Introduction
As a counselor, navigating the legal and ethical landscape requires a well-tailored, thoughtful approach that fits the case and the broader legal environment. Therefore, conscientiousness and professional conduct are key in this profession, particularly when dealing with ethical decisions. This paper will examine this issue further through a case study of Simone, an 18-year-old mother with a myriad of challenges who seeks advice in a counseling session. Addressing this complex issue requires that the expert be well-versed in ethical decision-making, understand the professional standards in this field, and demonstrate empathy as a human being. To provide effective counseling to Simone, the practitioner must follow the principles of autonomy, justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and fidelity.
Analysis of the Ethical Decision-Making Model
Identification of the Most Appropriate Model
The chosen decision-making model for Simone’s case study is the Practitioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision-Making by Forester-Miller & Davis (2016). The model was designed to assist the American Counseling Association (ACA) in facilitating sound ethical decision-making among its members (Forester-Miller & Davis, 2016). This method has been widely adopted and recognized for its systematic approach to problem-solving in counseling. It is derived from several foundational models outlining best practices for ethical decision-making.
Justification for the Selection
The rationale for the selection is that this model is based on principles rather than rules, which cannot help in dealing with complex situations like those in the case study. The principles advocated for in the model include autonomy, nonmaleficence, justice, beneficence, and fidelity (Forester-Miller & Davis, 2016). The multiple challenges faced by Simone, including substance abuse, lack of education, limited desire to work, parenting challenges, and low IQ, require her counselor to incorporate a holistic approach like the one presented.
Preference Over Others
The practitioner’s guide to ethical decision-making (PGEDM) model is unique in that it is practical, transparent, and flexible. For instance, many previous ethical decision-making models focus solely on the legal aspects of guidance and counseling (Verhofstadt et al., 2019). On the other hand, the PGEDM takes a more holistic approach to the problem, advocating for various principles to be met. This model has a clearly outlined seven-step guide that shows decision-makers how to navigate complex challenges and ethical dilemmas, a feature seldom found in others.
Application of the Ethical Decision-Making Model
Ethical and Legal Dilemmas
In Simone’s case, various ethical and legal dilemmas should be addressed. Simone’s admission that she is using marijuana to enhance her well-being raises a moral dilemma on whether to forbid her, which could make her even worse, or let her continue, which could also affect her mental well-being. The selling of the drug to have some money to purchase the medicines raises a legal dilemma of telling her to stop this habit, as it could lead her to jail or continue, which makes her have some funds to buy personal items. Simone’s inability to formulate personal future goals raises an ethical dilemma about whether she can take care of her child.
Applying the Model in Simone’s Case
The first step in solving this problem is to understand the issue at hand thoroughly. In this case, this includes drug abuse, low IQ, traumatic childhood, and drug trafficking. Next, the counselor should identify the ACA ethical guidelines related to Simone’s case. The ethical and legal dilemmas above should be identified, and in this case, the decision to care for the child should be left to the parent based on the principle of autonomy. It would be best to have Simone get into a rehabilitation institution for her drug-related problems to be addressed. If the counselor is unsure of the decision to make, it would be best for them to seek guidance from experienced peers on how to deal with the issue.
Brainstorming the available options while relying on the relevant literature should be done. Several options will be generated and listed from this step. The best course of action, based on Simone’s case, ethical principles, and standards, should then be determined. Once a cause of action is determined, the decision should be regularly evaluated to ensure the correct option is taken. Finally, implement the determined course of action and regularly follow Simone’s progress to ensure her situation is improving.
Applying the Steps as the Counselor
As Simone’s counselor, I would identify problems using semi-structured questions, allowing her to lead the conversation. Potential ethical and legal complications would go unnoticed by her. The issue of marijuana conception would be compared with the existing laws, and there would be a need for actions to be taken based on the principles of justice and beneficence.
The decision to let her have autonomy over the child would be based on her IQ and mental health status. The potential course of action would be to recommend that Simone get into a rehabilitation center and put her baby under foster care. The consequences of this action are that it could put Simone under even more duress, but would nonetheless be less than having her arrested and the separation still occurring.
This decision aligns with the principle of justice as it does not violate the available laws. It is also in line with the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, and fidelity. It is essential to secure Simone’s agreement to this decision by informing her of all possible challenges. Should she say no, the decision should be forced on her, as her low IQ does not give her enough room to exercise the right of autonomy.
This decision aligns with specific laws, including the ACA Code of Ethics, US state and federal laws, child protection laws, and client confidentiality laws. The ACA code of ethics allows counselors to maintain confidentiality with their clients; thus, some aspects of the interactions will not be reported (Carlisle et al., 2022). The legality of Simone’s use of marijuana will guide the decision to have her in rehab to avoid legal persecution. The child welfare law will also guide the decision for the separation since Simone’s conditions show she is not competent enough to handle her child.
Impact of Cultural and Developmental Factors
When addressing Simone’s case, cultural and developmental factors will be depicted by the factors that shaped her background. The childhood factors, such as her having bipolar disorder, are critical in the decision to send her to a restoration facility. Additionally, it is essential to understand the nature of the environment in which she was brought up, with an alcoholic father, and the condition of her mother, revealing that Simone is grappling with psychological challenges. Her inability to go to school and give birth as a teenager could be a cause of stigma in Simone, thus the need for rehabilitation.
Impact of Counselor Values and Strategies to Address Them
As Simone’s counselor, the two values that shape decisions should be empathy and commitment. Empathy is the ability of an individual to put themselves in another’s shoes, while commitment is the personal dedication to solve a problem (Agyeiwaah et al., 2022; Maher & Morley, 2020). The decision to have Simone join a rehabilitation center and the child go to foster care is based on empathy to achieve the greater good for both the child and the mother. Commitment will be depicted by taking all the necessary measures to ensure the child is placed in decent foster care, and Simone can get her child once she gets better. To ensure better decisions in the future, continuous self-reflection will be conducted regularly, and consultations with colleagues will always be held to ensure decisions align with PGEDM principles. The strategies to ensure better decisions will include establishing ethical decision-making protocols and cultivating cultural competence to ensure that diverse clients are well-addressed.
Conclusion
To effectively address Simone’s case, the principles of autonomy, justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and fidelity must be applied at every step of the decision-making process. These principles are well advocated for in the PGEDM, which will be used to handle this case. The issue must be understood, the ACA code of ethics applied, dilemmas identified, general causes of action listed, potential consequences analyzed, the justification evaluated, and the implementation carried out.
Cultural sensitivity will be addressed by examining the client’s past and understanding her struggles growing up. Specific personal values will be used when making the final decision: empathy and commitment. The strategies used to address the problem will include a structured approach to ethical decision-making and the enhancement of cultural competence during interactions.
References
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Carlisle, K. L., Levitt, D. H., & Neukrug, E. S. (2022). Mental health counsellors’ perceptions of ethical behaviours. Counselling and Values, 67(1), 88–115.
Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. E. (2016). Practitioner’s guide to ethical decision making (Rev. ed.). American Counseling Association.
Maher, A. J., & Morley, D. (2020). The Self itself into the shoes of the Other: Understanding and developing self-perceptions of empathy among prospective physical education teachers through a special school placement. European Physical Education Review, 26(4), 848–864.
Verhofstadt, M., Van Assche, K., Sterckx, S., Audenaert, K., & Chambaere, K. (2019). Psychiatric patients requesting euthanasia: Guidelines for sound clinical and ethical decision making. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 64, 150-161.