Ethical Considerations in Case A: Joey & EAP
The ethical issues in this case include:
Confidentiality and privacy: Joey’s fear of his boss finding out about his mental health condition raises concerns about the therapist’s duty to maintain client confidentiality.
Informed consent and permission: The boss contacting the therapist based on Joey’s disclosure during therapy brings up issues around obtaining proper consent and ensuring the client’s autonomy.
Dual relationships: The therapist potentially facing conflicting loyalties between maintaining the therapeutic relationship with Joey and responding to the boss’s request poses challenges.
The ethical challenge can be explained using the necessary elements of ethical codes and principles from the American Psychological Association (APA). In this case, the following principles are relevant:
Principle of Beneficence and Nonmaleficence: The therapist must act in Joey’s best interest by maintaining confidentiality and protecting him from potential harm that may result from his boss finding out about his mental health condition.
Principle of Autonomy: The therapist should respect Joey’s autonomy by obtaining informed consent before sharing any information with third parties.
Principle of Fidelity and Responsibility: The therapist has a responsibility to maintain trust and loyalty to the client by prioritizing confidentiality and privacy.
3a. How to respond to Frank:
As the therapist, it is essential to prioritize Joey’s rights and well-being while considering the legal and ethical obligations. Therefore, when responding to Frank’s call, I would:
Politely acknowledge Frank’s call and express gratitude for his concern about Joey.
Explain that due to confidentiality obligations, I cannot provide any information without Joey’s explicit written consent.
Offer general information about the therapeutic process and the importance of maintaining confidentiality to address Frank’s concerns without breaching confidentiality.
3b. Factors influencing the best course of action:
In making decisions, I would consider the following factors:
Legal requirements: Familiarize myself with local laws regarding confidentiality and disclosure of client information.
Professional ethical guidelines: Consult relevant ethical codes, such as APA’s Ethics Code, to ensure compliance with professional standards.
Organizational policies: Review the policies of the EAP and my workplace to understand any specific guidelines or procedures related to confidentiality and communication with employers.
Therapeutic relationship: Prioritize building trust and maintaining a therapeutic alliance with Joey by respecting his confidentiality and autonomy.
Client’s safety: Assess any potential risk to Joey if his boss is aware of his mental health condition and ensure appropriate safety measures are in place.
Relational ethics issues arise from the potential conflict between maintaining confidentiality, protecting Joey’s interests, and responding to the boss’s request. To address these issues, I would focus on:
Open communication with Joey: Discuss with Joey the situation regarding his boss contacting me and obtain his informed consent to share any information.
Transparency and honesty: Inform Joey about the boss’s call, highlighting my commitment to maintaining confidentiality unless he explicitly consents to sharing information.
Collaboration with EAP: Consult with EAP representatives or supervisors to seek guidance on how to navigate this situation while upholding ethical standards.
By considering these factors and attending to relational ethics issues, I aim to strike a balance between respecting client confidentiality, ensuring client welfare, and adhering to professional ethical guidelines.
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