Case Vignette Essay

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Case Vignette 1 My first reaction to the case you presented to me was: You have given the clients a reduced fee due to a financial hardship, yet the mother and daughter arrive at a subsequent session excited about new, expensive purses. Since it is not indicated in the case where the purses came from, my observation would include the ‘hmmmm’ factor, which is human. Followed by the immediate recognition that I do not know if it was a gift, a bargain found at Goodwill or a garage sale, a serious discount from a store, or did they go shopping and spend money on designer bags from the Galleria, despite being in a financial hardship. So, before passing a true judgment, I would need to know where the purses came from and if the husband is now newly employed. I would address this issue during the session. As for any ethical/legal violations committed in this case, I would have to note that it depends on the origin of the handbags. If they were a gift, a lucky day at the Goodwill or a garage sale, or a put on clearance, then no ethical or legal violations occurred. If the item was (free) a gift to them, then they did nothing wrong. If the item was a mere fraction of the sales price, again, they did nothing wrong. However, if it came to pass that they spent $500 on 2 purses, then flaunted them in your face, I would call that poor judgment and irresponsible spending. Not to mention, just plain stupid, since they know they are receiving a reduced fee, it is not wise to flaunt expensive items in front of the one offering you a discount, if they did indeed have a shopping spree at the Galleria. As for the legality, if the husband has found new employment and the purses were a treat from him for the new position, then they should notify you so that the fee portion of the contract could be revised to reflect the appropriate fee for services. The Texas Code of Ethics
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