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Please read below the section of the NOHS Ethical Standards “Responsibility to Clients,” which is the first section, standards 1-9.
RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENTS
STANDARD 1 Human service professionals recognize and build on client and community strengths.
STANDARD 2 At the beginning of the helping relationship, human service professionals obtain informed consent for services from clients. Clients should be informed that they may withdraw consent at any time and can ask questions before agreeing to the services. Clients who are unable to give consent should have those who are legally responsible for them review an informed consent statement document and provide appropriate consent. In the case of mandated services, human service professionals explain to clients their right to consent, including limitations to confidentiality and privacy, and possible consequences from service refusal.
STANDARD 3 Human service professionals protect the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality except when such confidentiality would cause serious harm to the client or others, when agency guidelines state otherwise, or under other stated conditions (e.g., local, state, or federal laws). Human service professionals inform clients of the limits of confidentiality prior to the onset of the helping relationship.
STANDARD 4 When a human service professional suspects a client’s behavior may endanger themselves or others, they must take appropriate and professional actions to ensure safety, which may include consulting, seeking supervision, or, in accordance with state and federal laws, breaching confidentiality.
STANDARD 5 Human service professionals recognize the potential harm and impaired judgment resulting from dual or multiple relationships with clients. If such relationships cannot be avoided, professionals must assess whether to limit or forego the professional relationship and make appropriate referrals as needed.
STANDARD 6 Human service professionals must not engage in sexual or romantic relationships with current clients. In the case of former clients, their friends, or family, professionals must thoroughly assess any potential harm or exploitative dynamics before considering such relationships.
STANDARD 7 Human service professionals ensure that their values or biases are not imposed upon their clients.
STANDARD 8 Human service professionals are responsible for safeguarding the integrity, safety, and security of client records. Client information, whether in written or electronic form, can only be shared with other professionals with the client’s prior written consent, unless required or allowed by law or during professional supervision.
STANDARD 9 When providing services through the use of technology, human service professionals take precautions to ensure and maintain confidentiality and comply with all relevant laws and requirements regarding storing, transmitting, and retrieving data. In addition, human service professionals ensure that
clients are aware of any issues and concerns related to confidentiality, service issues, and how technology might negatively or positively impact the helping relationship.
The following case includes ethical dilemmas that violate the NOHS Professionals Ethical Standard Section “Responsibility to Clients” Standards 1-9:
Ethical Case Dilemma: Professional Counselor Maria
Maria is a human service professional working at a community resource center that provides counseling and job training services to individuals experiencing homelessness. One of her clients, Jamal, is a 28-year-old man who recently lost his job and housing. Jamal is very bright and loves to read books on social justice and is interested in attending the local community college to study criminal justice. The community college is a great resource in the area but Maria does not use it as a resource for her clients. She believes referring clients to the community college is a waste of time and clients need to focus on just working. In the meantime, Jamal has been making significant progress in securing employment and rebuilding his life but has also revealed sensitive information about past trauma of witnessing neighborhood violence in his counseling sessions.
Maria discusses Jamal’s trauma with a colleague during a lunch break in the staff lounge. While the colleague works in the same organization, they are not involved in Jamal’s case. Maria shares details to “seek advice” but does not have Jamal’s consent to disclose his information.
Maria decides to enroll Jamal in a job training program without explaining the program’s requirements or potential consequences, assuming it will “be best for him.” Jamal later expresses frustration, feeling unprepared for the program’s demands. Maria frequently overrides Jamal’s decisions, believing she knows what is best for him. For instance, when Jamal expresses a desire to pursue a career as an attorney. Maria insists he focus on stable, high-demand jobs like working for Amazon instead, dismissing his goals as unrealistic.
Maria also decides to accepts Jamal’s invitation to attend his sister’s wedding, believing it would strengthen their therapeutic alliance. At the event, Maria socializes with Jamal’s family and friends, blurring professional boundaries. Jamal, who comes from a culturally rich but underserved community, discusses how his upbringing impacts his job prospects. Maria makes dismissive remarks about his cultural background, focusing instead on “mainstream” strategies for success without addressing his unique experiences and strengths.
When Jamal faces discrimination at a job interview, Maria advises him to “let it go” rather than addressing the incident or helping him file a formal complaint. She fears that advocating might strain her organization’s relationships with local employers. Maria begins prioritizing her more “successful” clients over Jamal, offering them more time and resources because they show faster progress.
Jamal feels neglected and questions whether he is receiving equitable support. When Jamal confides about struggling with thoughts of self-harm, Maria dismisses his concerns, assuming he is just “seeking attention.” She fails to consult with a supervisor or follow agency protocols to address his mental health needs.
Maria has been overwhelmed with her workload but refuses to seek supervision or additional training to manage her cases effectively. Her stress leads to lapses in professionalism, such as arriving late to sessions and making rushed, poorly informed decisions regarding Jamal’s care.
What are the ethical dilemmas in this case related to the section on “Responsibility to Clients”? Please identify the ethical dilemma statements in the case above and match the ethical dilemma statements to the appropriate standards it violates (See Example Below)
Hint: There is an ethical dilemma for all the standards:
Example:
Ethical Dilemma Statement:
Jamal is very bright and loves to read books on social justice and is interested in attending the local community college to study criminal justice. The community college is a great resource in the area but Maria does not use it as a resource for her clients. She believes referring clients to the community college is a waste of time and clients need to focus on just working.
Ethical Standard Violated:
STANDARD 1 Human service professionals recognize and build on client and community strengths.
When you have completed identifying all the ethical dilemmas and matching them to the standards, please answer the following questions:
1.How could Maria have sought advice about Jamal’s case without breaching confidentiality?
2.What steps should Maria have taken to ensure Jamal’s informed consent for the job training program?
3.How could Maria better support Jamal’s career goals while respecting his autonomy (same as his right to self-determination)?
4. Why was attending the wedding inappropriate, and what were the potential risks for Maria and for Jamal?
5.How might Maria’s lack of cultural sensitivity affect Jamal’s progress? What should she have done differently?
6. How could Maria have ethically advocated for Jamal in the face of workplace discrimination?
7.What steps can Maria take to ensure equitable treatment for all her clients?
8.What protocols should Maria have followed when Jamal disclosed thoughts of self-harm?
Have fun exercising your ethical muscle! Think about what you would do if you were the Human Service Professional… Also think about what it feels like if you were in Jamal’s shoes!
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