According To The ASA Ethical Standards Of Ethics In Counseling
Jeff’s family and Ryan’s family have a long-term Friendship. They spend national holidays together, attend Sunday church together, and their children have frequent sleepovers. Ryan has a 15-year-old daughter, Lucy, who attends Central high school. Jeff (a high school counselor) just received a school transfer to Central High School, which he is excited about, mainly due to a pay increase.
On Jeff’s first day he is assigned his new students. One of which is Lucy (his best friend Ryan’s daughter). As Jeff is reading Lucy’s profile and history he discovers that Lucy has admitted to her previous counselor that she has been having suicidal thoughts and is depressed. In Jeff’s first meeting with Lucy, she confirms to Jeff her previous comments about …show more content…
her depression and suicidal thoughts. Lucy has never divulged her feelings to anyone else. Jeff, upon his first meeting with Lucy, is a little worried that Lucy won't feel comfortable telling her true feelings due to the nature of their families. However, Jeff is quick to ease her feelings of confidentiality. Lucy continues to specifically point out that she does not want Jeff to tell her Father or Mother about her feelings. Over a few weeks, Lucy’s behavior deteriorates. The suicidal thoughts are more frequent, and Lucy is adamant that her mom or dad just would not understand what she is feeling and does not want them to know.
Firstly Jeff is faced with a moral dilemma. His relationship with Lucy is more than just school counselor – student. He has hosted many game nights and sleepovers between his children with Lucy and her siblings. Jeff also has frequent contact with Ryan and his wife at church and other parties. They often sit around complaining/comparing their kids with each other. The opportunities are plentiful for Jeff to mention Lucy.
What should Jeff do?
Jeff feels morally obligated to tell Ryan about Lucy's feelings and thoughts.
However, He understands how fragile the line he must walk, as not to break lucy’s trust, rendering long-term damage Lucy might have to herself. He recalls the five ethical foundation values “placing the welfare of the client(s) as the professional’s highest priority.” (WELFEL “Ethics in Counseling and Psychotherapy P3).
Jeff could justify not telling Lucy’s parents. However, According to the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors Section A.9 serious and foreseeable harm to self and others: a. Reads: “school counselors: inform parents/guardians and/or appropriate authorities when a student poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self or others.” Lucy fits this description. Jeff did inform Lucy, that he has an ethical and legal duty to report any concerns of the self-harming nature to authorities. The ACSA continues in the above section stating that “unless it is appropriate to withhold this information to protect the students (e.g. Student might run away if he/she knows parents are being called). The consequence of the risk of not giving parents/guardians a chance to intervene on behalf of their child is too great. Even if the danger appears relatively remote, parents should be
notified.”
What should Jeff do then?
On Jeff’s first day he is assigned his new students. One of which is Lucy (his best friend Ryan’s daughter). As Jeff is reading Lucy’s profile and history he discovers that Lucy has admitted to her previous counselor that she has been having suicidal thoughts and is depressed. In Jeff’s first meeting with Lucy, she confirms to Jeff her previous comments about …show more content…
her depression and suicidal thoughts. Lucy has never divulged her feelings to anyone else. Jeff, upon his first meeting with Lucy, is a little worried that Lucy won't feel comfortable telling her true feelings due to the nature of their families. However, Jeff is quick to ease her feelings of confidentiality. Lucy continues to specifically point out that she does not want Jeff to tell her Father or Mother about her feelings. Over a few weeks, Lucy’s behavior deteriorates. The suicidal thoughts are more frequent, and Lucy is adamant that her mom or dad just would not understand what she is feeling and does not want them to know.
Firstly Jeff is faced with a moral dilemma. His relationship with Lucy is more than just school counselor – student. He has hosted many game nights and sleepovers between his children with Lucy and her siblings. Jeff also has frequent contact with Ryan and his wife at church and other parties. They often sit around complaining/comparing their kids with each other. The opportunities are plentiful for Jeff to mention Lucy.
What should Jeff do?
Jeff feels morally obligated to tell Ryan about Lucy's feelings and thoughts.
However, He understands how fragile the line he must walk, as not to break lucy’s trust, rendering long-term damage Lucy might have to herself. He recalls the five ethical foundation values “placing the welfare of the client(s) as the professional’s highest priority.” (WELFEL “Ethics in Counseling and Psychotherapy P3).
Jeff could justify not telling Lucy’s parents. However, According to the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors Section A.9 serious and foreseeable harm to self and others: a. Reads: “school counselors: inform parents/guardians and/or appropriate authorities when a student poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self or others.” Lucy fits this description. Jeff did inform Lucy, that he has an ethical and legal duty to report any concerns of the self-harming nature to authorities. The ACSA continues in the above section stating that “unless it is appropriate to withhold this information to protect the students (e.g. Student might run away if he/she knows parents are being called). The consequence of the risk of not giving parents/guardians a chance to intervene on behalf of their child is too great. Even if the danger appears relatively remote, parents should be
notified.”
What should Jeff do then?