Ethical Issues In Human Services Organizations

Building an Ethical Organization Part 1
Tonia M Woods
HSM/230 Ethical Issues in Human Services Organizations
October 19, 2014
Kristin Gage

Building an Ethical Organization Part 1 The following counseling center description is a fictitious organization which has been modeled as if I were the director. The organization description provides for a mission statement and values statement which blueprints the ethical development of the organization. I have further modeled this organization on psychological and behavioral theories in the hope to avoid moral implications that may be inherent to organizations that utilize other therapeutic models. In specific, I have rejected the use of Christian based counseling services as their theological
involvement which tends to place moral overtones on patient behavior. As well, I rejected twelve step methodologies as they are fundamentally religious in nature and this may interfere with the patient’s autonomy in seeking solutions (Wilson, 2001).
Ethical Organization Baltimore Counseling Partners (BCP) was established to provide effective and convenient counseling services to the Baltimore area, for individuals and families.
BCP is a for profit organization that operates on a sliding scale payment system. The BCP has flexible payment programs and accepts most forms of insurances in hopes of reaching the widest range of individuals possible. It is the goal of the BCP to provide counseling for any of the following problems; drug addiction problems, relationship difficulties, trauma, sexual difficulties, parenting challenges, family stress, depression, anxiety, procrastination, death, relationship loss, unemployment, ADD/ADHD, chronic pain/illnesses, school issues, adolescent issues, phobias, and legal problems. BCP employs the counseling method of guided self-assessment. Through this method BCP attempts to identify life adjustment problems, personal conflicts, relationship issues, behavioral problems, family conflicts, self-identity issues, emotional problems, and/or life stage development issues that are interfering with overall quality of life. The exploration and identification of the origins and causes of these issues, both psychologically and factually, is of extreme importance to BCP’s therapy model (CBT,
2009). The BCP therapy model is designed with the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This form of therapy is based on the belief that many unhealthy forms of thinking and behavior have been learned over a long period of time. Using a set of structured techniques, a BCP therapist attempts to identify thinking that causes negative feelings and behavior. The client then learns to modify this thinking which, in turn, develops into more appropriate and positive responses (CBT, 2009). The goal of therapy also includes the development of a plan for change to resolve these personal issues. The plan for personal change will include behavioral as well as psychic changes that allow an individual to adopt new reactions and healthy responses to life’s situations. The assistance in creating and implementing the necessary personal life changes will be achieved through coaching, psychological education, and emotional support (CBT, 2009). BCP respects a client’s right to autonomous therapy and choice of self-improvement.
Therefore, BCP rejects the use of Christian and twelve step based methodologies. BCP neither uses nor promotes the use of these methodologies, as these programs are spiritually based. The spiritual basis of these programs demands a certain level of religious adherence. BCP feels that the demand to conform to any religious doctrine, no matter how innocuous, would detract from the freedom of the client to seek a therapy of his or her choosing. Should a patient wish to attend twelve step programs in conjunction with therapy at BCP this is his or her choice (Wilson,
2001). The BCP mission is, ‘Baltimore Counseling Partners is a psychological counseling system, which is dedicated to the improvement of quality of life in communities and individuals. To this end the BCP serves the mental health needs of individuals, families and organizations, with the greatest degree of professionalism possible. The BCP mission provides the ethical basis for BCP actions. The BCP is dedicated to the privacy of an individual. It is the BCP’s belief that improvement cannot take place in an environment that lacks open communication. Therefore, privacy becomes the center and foundation of BCP’s ethics. Second, that that needs of the individual client come first and BCP will attempt to provide the highest quality and the greatest degree of autonomy for the client to seek self-improvement. These ethical concepts provide the basis for the BCP mission statement and provides for the construction of the BCP’s value statement; For individuals who value professional excellence and personal attention, and are seeking to improve their lives or aspects of their lives that requires counseling and psychological attention, Baltimore Counseling Partners provides the highest quality of service. BCP assists clients in the development of a complete program for self-improvement and personal growth in an environment that is always client-centered, open, and with a strong sense of privacy. The mission statement and value statements support the organization’s strong ethical stance by focusing the values on privacy and patient commitment. This support also provides the community with a message that those whom need help can find it and feel comfortable with discussing personal issues. The sense of comfort and security the community derives from the mission and values is a necessary component for therapy to work. The creation of an honest and open environment for communication is necessary for individual success (Cade and Southgate, 1979). The need for personal comfort and trust cannot be overstated in the need for therapy. Individuals needing therapy generally have a difficult time discussing problems and when they cannot be honest, resolutions cannot be found (Cade and Southgate, 1979). In an overwhelming number of cases in which patients relapsed or continued to become worse, a majority of these instances were cases where there was a lack of honesty between the client and professional (Cade and Southgate, 1979). Through the mission and value centered approach Baltimore Counseling Partners will be able to build a reputable and ethical organization. As well community goodwill and trust can be achieved through the adherence to the mission and values. This will make the Baltimore Counseling Partners an organization in which people feel comfortable and safe to discuss their issues.

REFERENCES

CBT, (2009, November 19). Autonomy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.autonomytherapy.co.uk/CBTTherapy/WhatIsCBTTherapy.html
Cade, B. and Southgate, P. (1979), Honesty is the best policy. Journal of Family Therapy, 1: 23–31.
Galanter, M. (2008). Spirituality, Evidence-Based Medicine, and Alcoholics Anonymous. The American Journal of Psychiatry. Vol. 165, 1514.
Magus, (2009, November 19). Value statements. Retrieved from http://magusconsultingcom.web29.winsvr.net/Capabilities
Wilson, W (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous. New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.