Introduction
Irma’s experience in her new role as a counselor in a community organization has brought up several significant ethical issues. From a practical and ethical perspective, the agency’s policy, which calls for an intake interview, diagnosis, and treatment plan all in one session, followed by a constrained number of future sessions, presents considerable obstacles.
Responses to Irma’s Concern and Difficulties with Ethics
Irma is fully justified in her worry. She recognizes the value of a thorough examination in accurately diagnosing clients and giving them the treatment they need as a responsible and ethical counselor. The HMO’s standards may have influenced the agency’s decision to prioritize expediency over a thorough evaluation and ethical client care (Jacobs et al., 2021). Due to the potential for compromising the standard of care and the respect for clients’ dignity and well-being—both essential elements in the NASW Code of Ethics—this raises ethical issues.
Justification of Diagnosis for Third-Party Payment
It is unethical for the policy to appear to be focused on securing third-party payment through quick diagnosis. Any diagnosis should have the client’s needs as its top priority rather than a sped-up amount. Consent that is fully informed and avoids conflicts of interest is stressed in the NASW Code of Ethics. These ethical norms may be broken, and the client may be taken advantage of if a diagnosis is used exclusively to obtain payment without a convincing professional explanation (Corey & Corey, 2020). Ensure that financial reasons do not precede the moral duty to provide adequate and appropriate care.
Irma’s Ethical Duties and Alternatives
Irma has a serious ethical conundrum. She has various ethical responsibilities if she stays true to her convictions regarding the unethical issues with the agency’s policies. She should first think about pushing for change within the organization. Her frank dialogue with her coworkers and superiors regarding her concerns could result in a review of the agency’s procedures. Irma can also get in touch with the HMO management to discuss the possibility of relaxing rules to put clients’ well-being first.
Irma’s attempts to influence change inside the organization are unsuccessful, and she cannot resolve the ethical issues. In that case, she can look for work at another organization that more closely reflects her personal and professional principles (Moon & Nolan, 2019). Her first duty is to the welfare of her customers, so she must work in a setting that enables her to give the best care possible.
Conclusion
Irma’s intense worries about the agency’s standards demonstrate her commitment to ethical counseling in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Her commitment to client well-being exemplifies social work’s fundamental values. Irma can advance the profession by following her ethical commitments in this challenging situation. Stoll, Müller, & Trachsel (2020).Irma may uphold the highest ethical standards as a responsible and caring counselor by prioritizing the NASW Code of Ethics. Her concern for customers’ welfare shows her commitment to the profession and helps sustain the counseling process’s integrity and effectiveness. Irma has become a formidable champion for her clients and has a social work ethic.
References
Corey, M. S., & Corey, G. (2020). Becoming a helper. Cengage Learning.
Jacobs, L. A., Kim, M. E., Whitfield, D. L., Gartner, R. E., Panichelli, M., Kattari, S. K., … & Mountz, S. E. (2021). Defund the police: Moving towards an anti-carceral social work. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 32(1), 37-62. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Moon, B. L., & Nolan, E. G. (2019). Ethical issues in art therapy. Charles C Thomas Publisher.
Litam, S. D. A., Ausloos, C. D., & Harrichand, J. J. (2021). Stress and resilience among professional counselors during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Journal of Counseling & Development, 99(4), 384-395.
Stoll, J., Müller, J. A., & Trachsel, M. (2020). Ethical issues in online psychotherapy: A narrative review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 993.
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