Application Addressing Ethical Issuescounselors Often Face Difficult ✓ Solved

Application: Addressing Ethical Issues Counselors often face difficult decisions in their work that may have ethical ramifications. Ethical dilemmas span all areas of the counseling practice from record keeping and fee setting to confidentiality, privacy, and cultural considerations. For this Assignment you concentrate on cultural considerations that may pose challenges to ethical practice. (Culture is broadly defined here as the behaviors, traditions, and/or beliefs of any subgroup.) Select one of the two case studies below to use for this assignment. After analyzing the case study, consider how you might address the issues present using the codes of ethics put forth by either the American Counseling Association (ACA) or the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC).

Review the case studies below before completing the assignment. Case Study #1 Nitin and Priya Pathak came to your office for counseling, along with their 16-year-old son Sujay. Nitin and Priya are first generation Indian-American immigrants, while their son was born and raised in the United States. They were reluctant to engage in counseling, but are doing so at the request of Sujay. In Sujay’s view, his parents are being overly controlling regarding his upcoming choice of college, which is causing increasingly frequent clashes between him and his parents.

Sujay wants to attend art school, while his parents want him to attend engineering school. They state that a career in science, religion, law, or medicine is the appropriate path for a person of his caste. Sujay claims that while he wants to please his parents, he feels they are stifling his passion and imposing cultural norms that, to him, are a part of their “world†and not his. You have little knowledge of Indian culture or the caste system and are unsure whether the issue at hand is a matter of controlling parents dealing with a life transition issue or a serious conflict involving social and cultural influences. Case Study #2 Nicole and Julia explain to you that their relationship has felt strained lately and that they fear they are heading for a breakup.

The couple explain to you that they have been in a long-term, non-monogamous relationship, but that lately, Nicole has expressed desire to change this practice. Julia feels that Nicole is “changing the rules halfway through the game†and that her sexual relationships with others are of no consequence to how she feels about Nicole. Their current relationship practice conflicts with your own personal opinion about the role of monogamy in relationships, and thus you feel conflicted about how to handle the situation. The assignment (2–3 pages) · Identify the case study you chose and describe the ethical issue(s) present in it. · Explain how you would address each of these issues. · Justify your response using the appropriate ACA/IAMFC codes of ethics.

Paper for above instructions

Application: Addressing Ethical Issues in Counseling

Introduction

Counselors frequently encounter ethical dilemmas that revolve around various aspects of their practice, such as confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and differing belief systems. This assignment will delve into Case Study #1 involving Nitin, Priya, and their son Sujay. The ethical issue at hand focuses on navigating cultural expectations versus individual autonomy. Ethical frameworks provided by the American Counseling Association (ACA) will be utilized to formulate an approach to the situation.

Case Study Overview

Nitin and Priya Pathak, first-generation Indian-American immigrants, are seeking counseling for their 16-year-old son, Sujay, who is struggling with a significant decision regarding his future. Sujay wishes to attend art school, whereas his parents insist he pursue a career in engineering, reflecting traditional cultural norms attached to their caste (Mason, 2019). The conflict escalates due to the generational and cultural divide, which complicates the counseling dynamic.

Ethical Issues Present

1. Cultural Sensitivity: The diverging views between Sujay and his parents highlight a cultural clash. The parents’ expectations are steeped in their cultural background, emphasizing academic success in predefined fields, while Sujay seeks to establish his identity (Liu et al., 2021).
2. Autonomy vs. Parental Control: Sujay's desire for self-determination comes into conflict with his parents' traditional values. This scenario raises questions about the ethical obligation of the counselor to support Sujay's independence while acknowledging his parents’ cultural perspectives (Harris & McDonald, 2020).
3. Limited Cultural Knowledge: The counselor recognizes a gap in their understanding of Indian culture and the caste system, which can affect their ability to navigate this case effectively (Sue et al., 2019).

Addressing the Ethical Issues

1. Cultural Sensitivity: To ensure culturally responsive counseling, I would engage in a thorough exploration of the cultural beliefs that inform Nitin and Priya’s expectations. This involves creating an open and safe environment where all parties can express their views without judgment (Hays, 2016). It is essential to acknowledge the influence of cultural identity on decision-making, which involves allowing the Pathaks to articulate their concerns about Sujay's choices and how these are influenced by their background.
The ACA's Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of cultural competence (Section C.2) which mandates counselors to “understand and respect the cultural context of clients, integrating that understanding into their counseling practice” (ACA, 2014). I would also consider seeking supervision or consulting with cultural experts to enhance my understanding, thereby providing more informed support.
2. Supporting Autonomy: Providing Sujay with a platform to express his aspirations is critical in affirming his autonomy (Reynolds & Roy, 2022). I would facilitate family meetings that encourage open discussions about career paths, enabling Sujay to articulate his motivations for wanting to attend art school. This counseling approach aligns with ACA’s ethical guidelines that state, “Counselors respect the autonomy and self-determination of clients” (Section A.2) (ACA, 2014).
It is also pertinent to explore how Sujay’s pursuit of his passions can coexist with the values held by his parents. For instance, the conversation might highlight elements of compromise or integration of both aspirations—explaining how careers in art can also lead to financially stable positions.
3. Addressing Cultural Knowledge Gaps: Recognizing my limitations in understanding Indian culture, I would proactively seek educational resources that detail cultural practices, values, and societal structures relevant to the Pathak family (Diller & Moule, 2015). The ACA stresses the importance of professional development and continuing education (Section C.2.a), which I could fulfill through workshops focused on multicultural issues in counseling.
Additionally, I would inform the Pathaks of the limits of my cultural knowledge and demonstrate my commitment to learning about their perspectives (Sue & Sue, 2016). This transparency promotes trust in the counseling relationship and ensures a more effective therapeutic alliance.
4. Family Involvement in Decision-Making: Encouraging a family-based approach to decision-making could help reconcile the conflict between Sujay and his parents. Using techniques such as motivational interviewing could foster understanding and reduce defensiveness (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Each participant would share their views, and together we’d explore the values and goals behind their positions.

Conclusion

In navigating the ethical issues presented in Case Study #1 involving the Pathak family, it is essential to prioritize cultural sensitivity, recognize the importance of autonomy, and address any knowledge gaps. By applying the ACA's ethical codes, counselors can approach this scenario with a balanced perspective that honors both the family’s cultural practices and Sujay’s individual aspirations. This approach not only fosters effective therapeutic relationships but also promotes a deeper understanding of the complexities present in culturally diverse counseling situations.

References

American Counseling Association (ACA). (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
Diller, J. V., & Moule, J. (2015). Cultural competence: A primer for educators. Cengage Learning.
Harris, M., & McDonald, S. (2020). Emotional intelligence in multicultural counseling: Implications for training and practice. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 42(1), 44-56.
Hays, P. A. (2016). Addressing cultural complexities in practice: A framework for clinicians and counselors. American Psychological Association.
Liu, J. H., O'Reilly, K., & Allen, K. R. (2021). Immigration and mental health: A cultural perspective. Journal of Immigration and Health, 8(1), 122-135.
Mason, R. (2019). Navigating cultural conflict in counseling: Issues and strategies. Journal of Counseling and Development, 97(2), 187-194.
Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
Reynolds, A. M., & Roy, P. (2022). Family dynamics in cultural counseling practices. Family Process, 61(1), 120-135.
Sue, S., Cheng, J. K. Y., Saad, C. S., & Cheng, J. (2019). Asian American mental health: A cultural perspective. American Psychologist, 74(5), 676-688.
Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2016). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.