- PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

   Learning from the Past to Enhance the Future: Ethics Issues and Training Needs of Rural Counseling Practitioners

Jane WarrenAmanuel Haile AsfawAvis GarciaUniversity of WyomingProfessional Studies DepartmentCounselor Education Program Slide2

Research TeamJane Warren-University of Wyoming-Department of Professional Studies - Counseling program

Amanuel Haile Asfaw- University of Wyoming-Department of Professional Studies - Counseling programCarrie Ahls - University of Wyoming-Department of Professional Studies -Counseling programJohnna Carlene Nunez -University of Wyoming-Department of Social Work programJennifer Weatherford -University of Wyoming-Department of Professional Studies-Educational Research

program Noor Syamilah Zakaria - University of Wyoming-Department of Professional Studies - Counseling programSlide3

OutlineIce breaker-Your most difficult ethical challenge this last year Ethics in counseling

Ethics challenges in rural settings Our researchRelevance of our researchApply to your own wellnessApply to your ethical challengeDialogue Slide4

The Best of Times-The Worst of Times…Imagine for a few minutes your most difficult ethical challenge you had this yearWhat made it difficult?

What did you do?Slide5

The Best of Times-The Worst of Times…Share your insights with someone next to you…Brief discussion…Slide6

Ethics in CounselingProfessional—to profess to do (Ponton

& Duba, 2009)Ethics make a profession, a profession… Slide7

Ethics in CounselingCounseling defined (ACA)Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

…..a basic framework and that each participating organization is welcome to add a statement that fleshes out the particular specialty or area of focus.Slide8

Ethics in CounselingEthical PracticeACA Codes-APGA-1961-Ist codes

5 revisions since 1961 ( every 7-10 years)March 2014 most recent changesWhy???Slide9

Ethics in CounselingACA 2014 Code of Ethics: Nine Sections

Section A: The Counseling RelationshipSection B: Confidentiality and PrivacySection C: Professional ResponsibilitySection D: Relationships With Other ProfessionalsSection E: Evaluation, Assessment, and InterpretationSection F: Supervision, Training, and TeachingSection G: Research and PublicationSection H: Distance Counseling, Technology, andSocial MediaSection I: Resolving Ethical Issues Slide10

Ethics in CounselingSix Functions of 2014 Codes

1. Sets forth the ethical obligations of ACA members and provides guidance intended to inform the ethical practice of professional counselors. 2. Identifies ethical considerations relevant to professional counselors and counselors-in-training.3. Enables

the association to clarify for current and prospective members, and for those served by members, the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by its members.

4.

Serves

as an

ethical guide

designed to assist members in constructing a course of action that best serves

those

utilizing counseling services and establishes expectations of conduct with a primary emphasis on the role of

the

professional counselor.

5.

Helps

to

support the mission of ACA

.

6. The standards contained

serve

as the

basis for processing inquiries and ethics complaints

concerning

ACA membersSlide11

Ethics in CounselingProfessional Values-2014 Preamble

Professional values are an important way of living out an ethical commitment. The following are core professional values of the counseling profession:1. enhancing human development throughout the life span;2. honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts;3. promoting social justice;4. safeguarding the integrity of the counselor–client relationship; and5. practicing in a competent and ethical manner.Slide12

Ethics Challenges in

Rural Settings Research has identified:dual relationships, multiple roles, unique community standards, isolation, lack of access to training and supervision,

given cases for which they are not prepared,role conflicts,inconsistencies,idiosyncratic choices in such ethical practices as confidentiality and informed

consent,

burnout/self-impairment. Slide13

Ethics Challenges: Errors Happen Strom-Gottfried (2003) Social

Workers (NASW)--Of 267 adjudicated cases, 107 involved sexual activity, 77 involved dual relationships, 70 involved other boundary violations, 55 involved failure to seek supervision, 41 involved failure to use accepted practice skills, 34 involved fraudulent behavior, and 33 involved premature termination. Trigg and Robinson (2013) found the most frequent ethical violations

were “practicing outside of the scope of one’s training and experience and practicing while impaired due to substance use or mental health matters” (p. 28), violations of

professional boundaries

(both nonsexual and sexual), and breaches of

confidentiality

. Slide14

The Research QuestionsIf there are ethical challenges in rural settings and research shows ethical errors occur, what might be the ethical challenges as reported by counseling practitioners in one rural

state? What would counseling practitioners in one rural state want for ethics training?Let’s ask the practitioners!Slide15

