ACA Code Of Ethics Case Study

Counselors’ insensitivity toward gay people: Consequences and how to avoid it

All professionals in the health field are governed by codes of ethics. These codes exist to well protect the welfare of the patient or client; but also to safeguard professionals of possible legal actions against them. Ethical codes should to be followed to the letter. In the area of psychological counseling, ethical dilemmas, consequences, responsibilities, and solutions should be considered prior to events take place; anticipation is fundamental, (Kottler, & Shepard, 2011). Ethical decision making for counselors is an ongoing process acquired by learning, experience, and maturation. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility of infringements to codes of ethics
due to numerous reasons: incompetence, ignorance, insensibility, misinformation, irresponsibility, revenge, lack of boundaries, and tendency to over share, (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). The aim of this paper is to present lack of insensitivity toward homosexuality as an unethical decision making among counselors, its consequences, and how to possible to avoid this practice.

The reasons some counselors in the area of counseling fall into insensitivity is usually due to insufficient regard to the needs, feelings, and occasionally overlooking the rights and/or the welfare of those who they serve. Other motives involve lack of empathy, need of being in control, excessive exertions to implement their dogmas or philosophies, and prejudices against certain groups of people. Insensitivity is usually ignored as an unethical issue, (Koocher & Keith-Spiegel, 2008). Insensitivity towards clients’ homosexual orientation constitutes an obstacle in counseling that can affect adversely their recovery. Professionals become more vulnerable to cross insensitivity boundaries when they resort to inappropriate sources of guidance. Some counselors believe that religion and spirituality of clients should be excluded from their interventions leaving this responsibility to pastors or church leaders thereof, (Rheta, Engels, & Thweatt, 2006). However, other counselors are adamant trying to impose their philosophical ideologies or religious dogmas without considering their clients wellbeing.

Regardless of their own beliefs, counselors are called to empathize, make an effort to understand client’s perspectives and values, accept differences between his/her client, and foster spiritual growth that favors the client.
According to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, clients’ welfare, respect, worth, dignity, uniqueness, and potential are primary accountabilities of counselors, (Kocet, 2006; Rheta et al., 2006). In these times where laws support the lawful union of two persons of the same gender, several counseling internship students have been in the midst of legal disputes for refusing to serve persons of homosexual orientation. The ACA code of ethics clearly states that counselors must not discriminate on grounds of sex, color, ethnicity, culture, disability, sexual orientation, or economic status. Furthermore, the 2005 revision of this document additionally states that counselors must not discriminate on spiritual beliefs, language preference, and neither marital status regardless of partnership, (Kocet,
2006).

Inappropriate sources of guidance are an ethical issue when the laws seem to be contradictory. On one hand we have clients complaining of lack of sensibility; conversely, future counselors argue that their freedom of religion is being alibi. So the question is: how do counselors should deal with this dilemma. Nonetheless, counselors who take a negative attitude towards homosexual people may be subject to have legal and ethical implications. Following I mention some strategies to counter the insensitivity among counselors toward homosexuals.

First, counselors should be sympathetic to all people who require their services.
This does not imply a change of mindset, but to make an effort to look at the human being with transparency. Second, counselors should reflect their moral values and/or religious beliefs, including their own biases and look at how they can put them aside to foster a healthy counseling relationship. Third, not to judge, when counselors values are different from those of their clients, they must be transitorily opened and maintain curiosity of their clients’ points of view, (Kottler, & Shepard, 2011). Fourth, counselors should be vigilant that they will not hurt their clients by making comments or recommendations that are contrary to what they believe. Fifth, counselors must show professionalism at all times; they must remember that the clients’ welfare goes above their values, (Kocet, 2006; Rheta et al.,
2006).

In conclusion, not all problems faced by counselors are mentioned in detail in the code of ethics that governs them. It is recommended that those who begin to embark in this profession of counseling, and those who are not very experienced, consult with colleagues who have more time in the field and/or their supervisors before taking drastic measures that could affect their careers. Counselors should be aware that they are not alone and that there are many colleagues who are willing to help them to be effective in their practices. Resolving dilemmas of personal nature requires commitment and questioning one's owns motives and behaviors, (Kocet, 2006). Psychologists in the area of counseling are called to be more tolerant than the rest of the population.