The Ethics Corner
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In each publication of Professional Issues in Counseling, we will present an ethical case vignette and ask for feedback from the journal readers. Responses can be sent by e-mail to edu_msn@shsu.edu. The responses will be included in the next issue of piic. |
Case Vignette: |
You are currently working with a couple to help them strengthen their marriage. They say they are committed to each other and to making their marriage work. However, a few days after their last session you saw the wife having an intimate dinner with another man who is obviously more than just a friend. Your next session is coming up with the couple. What will you do with this information? How will you continue to offer them marriage counseling if one of them is having an affair? |
Responses to the Spring 2001 Vignette |
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Case Vignette: |
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A therapist/counselor has agreed
to lower fees for a family, because the father is the sole provider and
has just lost his job. After several sessions of lowered fees, the mother
and daughter come to a session and proudly display their new designer
purses which would each cost at least $250. The therapist is speechless
during this display but realizes that the financial situation must be
addressed with this family.
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| As the therapist - how will you approach this topic with the family? |
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ACA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (1995) specifically addresses
the importance of fees for services. It states that fees are to be openly
discussed and agreed upon before the therapeutic relationship commences.
A counselor who agrees to accept a different price for services from one
client than what is required from another is opening the door to the "slippery
rope" of ethics code violations. Haug (1999) states that most violations
of professional ethics are unintentional and perpetrated by generally
well-meaning counselors who lack education, supervision, self-awareness
or self-control. The counselor in this case has, through good intentions,
opened him/herself up for exploitation by being "nice" instead
of "professional". The best time to address the subject of payment for services, or any
change to the current arrangements, is at the very beginning of the session.
A possible approach might be: Mr. X, I feel it may be necessary to address
our payment agreement at this time. I am encouraged to note that, for
whatever reason, your financial situation has improved, and that our original
agreement of a lower fee for services may no longer be called for. Since
our relationship is essentially a professional one, the topic of payment
for services is one, which must be openly discussed and agreed upon by
both of us. Allow me to provide you with my fee schedule, which we first
discussed upon your initial session with me. As you can see, the regular
charge for a 75 min session is $x.xx. Is there any condition that I may
need to be aware of that would prevent you from being able to pay the
regular fee for service after today's session? If there is, perhaps then
I could refer to you a provider whose fee for services is within your
capacity to pay. Kristi A. Weaver, Graduate Student -Counseling and Personnel Services |