Our Research Through an exploratory survey in 2012 of a representative sample (n=316) of licensed and certified counseling and social work mental health professionals (N=1,324) in

Wyoming ethical issues and training needs were identified by the providers. The intended goal was to obtain direct feedback about ethical issues and ethical training needs from practitioners themselves who work in rural settings. Slide16

Our Research-The SurveyA brief demographic questionnaire Two

questions:The most difficult professional ethical dilemma or situation I have encountered in the last two years has been:______Two primary ethical trainings I would find to be most helpful in my practice are: self-care, boundaries, rules and regulations, malpractice, supervision, professional competency, risk management, end of life, suicide, duty to warn, confidentiality, diagnosis, spirituality, multicultural topics, and other.`Slide17

Results 316 (27%) responded to the survey—**

our distribution results of the survey sample (see Table 1-oour results) closely approximated the (12/29/ 2011 distribution of licensing and certification in the state…) CAPA- 23CAP- 62—3% (3%)

PAT- 13 LAT- 134-7% (3%)

CSW- 89

PCSW- 109

LCSW- 493—30

%

(29%)

PMFT- 16

LMFT- 93—5

%

(4%)

PPC- 168

LPC- 756—46

%

(47%)

CMHW- 18—.09%

1974 in total

 Slide18

Our Research FindingsEthical Issues

Three primary ethical issues: Dual relationships (19%)Confidentiality (19%)Competence (17% )Two additional findings regarding ethical dilemmas encountered were professional silence and supervision representing 10% and 9%, respectively. Slide19

Our Research FindingsEthical Training Needs

Three primary ethical training needs: Boundaries (12%) State Rules and Regulations (12%)Supervision (10%)One respondent stated, “I think in our state it is more difficult to maintain professional boundaries because of the closeness of our communities. For instance, in my neighborhood I am surrounded by former clients as neighbors.” Slide20

Summary The Two AreasEthical issues:Dual relationships (19%)

Confidentiality (19%)Competence (17% )TrainingBoundaries (12%) State Rules and Regulations (12%)Supervision (10%)Slide21

Relevance of Our Research

Fits with the ACA 2014 Ethics Codes Counseling relationship (A. 5. Prohibited Non Counseling Roles and Relationships-Managing Boundaries )Virtual relationshipsConfidentiality Competence

ImpairmentMonitor effectivenessConsult on ethical concernsContinued Education

Obtain ethical supervision (online and in person)Slide22

Relevance of Our Researchfor Counseling Ethics Education

Educate about rules and changes in codesProvide more training for supervisors and supervisionIncrease boundary education on all levelsIdentify the many challenges, choices, and requirements in confidentiality

Understand the ethical issues faced by rural practitioners may be different than urban—and design programs accordingly. Slide23

Relevance of Our ResearchFor Our Profession Promote

dialogue among practitioners about ethical challenges and actionsEncourage compassion for practitioners Promote wellness for all counseling practitioners Slide24

Relevance of Our Research for Existing Ethics EducationInform Licensing Boards

Make Continuing Education Relevant Listen to PractitionersMissing: Multicultural needs (last item mentioned for training)Slide25

Apply to Your Ethical Challenge

What have you learned and what might you do now differently, if anything?DialogueSlide26

Questions/DiscoveriesSlide27

ReferencesHarrison, R. L., & Westwood, M. J. (2009). Preventing vicarious traumatization of mental health therapists: Identifying protective practices. Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 46, 203-219. doi

: 10.1037/a0016081Maltzman, S. (2011). An organizational self-care model: Practical suggestions for development and implementation. Counseling Psychologist, 39, 303-319. doi: 10.1177/0011000010381790.