Ethical Case Studies
Mark Griffin
BHS 320: Ethics of Behavioral Health Science
Grand Canyon University
Laura Fite
Date
, Ethical Case Studies
Behavioral health professionals have a code in which they must abide by in order to
protect the welfare and respect the dignity of each and every patient that they serve. This code is
known as the ethical principles. They include autonomy, fidelity, beneficence, no maleficence,
justice, and honesty (Welfel, 2016). Autonomy ensures that a client has the power to choose,
fidelity guarantees the client is treated with integrity, beneficence and no maleficence safeguard
a client’s wellbeing, and lastly, honesty and justice ensure a client is treated with fairness and not
misled during treatment. The way in which these principles are approached are going to vary
with every case, but they all should still be followed.
In regard to the first case, the way in which these principles are approached may be
different from the case manager’s role versus the therapist’s. A case manager’s duty is ensuring
the client obtains any and all help they may need in order to reach their full potential. A client
that is showing worsening depression and a recently revealed eating disorder first and foremost
needs the principles of beneficence and no maleficence. Clearly this client’s well-being is at risk;
acknowledging this and providing them with immediate assistance and resources is a top
priority. However, resources should also be presented to the client in the form of several
different options; allowing the client to still have their autonomy. It is evident that this client has
been struggling for some time now, they are going to need all the reassurance and
acknowledgement that can be offered. This not only ensures they are being treated with fidelity,
but it allows for a trusting relationship to be built between the client and case manager. Which
leads into the principles of justice and honesty, these can be met through providing the client
with honest feedback, the risks and benefits of each resource, and utilizing integrity during any
discussion with the client. With
Mark Griffin
BHS 320: Ethics of Behavioral Health Science
Grand Canyon University
Laura Fite
Date
, Ethical Case Studies
Behavioral health professionals have a code in which they must abide by in order to
protect the welfare and respect the dignity of each and every patient that they serve. This code is
known as the ethical principles. They include autonomy, fidelity, beneficence, no maleficence,
justice, and honesty (Welfel, 2016). Autonomy ensures that a client has the power to choose,
fidelity guarantees the client is treated with integrity, beneficence and no maleficence safeguard
a client’s wellbeing, and lastly, honesty and justice ensure a client is treated with fairness and not
misled during treatment. The way in which these principles are approached are going to vary
with every case, but they all should still be followed.
In regard to the first case, the way in which these principles are approached may be
different from the case manager’s role versus the therapist’s. A case manager’s duty is ensuring
the client obtains any and all help they may need in order to reach their full potential. A client
that is showing worsening depression and a recently revealed eating disorder first and foremost
needs the principles of beneficence and no maleficence. Clearly this client’s well-being is at risk;
acknowledging this and providing them with immediate assistance and resources is a top
priority. However, resources should also be presented to the client in the form of several
different options; allowing the client to still have their autonomy. It is evident that this client has
been struggling for some time now, they are going to need all the reassurance and
acknowledgement that can be offered. This not only ensures they are being treated with fidelity,
but it allows for a trusting relationship to be built between the client and case manager. Which
leads into the principles of justice and honesty, these can be met through providing the client
with honest feedback, the risks and benefits of each resource, and utilizing integrity during any
discussion with the client. With
