Ethical Dillemma in Therapy
“In my research and at training workshops, I am interested in asking counsellors to identify ethical issues or dilemmas that arise in their work and how they resolve them. It has been my experience that counsellors generally draw upon a selection of six sources. These are: (1) personal ethics, (2) ethics implicit in therapeutic models, (3) agency policy, (4) professional codes, frameworks and guidelines, (5) moral philosophy and (6) law”. (Bond 2010, p40)
The purpose of this assignment is to discuss the ethical considerations within the therapeutic relationship by examining a dilemma through which these may best be demonstrated. The therapeutic relationship can be fraught with ethical issues which, if not addressed with care and consideration, could be the cause of great trauma and harm to the client’s emotional as well as physical wellbeing (Sanders, 2002). The responsibility of a counsellor is to behave ethically, and within the confines of any relevant agency policy, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) ethical framework guidelines and pertinent law and legislation, while taking into consideration their own ethics and morals, as well as the best interests of the client. Upon further exploration of ethics within a therapeutic context it becomes clear that in addition to making an informed choice based on an assessment of the relevant facts, part of the decision making process is founded on personal choice. The dilemma chosen is based on a story which appeared in the national newspapers in October 2011 (Appendix 1).
Person A is a 20 year old male who is attending counselling on a weekly basis. After several sessions he discloses that he is conducting an incestuous relationship with his sister, Person B, who is 17 years old. His parents are unaware of the sibling’s relationship.
The BACP provides a clear ethical framework intended to ensure good practice amongst its members (Appendix 2). The ethical principles required are fidelity,
The purpose of this assignment is to discuss the ethical considerations within the therapeutic relationship by examining a dilemma through which these may best be demonstrated. The therapeutic relationship can be fraught with ethical issues which, if not addressed with care and consideration, could be the cause of great trauma and harm to the client’s emotional as well as physical wellbeing (Sanders, 2002). The responsibility of a counsellor is to behave ethically, and within the confines of any relevant agency policy, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) ethical framework guidelines and pertinent law and legislation, while taking into consideration their own ethics and morals, as well as the best interests of the client. Upon further exploration of ethics within a therapeutic context it becomes clear that in addition to making an informed choice based on an assessment of the relevant facts, part of the decision making process is founded on personal choice. The dilemma chosen is based on a story which appeared in the national newspapers in October 2011 (Appendix 1).
Person A is a 20 year old male who is attending counselling on a weekly basis. After several sessions he discloses that he is conducting an incestuous relationship with his sister, Person B, who is 17 years old. His parents are unaware of the sibling’s relationship.
The BACP provides a clear ethical framework intended to ensure good practice amongst its members (Appendix 2). The ethical principles required are fidelity,
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