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Overview of the Day!l Basic Ethics Concepts!l Purpose of Code of Ethics!l Review of Codes from Different Professions!l Confidentiality in family therapy!l Professional Boundaries !l Dual Relationships!l Competence!l Transference and Countertransference!
Social Work Code of Ethics!
l http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp!
Definition of Terms!
l ETHICS:!
The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group or culture. (www.dictionary.com) !
Principles and standards which inform professional behavior.!
Essential Knowledge and Skill!
l Importance of being familiar with the Code !
l Know your resources !l Develop Decision-Making Skills !
Purpose of Code of Ethics!
l Provide guidelines for professional behavior!
l Designed to protect the public and our clients!
l Safeguard one's professional autonomy !l Enhance the status of one's profession !
Decision-Making Question!
l Is this in my self-interest or my client's interests? !
l Am I acting for my client's welfare or my welfare?!
l Whose needs are being met? !l Do what is right for the client !
Child & Family Therapy!
Importance of establishing communication & confidentiality boundaries clearly at the outset of family therapy and regular review !
Differences between individual and family therapy!
Working with minors who use illegal substances !
Child and Family Therapy!
The “tightrope” ! Establishing boundaries! Range of confidentiality scenarios !
Confidentiality!
l National Association of Social Workers Section 1.07 9a: “Social workers should respect clients' right to privacy. Social workers should not solicit private information from clients unless it is essential to providing services or conducting social work services or conducting social work evaluation or research. Once private information is shared, standards of confidentiality apply”. !
Confidentiality!
l Section 1.07b: “Social workers may disclose confidential information when appropriate with a valid consent from a client or a person legally authorized to consent on behalf of the client. !
Confidentiality!
l Always use informed consent statements re: the parameters of confidentiality !
l Take reasonable steps to protect client confidentiality !
l When information is required to be disclosed, provide only minimal disclosure!
l Document all action taken and what information was disclosed!
l Consult with colleagues with exceptions to confidentiality situations !
Confidentiality!
l Where and how client's records/client information is stored !
l With whom and where client information is shared !
l “How would the client see this behavior?”!
Professional Boundaries!
l American Psychiatric Association (Section 2.1): “The necessary intensity of the treatment relationship may tend to activate sexual and other needs and fantasies on the part of both patient and psychiatrist, while weakening the objectivity necessary for control. Additionally, the inherent inequality in the doctor-patient relationship may lead to exploitation of a patient. Sexual activity with a current or former patient is unethical.”!
Professional Boundaries!
l American Psychological Association 3.05 Multiple Relationships: “A multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist is in a professional role with a person and (1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, !
Professional Boundaries!
l (2) At the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated with or related to the person with whom the psychologist has the professional relationship, or (3) promises to enter into another relationship in the future with the person. !
Professional Boundaries!
l “Dual or multiple relationships occur when social workers relate to clients in more than one relationship, whether professional, social, or business. Dual or multiple relationships can occur simultaneously or consecutively”. !
Dual Relationships!
l Therapists who engage in a dual personal or business relationship with a client are serving their own needs at the harm of the client. !
Dual Relationships!
l The blending of one's professional role with a client with another kind of relationship: social, sexual, educational, supervisory, business, etc. !
Dual Relationships / Social Situations!
l Nature of client's situation !l Nature of social function !l Kind of professional relationship !l Treatment approach !l Potential harm/benefit to client !l Whose needs are being met? !
Transference!
l Process where clients project on us past feelings or attitudes they had toward other significant people in their lives !
l Positive or negative misrepresentation !l Repetition of past conflicts !
− the unreal relationship!
Countertransference!
l Hope they aren't home, or miss their appointment !
l Relief when they cancel an appointment !
l Reject/abandon them !
Ethical Mandates and Countertransference!
l Process how we feel about our clients!
l Seek consultation !l Undergo treatment !l In some cases, refer to a colleague !
l American Counseling Association C.2.a: “Counselors practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience. !
Competence!
Competence!
l Counselors gain knowledge, personal awareness, sensitivity, and skills pertinent to working with a diverse client population. !
Competence!
l 1.04(b): “Social workers should provide services in substantive areas or use intervention techniques or approaches that are new to them only after engaging in appropriate study, training, consultation, and supervision from people who are competent in those interventions or techniques”.!
Competence!
l 1.05c: “When generally recognized standards do not exist with respect to an emerging area of practice, social workers should exercise careful judgment and take responsible steps (including appropriate education, research, training, consultation, and supervision)...” !
Competence!
l Should accept responsibility on the basis of one's competence or intention to acquire the necessary competence. !
l Expected to keep updated on new developments in the field. !
Summary
l Is this my self-interest or my client's interests? !
l Am I acting for my client's welfare or my welfare?!
l Whose needs are being met? !
