COU101 Theories of Counselling Report 1 Sample

COU101 Theories of Counselling

Students are required to write a discussion of the ethical issues of the case (same as

Assessment 1A) for the counsellor to consider, including:

• confidentiality requirements

• the role of the counsellor

• dual relationships

• conflict of interest

• the age of the client

• the client’s individual needs

• if there are mandatory reporting requirements. If so, what are they?

Consider how your world view (attitudes, values & expectations) has shaped your thoughts.

Describe how your own values and preferences influence your approach to the client.

Consider these questions when discerning you own perspective:

• Do you think your client is “good”? or worthy?

• Do you like the client? Do you dislike them?

• Is this person similar to you? How?

• Do you feel compelled to help the client?

• What are your beliefs? (about the way people behave; things you think people “should” do; faith system/religion)

• What are your values? (What is important to you? How do you want people to see you?)

Use either the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Code of Ethics, or Code of Ethics and Practice of the ACA to inform your answer. Students are expected to use at least 5 credible sources as well as the textbooks to support written work.

Students are to use APA 7 format (double spacing, margins, introduction, sub-headings, conclusion, page numbers etc.) and referencing; both in-text and reference list.

Solution

Introduction

The daily responsibility of Lisa during evening time outlined a moving picture of loneliness and emotional eating. She wanted to take everyone in the family and move together but he couldn't do it. Also she finds herself alone in terms of cooking, eating food and also in pleasure. This narrative of Lisa's life makes a complicated interaction between fatigue and family dynamics where the intervention of counsellor become necessary.

Discussion

Ethical issues analysis as per Lisa’s case study

Confidentiality requirements

Lisa shared to her councillor on her struggle for her family life which is full of loneliness in terms of taking food and spending quality time with her family members, it must be kept confidential (Ewuoso, 2021). This information cannot be expressed to anyone without her consent which ensures her privacy. According to the case study it could be observed that Lisa is suffering from exhaustion, feelings of loneliness, and emotional eating. In this context, by providing sympathy to major issues of Lisa and assisting her coping up strategies, as a counsellor I can foster a healthier connection with prepared meals and handle their fundamental emotional requirement that drives her basic behaviour.

The role of the counsellor

The role of councillor for MBA assignment expert is to deliver a nonjudgmental and supportive position for Lisa to take a look at feeling and behaviour. Through guidance and empathetic listening that councillors help Lisa to understand her problem and challenges to help her for future personal growth along with the therapeutic relationship.

Dual relationships

In the perspective of Lisa’s case study it has been found that her connection with food shows an emotional trust for support and relaxation that occurred from her loneliness. The dual relationship has pinpointed these emotional events and also fostering self awareness to cope up with the healthier habits of life (Fu et al., 2020). It could be also mentioned that identifying specific grounds can encourage understanding and empathy, but addressing professional-level boundaries assures that unique experiences of Lisa and requires to stay more the focus within the therapy.

Conflict of interest

This situation has appeared when the interest of the councillor or any relationship hinders the client’s welfare intention. This is the result of an unethical practice which can break trust. This can also create a question about the integrity of the relationship.

The age of the client

From this incident we understand that Lisa is a middle-aged woman who is a working lady on the one hand and has to take all the responsibilities of the family on the other hand.

The client’s individual needs

Lisa is a lady like everyone else in society who has the same needs as five other people. As a working lady she cannot spend daytime with her family and kids. At night she wanted to spend time with everyone but he didn't get it, it was a source of sadness for him. But ultimately she doesn't get it.
If there are mandatory reporting requirements. If so, what are they?

According to the case study, mandatory requirements could be concerns over mental health analysis of Lisa, especially whether her habits of eating suggest possible issues with disordered eating patterns or emotional eating.

Values and preferences analysis as a counsellor

Do you think your client is “good”? Or worthy?

From the perspective of a counsellor it could be mentioned that I have to stop labelling clients as ‘good’. ‘bad’, or ‘worthy’. These kinds of subjective levels can be dangerous towards progress and self-esteem management. Initially, I tried to understand the feelings and behaviour of Lisa without judging her.

Do you like the client? Do you dislike them?

As per the regulation of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Code of Ethics, some personal feelings of disliking or liking a client are not required to be impactful upon their professional practice (Soma et al., 2020). In this context, it is effective to handle impartiality and deliver unbiased assistance to every client, without considering their personal feelings. As per the case study of Lisa, as a counsellor without any judgement I have to understand behaviour, emotion, and experience of Lisa. It is not the matter that, whether I like or dislike Lisa, it is my duty that I have to offer empathetic help to Lisa and allow her to address and explore her psychological problem in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner within the therapeutic connection.

Is this person similar to you? How?

The potential biases needs to be mitigated by any counsellor during taking of their clients. The perception of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Code of Ethics, is to recognise resemblance between the client or counsellor, such as experiences or personal characteristics (pacfa.org.au, 2024). According to the case study, if I want to explore similarities between Lisa and mine e,g. Loneliness or food for comfort, it is generally required to acknowledge the situation of Lisa but have to stay attentive not to let them get impacted by the therapeutic procedure.

Do you feel compelled to help the client?

From the perspective of the counsellor, fundamentally I have to be obligated to assist and support clients like Lisa. Moreover, this type of obligation is more associated with proper ethical guidance than personal enforcement. It is my ethics and duty to deliver effective and compassionate guidance while admiring the client's goals in therapy and autonomy.

What are your beliefs?

In each of the cases, the counsellor in queries attempted to refer the client to another counsellor, citing a values conflict based on their conveniently held convictions and beliefs (Societyforpsychotherapy, 2024). Beliefs have an uncertainty degree because many beliefs cannot be directly observed.

What are your values?

Common core values that are important for me will deal with social cohesion but can also create conflict. Some list of core values that inspires me are,

1. Altruism

2. Dependability

3. Integrity

4. Generosity

5. Courage

6. Gratitude

7. Well-being

8. Sustainability

Conclusion

It can be concluded in terms of Lisa’s narrative which highlights her loneliness within her family and emotional eating, though she has everything on her family. By accepting this her councillor guides Lisa towards self awareness and coping up good habits but she is unable to reach her goal despite several attempts.

References list

Ewuoso, C. (2021). Patient confidentiality, the duty to protect, and psychotherapeutic care: perspectives from the philosophy of ubuntu. Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics, 42(1), 41-59. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11017-021-09545-0

Fu, J., Liu, J., Jiang, J., Li, Y., Bao, Y., & Lu, H. (2020). Scene segmentation with dual relation-aware attention network. IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and
Learning Systems, 32(6), 2547-2560. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNNLS.2020.3006524
pacfa.org.au, (2024). Code of ethics https://pacfa.org.au/portal/Portal/Prac-Res/Code-of-Ethics.aspx

Societyforpsychotherapy, 2024. Ethics and Values in Psychotherapy. [online]. Available at: https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/ethics-and-values-in-psychotherapy/#:~:text=The%20Values%20of%20the%20Profession&text=Beneficence%20%E2%80%93%20

the%20obligation%20to%20provide,obligations%20and%20acting%20with%20integrity. [accessed 11.3.2024]

Soma, C. S., Baucom, B. R., Xiao, B., Butner, J. E., Hilpert, P., Narayanan, S., ... & Imel, Z. E. (2020). Coregulation of therapist and client emotion during psychotherapy. Psychotherapy research, 30(5), 591-603. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2019.1661541