Ethics for counselors working in Addictions, Mental Health and Co-Occurring Disorders will help counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors and addictions professionals get continuing education and certification training to aid them in providing services guided by best practices. AllCEUs is approved by the california Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), NAADAC, the Association for Addictions Professionals, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Board of Georgia (ADACB-GA), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and most states.
2. Based on Ethics and Psychotherapy in Counseling: Third Edition by Kenneth Pope and Melba J.T. Vasquez (2007) Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
3. Ethical awareness is a continuous, active process. Enemies: Fatigue, habit, stress Awareness of ethical standards is vital, but cannot take the place of human reasoning and application Awareness of developments is important, but conclusions cannot be mindlessly accepted Seven Basic Assumptions Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
4. None of us is infallible It is easier to pay attention to other’s ethical behaviors (or lack thereof) than our own. Often ethical dilemmas have no clear “correct” answer. Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
5. Self-awareness of our theory and method Provides rationale for actions Confirmation Bias: Tendency to seek information that confirms our beliefs or actions. Our theory and method must constantly be questioned to ensure it is in the best interest of the consumer Judgment Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
6. Ethical Guides, Laws Seem to provide “answers” Do not relieve us of ethical responsibility Intended to guide, not supplant ethical decision making Authorities Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
7. It must be X or Y It is X Then it is not Y Mutual Exclusivity Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
8. Giving it a name excuses unethical behaviors “Burnout” “Compassion Fatigue” Nominal Fallacy Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
9. Basing decisions on only factual statements Failing to consider ethical, moral or professional standards Failing to consider the uniqueness of the individual Naturalistic Fallacy Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
10. Focusing on the things you did NOT intend to do, instead of acknowledging the things you did. Example: “I never intended to violate anyone’s confidentiality” I did however intend to take chances sending unencrypted emails because it is easier. Denying Motivation Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
11. Throws focus from the misdeeds by focusing on what did not occur Nobody died (Although one tried to commit suicide) Everyone was provided timely services (Although they were not appropriate to the person served) Emphasizing the Positive Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
12. It is not unethical if… We have read about it We can identify others who do the same thing We did not mean any harm We caused harm, but the client also brought it on himself We were under extreme stress Nobody ever complains We did not anticipate the outcomes There is no universally accepted evidence that it is The Un-Ethics Mantra Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
13. Trust Power Given by the state Given by the person Fundamental power differential Caring Emotional over-involvement Can lead to dual relationships Can be done with objectivity Fundamental Principles of Therapy Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
14. In skills In person Emotional Physical In practice (documentation, confidentiality etc.) Competence Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
15. Isolation Debriefing Consultation Monotony Fatigue Sedentariness Lack of personal nuturance Causes of Ethical Stress Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
17. A client has come through detox and has been through your program three times already. You have open beds you need to fill. Do you readmit him? A counselor tells you she has given her clients her home phone number so they can call whenever they need her. A client reveals that she is drinking vodka with seroquel (antipsychotic) every night to pass out so she does not have to know when her husband has sex with her. Scenarios Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
18. A counselor has a caseload of 75 clients. Her day is booked solid. Sally calls in crisis and states she “just cannot do it anymore, and won’t be coming to her appointment.” The therapist tells her to call back when she is ready and hangs up, relieved that she has an hour off. Scenarios Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99
19. Ethical behavior involves constant assessment of our own behaviors and motivations Ethics provide an ideal Laws provide a minimum standard Ethical behavior involves achieving the greatest degree of ethical behavior while maintaining site of what is legal and best for the client. Summary Copyright CDS Ventures LLC 2011 Unlimited CEUs 12 months $99