greater set of results.
Identification of the key ethical problems with the help of appropriate business operations
is considered to be of key relevance to provide the best possible resolution to the problem.
Evaluating if this issue is a regulatory issue or the process issue which is linked with the
regulatory requirements. As per the ethical decision-making model using the structure suggested
by Steinman, McEnroe and Richardson, complying with the rules, guidelines, and other ethical
legislations helps in providing ethical resolution which is clear and is also defensible (Roche,
Laschinger, & Duffield, (2015). This leads to better growth and efficient operations for carrying
out and promotion of the new business. Ethical counsellor must provide the practitioner with the
best possible resolution to any consequence which affects the business operations. The
counsellor must always compare the issue with the specific rules and guidelines which leads to
better results and outcomes. The counsellor must also identify who is accountable and also
reliable to controlling and power of the specific situation. However, the ethical counsellor is
considered to be prominent in ethical decision making and must always be useful in selecting of
the right set of action to attain the better course of results and outcomes. This results in better
growth and efficient operations for better promotion of the new business in an ethical way.
Case Study B: How would an ethical counsellor address the ethical issues in this case?
The ethical counsellor will identify the main problem. This way it is useful in gaining
relevant data sets. School counsellor has been seeing a 16 year-old client with the history of
concentration difficulties within the classroom and also being continuously late for school. He
also arrives at the school looking messy and untidy. Student has also disclosed she has been
frequently involved in drinking alcohol on school holidays and weekends. Moreover, student
finds counselling sessions very supportive and helpful and also trusts the counsellor. Student has
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mentioned that, she doesn’t want her teachers and parents come across her drinking habit. In
case, if counsellor says anything, she will not continue with the counselling sessions if any such
questions has been asked further. The mother of the student calls counsellor to know what is
wrong with her daughter. As per the ethical decision-making model using the structure suggested
by Steinman, McEnroe and Richardson will be useful in taking appropriate set of decision. The
ethical counsellor will address the issue by complying with the code of ethics and relevant law.
This is useful in controlling the specific situation.
Identify Potential Issues Involved
The key potential issue which is mainly associated with this case study is that, the student
has been suffering from the concentration problem and looks messy and untidy. She has issues
related with the drinking problem and can adversely hamper the performance of the child within
the school.
The relevant ethical standards and/or principles involved
The key significant level of ethical standards and principles has to be effectively maintained
by the school counsellors by maintaining key relevant relationship with the students or clients.
He must counsel the student with high degree of integrity, professionalism and leadership. The
counsellor must always focus on effectively maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the
client in order to work in an ethical and reliable manner (Jonson, McGuire, & O’Neill, (2015)).
The key ethical principles and standards which must be used at the time of giving counselling to
the student is mainly linked with mutual respect, loyalty, honesty, fairness, integrity, law
abiding, trust-worthiness, concern for others, accountability, responsibility and promise keeping.
This is useful in carrying out an ethical and reliable practice at the time of giving counselling.
The counsellor must effectively comply with the ethical code of conduct and also comply with
the ethical principles and standards which in turn is significant in attaining the best possible
results and outcomes. It is considered to be of utmost importance that the ethical principles must
be maintained by the student within the school. It is useful in the attainment of the ethical
performance of the student within the school and live a healthy and prosperous life. Ethical
decision-making models is useful in providing a significant mechanism for critical thinking and
effective planning for the resolution of ethical issues. The ethical model comprises of ethical
obligations, principles and values. The students of the school must significantly focus on
complying with the ethical standards and principles to maintain autonomy, preventing harm,
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justice, truth, fidelity in order to maintain positive and ethical environment. The students,
teachers, and counsellors must work all together which helps in meeting the needs and
requirements of the student.
Legislation and other relevant guidelines to be considered
Objectivity: Code of ethics law of the Australia is highly prominent in carrying understanding
the behaviour of the students in an ethical and utmost reliable manner. This law is useful in
working in ethical and reliable manner and resolve issues. Code of ethics is useful in effectively
dealing with the ethical issues by effectively governing concerns related with the data privacy.
Values: The ethical code of conduct of Australia is significant in effectively outlining the ethical
set of principles which leads to the better decision making. It helps in effectively handling issues
which are considered to be unethical. It is useful in carrying out and performing activities which
is highly useful acting in an ethical and reliable manner. As per the ethical decision-making
model using the structure suggested by Steinman, McEnroe and Richardson, the ethical guideline
of the student within the school is that, complete autonomy must be maintained which has been
useful in living a better and prosperous life. New norms has been effectively developed which is
considered to be highly prominent in living a life with utmost degree of relevance and ethical
efficiency (Ferrell, & Fraedrich, (2015)).
Circumstances: The key ethical standards for the promotion of the new business is that to
effectively promote ethical values within the business which mainly includes trust, good ethical
behaviour, fairness, and kindness.
Insight into the possible consequences for key stakeholders in adopting preliminary response
outlined
Student counsellor: The student counsellor is going to be highly beneficial because they will be
making ethical decision to improve the results and outcomes. He will be prominent in giving the
best possible advice to the student in order to live a meaningful life ahead.
