Applying ACA Code of Ethics to Ethical Dilemmas in Group Therapy, Couples Counseling, Private Practice Management, and Telehealth Services for Counselors in an 800-1200 Word Scenario Analysis Assignment

Evaluating real-world counseling scenarios through the lens of professional ethical standards helps aspiring mental health professionals navigate complex issues like confidentiality breaches, personal biases, insurance protocols, and virtual therapy challenges effectively.

CNL-505 Scenario Analysis (Obj. 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6)

Assessment Traits

Requires Lopeswrite

Assessment Description

In this assignment you will be applying the skills and knowledge you have been developing throughout this course to answer questions related to four scenarios.

Approaching these scenarios with empathy allows counselors to better understand the human elements involved in ethical decision-making.

Apply related ACA Code of Ethics or ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors in your responses regarding confidentiality in groups, working with couples, obstacles of private practice, and issues related to telehealth.

Access the “Scenario Analysis” document. Complete the document according to the assignment guidelines.

NOTE: The LopesWrite score for this assignment will be high due to submitting the attachment that includes scenarios.

Recent advancements in telehealth have highlighted the need for updated ethical guidelines to address digital confidentiality concerns.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.

This assignment is informed by the following CACREP Standards:

2.F.1.d. The role and process of the professional counselor advocating on behalf of the profession.

2.F.1.j. Technology’s impact on the counseling profession.

2.F.5.d. Ethical and culturally relevant strategies for establishing and maintaining in-person and technology-assisted relationships.

2.F.5.e. The impact of technology on the counseling process.

5.C.2.l. Legal and ethical considerations specific to clinical mental health counseling.

Integrating cultural competence into ethical responses remains crucial as diverse client populations seek mental health support.

CNL-505 Topic 6: Scenario Analysis

Directions: Read each of the scenarios below. For each scenario, compose a brief (200 to 300 words) paragraph response that addresses the concerns in the scenario.

Your response must include citations to the ACA Code of Ethics or to the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. These citations must be direct quotations of the ethical code(s) you choose.

If it applies, you may also refer to HIPAA. Be sure to reference the sources you use.

Emerging research emphasizes the role of ongoing professional development in handling evolving ethical challenges like those in virtual settings.

This assignment should be 800 to 1200 words total.

Scenario One: Barbara, a licensed therapist specializing in trauma and domestic violence, leads a weekly process group for women who are survivors of domestic violence. The group provides a safe space for members to share their experiences, receive support, and learn coping skills to heal from their trauma.

During a group meeting, Sarah revealed to the other members that she had just started working as a restaurant manager at a nearby eatery. Megan, Lisa’s sister, who also works at the restaurant, acknowledged knowing Sarah but couldn’t disclose how.

When Megan ran into Sarah at work, she subtly let on that her sister, Lisa, had mentioned that she knew Sarah. This caused Sarah to become visibly upset and later confront Lisa at the subsequent group gathering.

Barbara promptly stepped in to calm the situation.

Scenario Response:

• Identify the legal and ethical issues in this scenario and the ACA Code of Ethics that were violated.
• Discuss the potential repercussions of the ethical violation within a therapeutic setting, both for the individuals involved and for the group dynamics.
• Describe the steps Barbara should take to address the violation with Lisa and Sarah individually and how to rebuild trust and safety within the group.
• Discuss the importance of Barbara’s role in setting clear expectations around confidentiality at the start of the group and how this could have prevented the situation.

Group facilitators today often incorporate digital reminders about confidentiality to reinforce boundaries in ongoing sessions.

Scenario Two: David, a licensed professional counselor (LPC), works at a family counseling center. One of his clients, Steve, originally sought counseling for depression but is now interested in starting couples therapy with his wife.

Steve recently lost his job leading to a lack of motivation in his job search. This lack of motivation has begun to impact his relationship with his wife and child, causing more arguments and conflicts between Steve and his wife, Aliyah.

Steve and Aliyah, a biracial couple, have different views on gender roles within their marriage. Aliyah is focused on advancing her career and has proposed that Steve become a stay-at-home dad or work from home.

These suggestions clash with David’s beliefs about traditional marital roles.

Contemporary studies show that counselor self-awareness training can mitigate biases in multicultural couples therapy.

Kayla, the 10-year-old daughter of Steve and Aliyah, has been having meetings with Harper, the school counselor, to talk about her anxiety. During these sessions, Kayla has expressed concerns about the tension she feels at home between her parents.

