Ethics Project
Ethics Project
Ethics Project
PROJECT 2 ( 30%)
Prepared by :
NAME ID NUMBER COURSE SIGNATURE
Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 1
Content........................................................................................................................................
Background of Counsellor................................................................................................... 2
Objectives of Interview........................................................................................................ 2
Summary of Interview..........................................................................................................3
List of Questions.................................................................................................................. 7
Discussion....................................................................................................................................
Implication........................................................................................................................... 9
Suggestions.........................................................................................................................11
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................14
Reference.................................................................................................................................15
Appendix................................................................................................................................. 17
Introduction
Ethics means moral principles that control or influence a person’s behavior, a philosophical
discipline that is concerned with human conduct and moral decision making. According to
Akinade (2005), ethics are normative in nature and focus on principles and standards that
govern relationships between individuals, such as counselors and clients. The ethics code
provides a common set of principles and standards upon which counselors build their
professional and scientific work. Counselors, like all professionals, have ethical
responsibilities and obligations. The principal rule supporting ethical obligations is that the
counselor must act with full recognition of the importance of the client’s rights and the ethics
of the profession. Counseling is not a value-free or neutral activity (Grant, 1992). “It is a
profession based on values, which are orienting beliefs about what is good and how that good
should be achieved” (Bergin, 1985), the relationship of moral standards and values,
individual or cultural, in the life of that client.
The cornerstone of ethical counseling lies in the establishment of trust between the
counselor and the client. Confidentiality, a fundamental ethical principle, underscores the
need for clients to feel secure in sharing their most intimate thoughts and emotions
(Denkowski & Denkowski, 1982). However, this commitment to confidentiality is not
absolute, as counselors must navigate a delicate balance between preserving client privacy
and addressing potential harm. Striking this equilibrium requires careful consideration of the
duty to warn and protect, especially when clients pose a threat to themselves or others.
Another paramount concern in counseling ethics is the dual relationship dilemma Schneiders
(1963). Counselors are often tasked with managing multiple roles, such as teacher,
supervisor, or even friend, outside of their counseling role. Negotiating these dual
relationships requires heightened self-awareness and a commitment to maintaining
professional boundaries.
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interventions, and the limits of confidentiality. The digital age has introduced novel ethical
challenges in counseling, with the use of technology expanding the therapeutic landscape.
Teletherapy, online counseling platforms, and the use of electronic communication create new
considerations for confidentiality, security, and boundaries. Counselors must stay abreast of
evolving technological trends and ethically navigate the digital realm to ensure the safety and
well-being of their clients Welfel (2002).
Content
Background of Counsellor
Puan Rusydiah binti Ahmad Fauzan is a certified counsellor with 13 years of experience in
the mental health field. She holds a Bachelor in Counselling and Guidance and a Masters
from International Islamic Malaysia University, which illustrates her strong academic
foundation. Throughout her extensive career, she has demonstrated versatility by contributing
her expertise to various professional settings, including community mental health centres
during her study time and a few educational institutions. Now she has been working at SMK
Orkid Desa as a senior counsellor for the past 4 years.
Given the fact that she is dealing mostly with students, she specialises in areas such as
anxiety and stress management, relationship issues, and personal growth that mainly focus on
student wellbeing. Her specific therapeutic approach is mainly cognitive-behavioural
therapy, enriched by elements of mindfulness and solution-focused techniques. This allows
her to tailor her interventions to the unique circumstances of each student and according to
her Cognitive behavioural therapy works best in the context of school and students
Objectives of Interview
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II. To examine the counsellor's awareness and commitment to maintaining
professional boundaries, encompassing dual relationships and the implications of
boundary violations.
Questions delve into the counsellor's approach to issues like self-disclosure, physical
contact, and the ethical use of technology (Corey et al., 2023). This evaluation ensures
the counsellor understands the significance of maintaining boundaries to protect client
well-being and uphold the integrity of the therapeutic process.
Summary of Interview
The interview session with Puan Rusydiah was about an hour in the school counselling room.
The modality chosen for this session was physical, enhancing the ease with which
information was gathered. Therefore, it was easier to interview and extract the needed
information. Below, we provide an overview of a set of questions directed to Puan Rusydiah,
accompanied by a summary of her responses to each question. These summaries aim to
provide an insight into her counselling experience and perspectives :
Question 1
Aside from the consent form, how do you ensure confidentiality and privacy for your
clients during counselling sessions?