Student: She is the one who needs to effectively comply with the ethical rules of the school and
behave properly by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Parents: They are seeking help of the counsellor to seek improvement in their child and live life
full of moral values and ethnicity.
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As per the ethical decision-making model using the structure suggested by Steinman,
McEnroe and Richardson, there seems to be ethical trap which leads to the conflict within the
professional values. The ethical counsellor wants to help her with the drinking problems, but the
student denies and says she doesn’t want anybody to know about the drinking issue. As per the
ethical decision-making model using the structure suggested by Steinman, McEnroe and
Richardson, the ethical counsellor makes the student understand and give her a therapy which
helps her live a healthy and meaningful life. The ethical decision made by the ethical counsellor
will be highly significant and beneficial for the student as well as for the parents in order to live a
meaningful and prosperous life ahead. The code of ethics and the code of principles must be
relied effectively on a regular basis. This way it results in the better attainment of the results and
outcomes.
Preparing ethical resolution which is clear and also defensible
The appropriate course of action must be significantly used in order to provide the best
possible services and effectively comply with the ethical rules and standards. There must be
settlement of the conferences which must be considered to be very useful in proving the clear
and defensible. There must always be neutral set of evaluation which is relevant in carrying out
ethical range of practice by the student within the school. Ethical decision making
models provides a significant mechanism for critical thinking for the resolution of ethical issues.
As per the ethical decision-making model using the structure suggested by Steinman, McEnroe
and Richardson, the ethical model comprises of ethical obligations, principles and values. It takes
into consideration the parties who are affected and finds out the reason behind such activities.
Proper training and counselling session must be given to the student which helps in improving
her concentration level and with that it also helps in effectively reducing the consumption level
of alcohol. This is considered to be as one of the most clear and defensible way as per this case
study. The ethical counsellor must talk to the parents in order to bring her in control and leads to
greater efficiency and productivity. Giving her therapies which builds up her concentration level
and taking part in the brainstorming activities is considered to be a prominent action plan to live
a healthy and a prosperous life (Cummins, Denney-Wilson & Homer, (2015)). Teachers and
parents must engage in talking out with the student to understand the core problems which has
been faced by her. This is considered to be as one of the most ethical and reliable resolution to
improve the results and outcomes. Practising mindfulness and hanging out with the social group
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is considered to be useful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Giving counselling session is also
considered to be as one of the prominent way to provide ethical resolution associated with the
issue.
From the conducted study it has been summarized that, the ethical counsellor is considered
to be as a person with set moral standards and principles for the individual or a group. The key
ethical principles and standards which must be used at the time of promotion of the business is
mainly linked with mutual respect, loyalty, honesty, fairness, integrity, law abiding, trust-
worthiness, concern for others, accountability, responsibility and promise keeping.
Communicating ethical expectations and examining the value of the product is of utmost
importance. Ethical misconduct tends to have greater degree of consequences. Complying with
the rules, guidelines, and other ethical legislations helps in providing ethical resolution which is
clear and is also defensible.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Apriliani, D., Anggraini, R. Z., & Anwar, C. (2015). The effect of organization ethical culture
and ethical climate on ethical decision making of auditor with self efficacy as
moderating. Review of Integrative Business and Economics Research, 4(1), 226.
Cummins, A. M., Denney-Wilson, E., & Homer, C. S. E. (2015). The experiences of new
graduate midwives working in midwifery continuity of care models in
Australia. Midwifery, 31(4), 438-444.
Ferrell, O. C., & Fraedrich, J. (2015). Business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases. Nelson
Education.
Jonson, E. P., McGuire, L. M., & O’Neill, D. (2015). Teaching ethics to undergraduate business
students in Australia: Comparison of integrated and stand-alone approaches. Journal of
Business Ethics, 132(2), 477-491.
Lehnert, K., Park, Y. H., & Singh, N. (2015). Research note and review of the empirical ethical
decision-making literature: Boundary conditions and extensions. Journal of Business
Ethics, 129(1), 195-219.
Nora, C. R. D., Deodato, S., Vieira, M. M. D. S., & Zoboli, E. L. C. P. (2016). Elements and
strategies for ethical decision-making in nursing. Texto & Contexto-Enfermagem, 25(2).
Roche, M. A., Laschinger, H. K. S., & Duffield, C. (2015). Testing the nursing worklife model
in Canada and Australia: A multi-group comparison study. International journal of
nursing studies, 52(2), 525-534.
Weir, M. (2020). Law and ethics in complementary medicine: A handbook for practitioners in
Australia and New Zealand. Routledge.
Wheeler, A. (2019). A situated ethical analysis of child inclusive practices in five Relationships
Australia NSW Family Relationship Centres. A thesis in fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. School of Social Sciences. Sydney: The University
of of New South Wells, (s 30).
Online
ETH2228 - SECTION 6: BEST PRACTICE MODELS OF ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
(PART 1). 2020. [ONLINE]. Available through<
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