Scenario Analysis

Directions: Read the scenarios below. For each scenario, provide a 75-150 word response to each question. Use the ACA and NAADAC Codes of Ethics and other scholarly resources to support your responses. You must provide at least one citation to support your response for each scenario. Citations and references should be presented in accordance with APA guidelines.

Scenario One:  Barbara is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) working for a nonprofit social service agency. Many of the clients in the agency are female domestic violence victims. The director of the agency has asked Barbara to develop a counseling group to serve the needs of these individuals.

Question 1: What ethical matters should Barbara consider as she plans this group?

Question 2: What methods should Barbara use to ensure confidentiality in the context of group counseling?

Question 3: If breaches of confidentiality occur, how should Barbara manage them?

Scenario Two: David is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) working for a family counseling center. Steve, one of his adult clients, would like to begin couples counseling with his wife.

Question 1: What ethical matters should David consider before beginning to see Steve and his wife?

Question 2: What special issues of confidentiality may arise in the case? How should David address these issues?

Question 3: How might differences in personal values and gender/cultural issues create ethical dilemmas in this case?

Scenario Three: Stephanie is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who has decided to start a private practice. As she makes her plans, there are many ethical issues she must consider. While these issues are of concern to all counselors, she must consider how they specifically impact a counselor in private practice.

Question 1: How can she ethically handle limited resources, respond to discrimination, and promote community change?

Question 2: As a service provider, with what ethical issues and practices related to state insurance laws and managed care must she be familiar?

Question 3: What are the ethical obligations and limitations faced by a counselor who serves clients who have been the victim of discrimination, injustice, poverty, or lack of access to behavioral health services?