Preview

Counseling Case

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
680 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Counseling Case
PCN-505, Module 2, Discussion Question 1
Regina Longwell
Grand Canyon University
January 27, 2013

This case clearly addresses the issue of scope of practice. According to Remely and Herlihy, there are specific degrees, credentials, and licenses needed to counsel in specific areas. The qualifications may vary from state to state and it is important to know and understand the scope of practice that your particular qualifications include. (Remly, Jr. and Helihy, 2010). In the state of Minnesota, where I reside, the professional counselor definition is as follows: "Licensed professional counseling" means the application of counseling, human development, and mental health research, principles, and procedures to maintain and enhance the mental health, development, personal and interpersonal effectiveness, and adjustment to work and life of individuals and families”, and the scope of practice is as follows: “The scope of practice of a licensed professional counselor includes, but is not limited to:
(1) the implementation of professional counseling treatment interventions including evaluation, treatment planning, assessment, and referral;
(2) direct counseling services to individuals, groups, and families;
(3) counseling strategies that effectively respond to multicultural populations;
(4) knowledge of relevant laws and ethics impacting practice;
(5) crisis intervention;
(6) consultation; and
(7) program evaluation and applied research.” (Office of the Reviser of Statues, 2012).

While, addressing how alcoholism possibly affects Janet’s major depression in her counseling sessions seems to fall within the professional counselor’s scope of practice, the direct treatment of alcoholism does not. According to state statutes, the treatment of chemical dependency is done by a licensed professional other than the professional counselor, who specializes in such training. For the professional counselor to do so would be to practice outside the scope of



References: Office of the Reviser of Statues. (2012). 2012 Minnesota statutes. Retrieved on January 27, 2013 from https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=148B.59&year=2012 Remely Jr., Theodore and Herlihy, Barbara. (2010). Ethical, legal and professional issues in counseling. Retrieved on January 27, 2013 from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/pearson/2010/ethical-legal-and-professional-issues-in-counseling_ebook_3e.php

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Currently I am seeking licensure in professional counseling in North Carolina. North Carolina has strenuous process for completion of licensure requirements, there are several components that must be completed prior to submission of application for licensure. The first component includes the completion of the educational requirements. The educational requirements differ based on enrolment date. The educational requirements are:…

    • 589 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Section III. Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling as they Relate to My Ethical Autobiography…

    • 348 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The field of professional counseling provides for occasions for the counselor to make decisions based on professional ethics. Ethics can be commonly derived from one’s own values. In order to create a more consistent standard codes of ethics have been published. Two of these publications will be used in this paper: 1) American Counseling Association (ACA): Code of Ethics (2005), 2) American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC): Code of Ethics (2004). Whereas these organizations are based on different ideals, a general comparison will be made. Inasmuch as revisions are ongoing, this paper will review several that were revised in the latest publication, as highlighted in the article New Mandates and Imperatives in the Revised ACA Code of Ethics. (2009)…

    • 1591 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Many professions have their own either written or understood code of ethics. This holds true for the profession of counseling, including the Christian sector of counseling. The American Counseling Association along with the American Association of Christian counselors both published codes of ethics for the licensed professionals in this particular field. Their specific ethics provide counselors with a guideline of how to correctly and ethically serve their clients. Some of the ethics described in these documents are: confidentiality, informed consent, and discrimination, healthy relationships with clients, laws and regulations, along with other specific duties to the clients and to the profession itself. These detailed standards are set in place to uphold the integrity of the counseling profession and ensure that clients are cared for in the most appropriate manner. This paper compares the two codes of ethics, pointing out specifically the similarities and differences the following topics: competence, fees, and personal problems of counselors.…

    • 1391 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    ACA Ethical Codes

    • 828 Words
    • 4 Pages

    As a future counselor, I can say with certainty that at some point in my counseling career I will be faced with an ethical dilemma. What will help me in this type of situation is having a solid understanding of the ACA Ethical Guidelines. My understanding of ethics is that it is beneficial to both the client and the counselor and serves as a guide for counselors and protects the client. From the counselor perspective, ethical guidelines provide guidance, boundaries and answers to ethical dilemmas that arise during counseling sessions. To be discussed in this paper is a summary of my understanding of ethics as it pertains to ethics and legalities course I am currently enrolled in. In addition the ethical codes…

    • 828 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    HSCO 511 Ethics Paper

    • 2011 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Dufrene, R. L., & Herlihy, B. (2011). Current and emerging ethical issues in counseling: a Delphi study of expert opinions. Counseling and Values, 56(1-2), 10+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA271883260&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=74b740b5c19e679f8d116a2ab0baec9a…