Her thoughts are often focused on the possibility of her parents getting divorced. Consent and assent have been provided to permit David and Harper to consult regarding Kayla.

Scenario Response:

• What legal and ethical matters should David and Harper consider in this scenario?
• How can David ensure that his personal values don’t impact the counseling process?
• What special issues of confidentiality may arise in the case?
• How might differences in personal values and gender/cultural issues create ethical dilemmas in this case?

Scenario Three: Stephanie, a licensed professional counselor (LPC), is embarking on a new journey as she transitions from working as a middle school counselor to establishing her private practice. As she navigates this change, Stephanie faces various ethical considerations.

These include managing a small private practice with limited resources, minimizing business expenses to reduce overhead costs, and understanding insurance laws and policies for ethical insurance billing when accepting insurance reimbursements. Additionally, Stephanie is committed to fostering an inclusive practice environment where clients feel safe and respected, and she recognizes the importance of addressing issues of discrimination when they arise.

Stephanie is seeking to identify potential community resources that will support her clients.

Scenario Response:

• How might Stephanie effectively manage record keeping, third party reimbursement, and other practice and management issues in clinical mental health counseling?
• What legal and ethical dilemmas and protocols should Stephanie consider when accepting payments from insurance companies and managed care in order to safeguard her clients?
• How should Stephanie address and respond to issues of discrimination within her practice?
• What kinds of community-based resources could Stephanie recommend to her clients for additional support and referral source?

Updated insurance policies in recent years stress transparent billing practices to protect client rights.

Scenario Four: Amari recently passed her National Counselor Examination (NCE) and will soon be an independent licensed clinical practitioner. Supported by her husband, an active-duty military service member, they navigate frequent relocations due to his assignments.

Consequently, Amari is interested in offering remote counseling services to children and adolescents within her private practice. Drawing from her experience as a military spouse, Amari is driven by a deep passion to connect with and positively influence individuals needing mental health support.

She is excited about utilizing online counseling platforms to enhance accessibility for her future clients. However, she is not familiar with virtual counseling, nor does she know anyone who uses it in their practice.

Scenario Response:

• What is technology’s impact on both the counseling process and the counseling profession?
• What cultural and ethical factors would Amari need to consider related to technology and virtual counseling?
• What should Amari consider when establishing a therapeutic alliance online with her clients, and what strategies can she use to build this alliance?
• What steps could Amari take to familiarize herself with virtual counseling and prepare for its implementation in her private practice?

Advances in secure video platforms have made telehealth more viable for working with young clients facing relocation challenges.

References

Sample Answer Study Bay

In group therapy for domestic violence survivors, breaches of confidentiality occur when members share information outside the group, violating trust among participants. Therapists must intervene promptly to restore safety and discuss expectations clearly from the outset. For couples counseling, counselors address personal biases by engaging in self-reflection and supervision to avoid imposing values on clients. Private practice requires careful management of billing to ensure ethical compliance with insurance providers. Telehealth demands attention to digital security measures to protect client privacy during sessions. Wies et al. (2021) noted that digital mental health tools offer promises but raise ethical challenges like data privacy for young users (https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.697072). Building online alliances involves consistent check-ins and adapting strategies to virtual environments. Community resources enhance support networks for clients facing discrimination.

References / Learning Materials

1. Crespo, M. et al. (2021) ‘Analysis of Effectiveness of Individual and Group Trauma-Focused Interventions for Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), p. 1952. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041952.
2. Craven, L.C. and Howe, E.S. (2023) ‘Counseling interventions for victims of intimate partner violence: A systematic review’, Journal of Counseling & Development, 101(3), pp. 346-358. doi: 10.1002/jcad.12478.
3. White, E. and Hanley, T. (2024) ‘Current ethical dilemmas experienced by therapists who use social media: A systematic review’, Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 24(2), pp. 396-418. doi: 10.1002/capr.12678.
4. Wies, B., Landers, C. and Ienca, M. (2021) ‘Digital Mental Health for Young People: A Scoping Review of Ethical Promises and Challenges’, Frontiers in Digital Health, 3, p. 697072. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2021.697072.
5. Frank, H.E. et al. (2023) ‘Private Practice, Private Insurance, and Private Pay Mental Health Services: An Understudied Area in Implementation Science’, Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 50(3), pp. 332-340. doi: 10.1007/s10488-022-01242-4.