When counselling clients do you think that there may be situations in which your legal obligations conflict with what you believe as an individual? Why?
2006-10-14 14:32:06 · 8 answers · asked by cashion_heather 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Legal obligations are very clear, you are legally obligated to tell the proper authorities if someone threatens suicide or homicide or discloses acts of sexual abuse. If some one is contemplating suicide, or contemplating murder or telling me of on going sexual abuse of a child. I personally do not have a issue with contacting the authorities in these cases at all. There is really nothing else that you would need to disclose. There are rules of confidentiality they must be followed. I hope this answered your question. God bless
2006-10-14 14:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your legal obligations to report certain acts, though not intentions, to the proper authorities goes without saying, however, I can see that your legal obligation to provide your client with a safe setting for counselling to take place may in some situations conflict with your ow beliefs.
2006-10-14 16:56:01 · answer #2 · answered by wollemi_pine_writer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since this is in psychology, I am assuming you mean counseling in the mental and emotional health aspects. I know from experience, both as the office manager for a therapy practice and as a patient, there are times when a therapists individual beliefs are in direct conflict with what they are legally bound to do for a patient.
The best example I can give is in the issue of abortion with minors. Many therapists, just like many other people, have strong beliefs on the moral and legal rights of a woman to seek an abortion. These beliefs are often challanged to an even greater degree when the patient is a minor who is contemplating the procedure without her parents knowing. In many states, minors can get abortions without parental consent or knowledge and the therapist, being bound by the patient relationship and the mountains of lawas concerning patient privacy and disclosure of information, may find themselves in a moral dilema. They feel the parent has a right to know what the child is contemplating, but they can not discuss the issue without the patient's consent or unless there is direct threat to the patient or others. At this point the therapist must follow the legal guidelines regarding privacy and disclosure. They may encourage the patient to tell the parents if they feel it is the right thing for the patient to do in context to the therapy, but they can not say anything to the parents or express their personal beliefs to the patient unless they are directly asked for (and even then it is treading on thin ice as it could be seen as weilding undue influence).
There are many therapist who specialize..not just in what issues they handle but also the people they work with. Many therapists treat patients who come from similar religous or ethnic origins. There is no law against that (as long as you are not accepting medicare...then you have to treat any patient who comes) as long as you are open and upfront about it. In the area I live, many therapists advertise they are "Christian" based providers (just an example). Be sure to check state laws and with your professional orginizations about your responsibilites in those areas.
2006-10-14 14:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because the legal obligations, often include reporting child abuse neglect, imminent harm to the client or another or reported drug use to the legal authorities(such as a client court ordered for drug treatment.)
2006-10-14 14:57:56 · answer #4 · answered by NuMi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a counselor, you have a duty to warn. If someone poses a treat to either themselves or someone else, then you are required by law to report it to the authorities. For example, saying that you are going to hurt yourself or someone else when you leave the appointment would be an example of exercising the duty to warn. I hope this helps.
2006-10-14 15:04:40 · answer #5 · answered by Michelle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has someting with your conscience and morality of career, for one thing you must consider the most benefits for your clients; for another, you must pay some attention to present law and your morality. how to make a option from both of them? it is somewhat awkard.
2006-10-14 14:44:58 · answer #6 · answered by dalias 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In case of murder or bodily harm I would think one should speak up. to protect the innocent.
2006-10-14 15:03:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
here
2006-10-14 14:35:53 · answer #8 · answered by ansoniahill93 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