Common Ethical Questions and the Benefit of Consultation for Resolution

Common Ethical Questions and the Benefit of Consultation for Resolution

While writing my previous blog, which discussed the ethical considerations of family and marital counseling, I realized that counselors of this particular realm may often feel conflicted due to the nature of the ethical dilemmas that occur.  As a result of this realization, I wondered what ethical topics are the most common cause of conflict within counselors as well as what the professional can do if they cannot reach a satisfactory resolution on their own.   My query led me to an empirical article which examines common ethical dilemmas for which Norwegian psychologists utilized an anonymous telephone counseling service for consultation (Dalen, 2006).  

            Dalen’s (2006) study was simple in that anonymous data was collected from the telephone calls made to the Ethics Telephone Counseling Service (ETCS) that was developed by The Norwegian Psychological Association.  All callers were informed of the type of the data being collected, which included gender of caller, years since licensing, and the nature of the ethical concern (Dalen, 2006).  Information was collected from the ETCS for three years, from 2001 to 2003, and during that time 121 calls were made (Dalen, 2006). 

            The ETCS did not receive any calls regarding concern of competence, and Dalen (2006) suggests this is likely due to these types of concerns being discussed with colleagues.  The most common ethical dilemmas discussed with the ETCS were concerns of confidentiality, followed by concerns of respect, role conflicts, responsibility, and the proper handling of ethical dilemmas (Dalen, 2006).

Figure 1. Telephone Counseling

While Dalen’s (2006) study did not collect information regarding the helpfulness of the ETCS, I would venture to say that this anonymous service provides Nordic psychologists with numerous benefits.  The most obvious is the benefit of support.  For concerns that the professional wishes to discuss anonymously, the ETCS provides a support system that that is likely to contribute to the professional and psychological wellness of those with ethical concerns (as cited in Kassin, Fein, & Markus, 2014, p. 600).  Whether ethical concerns are discussed anonymously through a service like the ETCS or with a colleague, the consultation enhances the ethical decision making process.  Dalen (2006) cited a study conducted by Bowers and Pipes (2000) that determined why seeking consultation is helpful:

·         The discussion with a colleague may stimulate thinking enabling the psychologist to generate new ideas and options.

·         In discussion, one also receives feedback about the quality of one’s own ideas.

·         One can get new ideas and knowledge from the other person.

·         Discussion also helps one to be more aware of personal factors and conflicts that may influence the ethical decision-making process (p. 240).

The findings of Dalen’s (2006) study provide the basic information for further research on handling common ethical concerns encountered by the professional counselor.  The study leads me to conclude that the most common areas of ethical concern confronted by counselors are confidentiality, respect, role conflicts, responsibility, and proper handling of ethical concerns (Dalen, 2006).  If the professional cannot reach a satisfactory solution for their ethical concern, reaching out for support from another professional is likely to be helpful.

References

Dalen, K. (2006). To tell or not to tell, that is the question: Ethical dilemmas presented by Norwegian psychologists in telephone counseling. European Psychologist, 11(3), 236-243. doi:10.1027/1016-9040.11.3.236

Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H.R. (2014).  Health and Well-Being.  Social psychology (9^th ed.).  Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Telephone  Counseling [JPEG Image file].  Retrieved from URL (http://www.israellewis.com/index.htm?http%3A//www.israellewis.com/services.htm).