Ethical Decision Making
Ethical Decision Making Models
Ethical Decision Making Models
As a counselor it is common to come across certain issues that make you question whether you are making the right decision or not. Many counselors have methods they use when they are faced with these challenges, but how does one decide which method is fit for them. Counselors must make sound ethical decisions but, often, determining the appropriate course to take when confronted with difficult ethical dilemmas can be a challenge (Forester-Miller &Davis 2001). Ethical decisions making plays a major role in the counseling profession, because the counselor becomes responsible for everything the client does ethically and legally.
Forester- Miller, Davis, and Corey have very similar decisions making models. Forester-Miller and Davis came up with a seven-step decision making model that focused on the ethical problem and the consequences that may come about while trying to work through it. The Steps are, identify the problem, apply to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma, generate a potential course of action, consider potential consequences and determine a course of action, evaluate the selected course of action, and implement the course of action. A group of licensed professional counselors were surveyed in 2000 on what decision making model they preferred using when dealing with clients. 61.9 percent of counselors chose the Forester-Mill and Davis’s model (Elwyn, Gray, & Clarke, 2000). It is clear that this model has evolved into one of the top choices for counselors when dealing with ethical issues and clients.
Corey however came up with his decision making model based on eight steps. Identify the problem, identify the potential issues involved, review relevant ethical guidelines, know relaxant laws and regulations, obtain consultation, consider possible and probably course of action, list consequences of the
Ethical Decision Making Models
As a counselor it is common to come across certain issues that make you question whether you are making the right decision or not. Many counselors have methods they use when they are faced with these challenges, but how does one decide which method is fit for them. Counselors must make sound ethical decisions but, often, determining the appropriate course to take when confronted with difficult ethical dilemmas can be a challenge (Forester-Miller &Davis 2001). Ethical decisions making plays a major role in the counseling profession, because the counselor becomes responsible for everything the client does ethically and legally.
Forester- Miller, Davis, and Corey have very similar decisions making models. Forester-Miller and Davis came up with a seven-step decision making model that focused on the ethical problem and the consequences that may come about while trying to work through it. The Steps are, identify the problem, apply to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma, generate a potential course of action, consider potential consequences and determine a course of action, evaluate the selected course of action, and implement the course of action. A group of licensed professional counselors were surveyed in 2000 on what decision making model they preferred using when dealing with clients. 61.9 percent of counselors chose the Forester-Mill and Davis’s model (Elwyn, Gray, & Clarke, 2000). It is clear that this model has evolved into one of the top choices for counselors when dealing with ethical issues and clients.
Corey however came up with his decision making model based on eight steps. Identify the problem, identify the potential issues involved, review relevant ethical guidelines, know relaxant laws and regulations, obtain consultation, consider possible and probably course of action, list consequences of the
References: Elwyn, G., Gray, J., & Clarke, A. (2000). Shared decision making and non-directiveness in genetic counseling. Journal of Medical Genetics, 37(2), 135-138. Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. (2001). A practitioners guide to ethical decision making. American Counseling Association, 5(12), 267-281 Knapp, S. & VandeCreek, L. (2006). Practical ethics for psychologists: A positive approach. Washington D.C., American Psychological Association. .