A 17-year-old female client, Sarah, comes to you for counseling. She tells you that she has been using heroin for the past year and that she is addicted. She wants to get sober, but she is afraid of what her parents will think.

Values and ethical standards

The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics provides a framework for ethical decision-making in counseling. The ACA Code of Ethics is based on four core values:

• Autonomy: The right of clients to make their own decisions.
• Beneficence: The obligation to promote the well-being of clients.
• Nonmaleficence: The obligation to avoid harming clients.
• Justice: The obligation to treat clients fairly and equitably.

In addition to these four core values, the ACA Code of Ethics also includes specific ethical standards for counselors. Some of the ethical standards that are relevant to the case scenario described above include:

• Confidentiality: Counselors must keep confidential all information disclosed by clients during the counseling process.
• Informed consent: Counselors must obtain informed consent from clients before providing counseling services.
• Dual relationships: Counselors must avoid dual relationships with clients that could impair their judgment or ability to provide objective services.

Ethical decision-making model

The ACA Code of Ethics does not provide a specific ethical decision-making model. However, the ACA does recommend that counselors use a model that is appropriate for the situation and that is consistent with the ACA Code of Ethics.

One ethical decision-making model that is often used by counselors is the ETHICS model. The ETHICS model is a six-step process that can be used to resolve ethical dilemmas in counseling. The six steps of the ETHICS model are:

1. Identify the problem. What is the ethical dilemma that I am facing?
2. Think ahead. What are the potential consequences of each of my options?
3. What are my ethical obligations to my client?
4. Do I have enough information to make a decision?
5. Calculate risk. What is the risk of harm to my client if I choose each option?
6. Select an action. What is the most ethical action for me to take?

Applying the values, ethical standards, and ethical decision-making model to the case scenario

In the case scenario described above, the counselor would first need to identify the ethical dilemma. The ethical dilemma is that the client is addicted to heroin and wants to get sober, but she is afraid of what her parents will think.

Once the counselor has identified the ethical dilemma, they would need to think ahead about the potential consequences of each of their options. One option would be to keep the client’s heroin use confidential from her parents. This would protect the client’s autonomy and confidentiality. However, it would also mean that the counselor would not be able to get the client the help she needs.

Another option would be to tell the client’s parents about her heroin use. This would allow the counselor to get the client the help she needs, but it would also violate the client’s confidentiality and autonomy.

The counselor would also need to consider their ethical obligations to their client. The counselor has an obligation to promote the client’s well-being and to avoid harming her. The counselor also has an obligation to respect the client’s autonomy.

Finally, the counselor would need to calculate the risk of harm to the client if they choose each option. One risk is that the client may continue to use heroin and overdose if she does not get help. Another risk is that the client may become alienated from her parents if they find out about her heroin use without her consent.

After considering all of these factors, the counselor would need to select the most ethical action to take. The most ethical action may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case. However, some possible actions that the counselor could take include:

• Talking to the client about her options and helping her to make a decision about whether or not to tell her parents about her heroin use.
• Offering to mediate a conversation between the client and her parents.
• Referring the client to a treatment program for heroin addiction.

It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how to apply the values, ethical standards, and ethical decision-making model to a case scenario. The best approach will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case. However, the ACA Code of Ethics and the ETHICS model can provide counselors with a framework for making ethical decisions.