Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
David Puckett
Lamar University
CNDV 5322
Brande Flamez
March 15, 2024
, Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical dilemmas are a source of complex challenges among professionals in the
psychology field. Interactions with clients may present situations where counselors are
compelled to make decisions entailing multiple options with conflicting moral obligations.
Usually, the moral obligations in the possibilities involved in ethical dilemmas do not override
each other. Ethical decision-making models guide counselors in making appropriate decisions
when faced with ethical dilemmas. These models contain step-by-step processes that drive
counselors to face dilemmas in their practice line. Additionally, the American Counselling
Association (ACA) code of ethics provides guidelines on approaching and solving various
ethical issues in psychological practice. In this paper, the author describes an example ethical
dilemma scenario and an appropriate decision-making model for solving the problem. The author
analyzes the ethical dilemma by examining the ACA code of ethics, federal and state regulations,
and multicultural client-specific considerations.
Importance of Ethical Decision-Making Models
Ethical decision-making models are vital in solving ethical dilemmas in counseling
practice. Ethical dilemmas, by definition, are complex to solve. Counselors require sufficient
support and guidance in solving ethical dilemmas. Ethical decision-making models
comprehensively analyze presenting scenarios (Remely & Herlihy, 2020). Subsequently, these
models facilitate counselors in making professional and legally sound decisions. Consider the
guidance of ethical decision-making models to avoid making unprofessional decisions when
faced with ethical dilemmas. Additionally, counselors may make illegal decisions when purely
relying on their intuition in solving all ethical choices. Also, failure to consult ethical decision-
making models risks making decisions that result in the most harm to the clients (Remely &
David Puckett
Lamar University
CNDV 5322
Brande Flamez
March 15, 2024
, Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical dilemmas are a source of complex challenges among professionals in the
psychology field. Interactions with clients may present situations where counselors are
compelled to make decisions entailing multiple options with conflicting moral obligations.
Usually, the moral obligations in the possibilities involved in ethical dilemmas do not override
each other. Ethical decision-making models guide counselors in making appropriate decisions
when faced with ethical dilemmas. These models contain step-by-step processes that drive
counselors to face dilemmas in their practice line. Additionally, the American Counselling
Association (ACA) code of ethics provides guidelines on approaching and solving various
ethical issues in psychological practice. In this paper, the author describes an example ethical
dilemma scenario and an appropriate decision-making model for solving the problem. The author
analyzes the ethical dilemma by examining the ACA code of ethics, federal and state regulations,
and multicultural client-specific considerations.
Importance of Ethical Decision-Making Models
Ethical decision-making models are vital in solving ethical dilemmas in counseling
practice. Ethical dilemmas, by definition, are complex to solve. Counselors require sufficient
support and guidance in solving ethical dilemmas. Ethical decision-making models
comprehensively analyze presenting scenarios (Remely & Herlihy, 2020). Subsequently, these
models facilitate counselors in making professional and legally sound decisions. Consider the
guidance of ethical decision-making models to avoid making unprofessional decisions when
faced with ethical dilemmas. Additionally, counselors may make illegal decisions when purely
relying on their intuition in solving all ethical choices. Also, failure to consult ethical decision-
making models risks making decisions that result in the most harm to the clients (Remely &