    • 2011 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The primary role of counseling’s ethical code is to protect the public and to preserve the credibility of the counseling profession (Remley & Herlihy, 2010). My future work as a counselor may entail a wide variety of different ethical dilemmas that arise at any given time. I might also be required to make decisions that have implications in several different legal and ethical areas. In order to be able to meet the needs of my clients, the role as a counselor and the professional responsibilities of the field I practice in I must be fully aware of all the necessary information that is available to me to make such decisions. I must strive to be fully versed in all areas of ethical codes so that I am able to provide services that allow me to function within the best practices guidelines. Being the very best at what I do and striving to go beyond leave me no alternative but to be fully versed in the application of ethics in my future field of…

    • 972 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    There are different types of professional counselors. Professional counselors include school counselors, clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family counselors, addiction counselors, student affairs and college counselors, and rehabilitation counselors (Neukrug, 2014). All professional counselors have a master’s degree in counseling, which provides them with broad trainings and expertise in individual, group, and family counseling, administering and interpreting assessments, and conducting research, just to name a few (Neukrug, 2014). Professional counselors differ from other fields of counseling from the trainings provided in different programs. Other related mental…

    • 1465 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Culture

    • 2534 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Professional counselors have the obligation to ensure quality and effective counseling toward clients. All the while, counselors are committed to the ethical guidelines that are established to avoid legal, professional malpractice and competent issues. Some of those guidelines consider dual relationships and professional boundaries. Counselors are not to engage in dual relationships with clients, supervisors, and coworkers, and also should be cautioned to prevent situations that may cause ethical boundary violations. However, after a client has completed treatment and has been terminated for some time, some of those rules tend to change. Therefore, counselors should be able to think logically while having criteria to make ethical decisions.…

    • 2534 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    While an addiction counselor’s main goal is to improve the mental health and wellness of clients through a treatment plan the goals need to be based on the individual the counselor is working with; therefore each case must be individualized to meet the needs of the client. Individual therapy consists of working directly with an individual, an assortment of approaches are used in individual therapy. The approaches include harm reduction, coping skills training, life-skills training, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, social skills training, and behavior therapy these approaches are included in the direct effect strategies as well as the broad spectrum strategies. The central component to these strategies is the client- counselor relationship also known as the therapeutic alliance. The counselor must be able to listen objectively to the client, they must be aware of their responses not only verbally but non-verbally as well. They must be able to validate the client through non-verbal communication as well as positive regard. The language the counselor uses must engender motivation toward change for the client. By moving away from negativity these strategies give the clients hope and breed independence which…

    • 1060 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many different kinds of ethical dilemmas inherent in counseling. One of them occurs when a counselor’s personal values conflict with the Code of Ethics (2014). At least two…

    • 1773 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Competent Professional

    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages

    According to readings practitioner’s competence is defined as the ability to perform according to the standards of the profession. Being competent in one area of counseling does not automatically make one proficient in another area. Practitioners can develop competence both as a generalist and specialist. Generalist can work in broad ranges of issues and a specialist works in a particular area. From ethical standpoints competence is required in order to provide protection and services to clients. Assessment approaches are effective when both formative and summative evaluations are integrated. Together the assessments focus on strengths and provide information to assist in educational plans (Corey 2008). It is important that all clients receive proper treatment. Some cases will be harder than others, however not all difficult case should be referred. It is the practitioner’s job to be able to make objective and honest assessment of when to refer and when not to refer. Practitioners should maintain skills by providing effective services and making sure that one’s skills are…

    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Client Safety – Professional Competence and Fitness to Practice – Respect for Differences in Lifestyles and Beliefs between Clients – Respect for Client Self-Determination – Prohibitions on Exploitation of Clients – Contracting – Confidentiality – Duty to Maintain the Profession’s Reputation.…

    • 3740 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Credentialing

    • 1005 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Plagiarism Tracy L. Cross Professional Counseling Credentialing Liberty University Abstract Professional identity of counselors begins with professionalization. Through credentialing and program accreditation, the identity of the counseling profession is strengthened. This paper provides a comprehensive view of the credentialing of the counseling profession, both non-legislative and legislative. Credentialing informs the public that the professional has experience, will continue professional training and has devoted to a code of ethics as well. These are important elements to the counseling profession.…

    • 1005 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Confidentiality and Minors

    • 2585 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Rehmley, T.P., & Herlihy, B. (2010). Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling. Merrill; New York.…

    • 2585 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays