When working with a client that I am familiar with in my community like my
hair stylist some ethical implications that could arise are dual relationships
and the inability to practice self-awareness. Dual relationships is an
important thing to address when working with clients and in a crisis
situation we need to be diligent in making sure that we address with the
client informed consent, how sessions are documented, and reviewed by a
supervisor to ensure that no judgment and exploitation has occurred
(American Counseling Association, 2014). One thing that I would do as the
counselor is offer the client the ability to transfer to another crisis counselor
if they did not feel comfortable talking with me after I explained these
above topics. The other ethical implication is the ability to practice self-
awareness with this being my own community. Practicing self-awareness
and self-monitoring will prevent countertransference where the counselor
may potentially place their own feelings and thoughts on the client (Kanel,
2015).
Assessing the client's risk to address their feelings of despair, hopelessness,
and helplessness, as their counselor I would begin by completing an overall
risk assessment where I would ask open ended questions about the client's
safety, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive stability. I would ensure that the
client's was not in risk of self-harm or the feelings of harming others. Once
assessment has been completed, I would discuss with the client about
continuation of services with me and what that would look like as well as
the client if they would prefer another counselor.
References:
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics.
Kanel, 2015. A guide to crisis intervention (6th ed). Cengage US.
hair stylist some ethical implications that could arise are dual relationships
and the inability to practice self-awareness. Dual relationships is an
important thing to address when working with clients and in a crisis
situation we need to be diligent in making sure that we address with the
client informed consent, how sessions are documented, and reviewed by a
supervisor to ensure that no judgment and exploitation has occurred
(American Counseling Association, 2014). One thing that I would do as the
counselor is offer the client the ability to transfer to another crisis counselor
if they did not feel comfortable talking with me after I explained these
above topics. The other ethical implication is the ability to practice self-
awareness with this being my own community. Practicing self-awareness
and self-monitoring will prevent countertransference where the counselor
may potentially place their own feelings and thoughts on the client (Kanel,
2015).
Assessing the client's risk to address their feelings of despair, hopelessness,
and helplessness, as their counselor I would begin by completing an overall
risk assessment where I would ask open ended questions about the client's
safety, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive stability. I would ensure that the
client's was not in risk of self-harm or the feelings of harming others. Once
assessment has been completed, I would discuss with the client about
continuation of services with me and what that would look like as well as
the client if they would prefer another counselor.
References:
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics.
Kanel, 2015. A guide to crisis intervention (6th ed). Cengage US.
