It is important that information is only shared with people “who need to know”. If you are uncertain whether a person has a right to access information and is requesting information from you, always check with your supervisor or manager. In day to day communication it is strict policy of midstream that you do not discuss any important information about a clients lifestyle or regarding important information as this is their right to remain any of this information confidential and is part of the regulations of The Human Rights Act 1998. Information that has to be kept confidential on a day to day basis can be shared with agreed others on any other basis as a need to know basis, this is if ever an authoritative body needs to get involved such as social services, ambulance, police or any other multi-agency network. The agreed others in which confidential information can be shared on a need to know basis are: Work Colleagues, social workers, occupational therapist, GP, Speech and Language Therapist, Physiotherapist, pharmacist, nurse, special nurse, psychologist, psychiatrist, advocate, dementia care advisor or family and carers.
Although one ethical limitation of a counselor is that they are not able to prescribe medication, the counselor still plays a major role in the clients overall treatment, to include medication. The role of the counselor is to offer recommendations to the physician for medication use, constant consultation and screening of the client for the need for medication, monitoring and evaluation of effects of medication, education to clients and family members, and advocating for the client to the physician. It is also a counselor’s responsibility to inform the client of available treatment methods (King & Anderson, 2004). For example, if I am seeing a client for depression I would be legally responsible for informing the client about antidepressant medication used to treat depression in addition to possible counseling treatments to ensure the clients right to effective treatment. Because counselors are responsible for assisting physicians in ensuring the best possible care for the client, it is important that I familiarize myself with psychotropic medication.
The American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA) is a professional counseling association which also represents mental health counselors and this organization is also governed by a code of ethics which members are expected to follow in education, training, and practice. The code of ethics offered by the AMHCA is a guide to support and educate its members in making sound ethical decisions and to define ethical behavior (AMHCA, 2010). In my option, one of the greatest obstacles in the field of mental health counseling is the taboo associated with services based on cultural concerns. Once counselors have acquired the skills needed to communicate effectively with people
Each step must be properly documented as we know if it is not on paper it never happened. By documenting everything we protect the client, the agency, and our selves. Keywords: Protocol, document, confidentiality, standards Confidentiality in a Substance Abuse Treatment Setting: While there are many ethical dilemmas that can plague a substance abuse treatment center, confidentiality is one of the biggest issues counselors and agencies face these days. Patient confidentiality helps to establish the trust that is crucial in any therapeutic relationship involving practitioners and patients in drug treatment centers. Drug treatment centers must take into account that addiction is a multidimensional disorder.
Mental health practitioners have many functions and serve clients in a vast array of roles. This paper will discuss the historical treatment of those with mental health issues and transition into current trends in counseling, which include: mental asylums, outpatient counseling, managed care, integrative approach and virtual therapy. A discussion regarding the important elements of counselor identity, function and ethics as well as biblical and personal insights are also included. Keywords: counselors, mental health practitioners, avoiding harm History and Trends In Counseling Essentially all mental health practitioners, regardless of their area of concentration, have the same paragon, which is to help their clients accomplish their mental health goals (Rudow, 2012, p. 44). From today’s perspective, the early use of electroconvulsive therapy (which led to memory loss, fractured bones and other serious side effects) is considered draconian but during their era, clinicians used the technique in an attempt to help their clients achieve mental soundness.
4.) We will also define Mental Health counseling as “the provision of professional counseling services involving the application of principles of psychotherapy, human development, learning theory, group dynamics, and the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families and groups, for the purpose of promoting optimal mental health, dealing with normal problems of living and treating psychopathology.” (American Mental Health Counselors Association [AMHCA], 2011, pg. 2.) While on the surface these two definitions can be seen as identical with only the word choice separating them, it would seem that the underlying goal differs slightly with that of the Mental Health counselor seeking to treat the mental illness itself, and the MFT striving to treat the effects of the mental illness on not only the individual, but on those surrounding the individual. A fine distinction, but one with broad impact on the development of a counselor in training’s professional career, necessitating a focus on treating an illness or on managing the illness across several
Confidentiality is a demonstration of respect bestowed on the client by the counselor wherein information between the two will not be divulged by the counselor. Confidential communication exists usually by agreement where privileged communication does not inherently exist (Bersoff, 2008). Confidentiality is an ethical term referring to the fact that a therapist cannot reveal information, except in certain situations, a patient tells you in-session. Privacy is. All practioners need to comply with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule (Fisher, 2013).
A counselor must not disclose information about the client to anyone without the clients consent unless it is provided by the law. It is the Counselors duty to inform the clients with clear restrictions about confidentiality. Both ACA and AACC state that the restrictions of sharing disclosed information is if the client speaks of suicide, harming someone else or any abuse that they are made aware of. Another similarity between ACA and AACC is that all client information should be withheld in a safe place out
Abstract The American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) both provide guidelines for the education, care and protection of consumers and practitioners. Although the two organizations have several guidelines that are similar in nature (fees and pro bono contribution) they also present guidelines that are distinctly different (primary goal and ethical foundation). This document will elaborate on these similarities and differences as well as comparing the confidentiality, records, and sexual intimacy guidelines of each. American Counseling Association and American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics Comparison Similarities and Differences Similarities The American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) both seek to provide guidelines that will serve consumers while recognizing and protecting their dignity. The ACA (2005) Code of Ethics list this as a primary responsibility (p. 4) while the AACC (2004) Code of Ethics list it as a mission of the code (p. 4).
All communications are confidential, and should not be discussed with people not involved with the service user. Communication between work colleagues is essential, so that the service user has the best possible care, and all staff are aware of the current needs of the service user. 1.2 Explain how effective communication affects all aspects of the learner’s work within the care setting I communicate using: Service user record books, Talking with work Colleagues, Staff in the office and meetings with my Line Manager. Effective communication is important as it ensures that all information is clear, accurate, non-judgmental or opinionated and informative. This helps reduce the possibility of mistakes being made in the service users care and ensuring the correct care is given.