Learning Objectives
- Define helping as a dynamic process, reflecting both artistry and a science.
- Describe the unique ethical responsibilities and roles of the professional helper within a helping relationship.
- Identify the salient characteristics of the effective helper and the degree to which you currently possess these characteristics.
- Identify the reciprocal roles and responsibilities of both the client and the helper in an ethical helping relationship.
- Discuss what is meant by the concept of cultural sensitivity.
- Describe the obligations incurred by a helper who has established a “special relationship” with a client.
- Explain what is meant by “duty to care” and what defines that obligation.
- Describe how licensure and/or certification may lend legal power to the professional codes of conduct.
- Provide examples of ethical practice that may be illegal and legal requirements that may violate professional code of ethics.
- Describe one model for identifying and resolving conflict between ethics and legality.
- Define what is meant by “system culture.”
- Discuss the impact of system culture on ethical decision-making.
- Identify possible points of ethical conflict when working in a managed care environment.
- Identify possible points of ethical conflict when working with third-party payees.
- Define informed consent as applied to a helping relationship.
- Explain the rationale and utility of gaining informed consent while working with a client.
- Identify the essential elements required to ensure informed consent.
- Discuss the special considerations and difficulties incurred while gaining informed consent working with minor and cognitively impaired clients.
- Describe what is meant by the terms confidentiality and privilege.
- Identify the conditions under which confidentiality and privilege should be breached.
- Discuss the conditions that need to exist for the Duty to Warn to be implemented.
- Describe the special challenges facing practitioners working with both minors and those with HIV/AIDS in regards to confidentiality.
- Describe what is meant by the concept of professional boundaries.
- Describe the difference between boundary violation and boundary crossing.
- Explain how simple identification and transference can interfere with the maintenance of professional boundaries.
- Describe what is meant by “dual” or “multiple” relationships.
- List questions for reflection that can guide a practitioner’s decisions regarding the ethics of dual relationship.
- Explain why sexual intimacy with a client is clearly a boundary violation.
- Describe what is meant by the term competence.
- Discuss the role of continuing education, ongoing supervision, and consultation in the ongoing development of professional competence.
- Describe the value of approaching practice from a reflective, action research orientation.
- Discuss the conditions under which referral would appear to be the most efficacious treatment decision.
- Describe legal considerations and concerns in relation to the issue of helper competence, standard of care, and treatment efficacy.
- Describe the benefits of utilizing a system of evaluation within one’s practice.
- Define the terms formative and summative evaluation.
- Describe one approach to measuring outcome and goal achievement.
- Identify the minimal records necessary for demonstrating competent, ethical practice.
Course Contents
- An Introduction to the Formal Process of Helping
- Helper Variables: What the Helper Brings to the Relationship
- Ethical Standards: Guidelines For Helping Others
- Ethics and the Law
- Ethical Conflicts: The System and the Interests of Others
- Informed Consent
- Confidentiality
- Boundaries and the Ethical Use of Power
- Efficacy of Treatment
- Evaluation and Accountability