Puan Rusydiah explained that, in addition to the consent form, she establishes a secure and
private environment within the counselling space. She communicates strict confidentiality
policies at the start of each session, assuring clients that their information won't be disclosed
without explicit consent. She also emphasises self control and being mindful when she shares
the information about her client and making sure she does not open up about her clients cases
to the other staff.
Question 2:
How do you maintain boundaries and avoid any potential dual relationships with clients?
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avoiding social media connections. She ensures that her relationship with clients, specifically
as a counsellor, remains confined to the school setting, with no additional meetings or
discussions taking place outside the counselling room. Puan Rusydiah acknowledges the
significance of setting clear boundaries to prevent dual relationships and mentions that she
has declined offers from students to establish friendships beyond the counselling sessions,
even when conducted within the school premises.
Question 3:
Can you describe your process for obtaining informed consent from clients before
beginning counselling?
She described her process for obtaining informed consent, emphasising that it's thorough and
ongoing. Before counselling begins, she provides clients with detailed information about the
process, its goals, and the boundaries of confidentiality. Continuous consent is maintained
throughout the therapeutic journey. However, based on her experiences there are some
students who can be very resistant and they get tense when they see the Informed Consent
form, therefore she said that she would build her rapport first with the client during the first
few sessions then only explain about the confidentiality. This step is taken to avoid the client
being scared or tensed when it comes to confidentiality.
Question 4:
How do you handle situations where a client expresses harm to themselves, others, or
yourself?
Puan Rusydiah explained that if a client expresses harm to themselves, others, or to her, she
follows established protocols for risk assessment. Her primary responsibility is ensuring
safety, which may involve contacting emergency services or collaborating with other
professionals to develop a safety plan. In the context of school, she as the counsellor of the
school is also tied with the school protocol whereby she has to inform the right authorities
first. Due to the fact that she is dealing with minors she has to inform the clients parents
before taking any further steps. In this case, according to her experience that she had with
clients who self harmed, she reported the situation to the Higher Management of the school
first and followed up by reporting it to the parents of the student.
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Question 5:
What measures do you take to stay updated on ethical guidelines and standards in the field
of counselling?
Puan Rusydiah said that staying current on ethical guidelines is integral to her practice. She
actively participates in professional development, attends workshops, and engages with
literature on counselling ethics. She also mentioned that referring back to the “Panduan
Pelaksanaan Perkhidmatan Bimbingan dan Kaunseling di Sekolah Rendah dan Menengah”
manual provided by the Ministry of Education is definitely one of the ways to stay updated
on the ethical guidelines.
Question 6:
How do you address potential conflicts of interest that may arise in the counselling
relationship?
Puan Rusydiah explained that in cases of conflicts of interest, she prioritises the client's
well-being. Transparency is key, and she openly discusses conflicts, seeking the client's input
on how to proceed. If necessary, she may involve a supervisor or consult with colleagues for
an ethical resolution. Based on her experience, students usually resist having counselling
sessions due to the fact that they are afraid to open up about their issues, however she
mentioned that it's the counsellors job to make them feel safe and reroute back their thoughts
to align their interest. On the other hand, she also gave advice to the counsellors whereby it's
always important to engage in regular self-reflection to assess our motivations, biases, and
any personal feelings that may arise in the counselling relationship. She mentioned that
awareness of personal dynamics is crucial in preventing and addressing conflicts of interest
with the client.
Question 7:
Can you share your perspective on the appropriate use of technology/medium, such as
online counselling platforms, while maintaining ethical standards?
Puan Rusydiah stressed that the security and privacy of clients' information is her first
priority when utilising technology or online platforms. Therefore in order to avoid further
complications she completely avoids using online mediums to conduct counselling sessions.
However during the pandemic she only had online platforms to connect with the students and
she faced a lot of problems both from the counsellors side and the client's side. For example it
was hard for her to explore deeper on the issue, and also there was lack of privacy when
conducting the online sessions.
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Question 8:
How do you ensure that your personal values and biases do not interfere with the
counselling process, and how do you remain non-judgmental?
Puan Rusydiah explained that to ensure her personal values and biases don't interfere with the
counselling process, she engages in continuous self-reflection. Mindful of how her beliefs
may impact the therapeutic relationship, she commits to providing a non-judgmental space
for clients and seeks supervision and consultation for additional objectivity. However her
years of experience also plays a role in this case, she said earlier it was very hard for her to
control her personal values and biases and it did interfere with the counselling process.
However through practice over the years she has the ability to control her values and biases.
One way she said it is basically confronting our personal values and beliefs, therefore we
would be able to analyse and rationalise it back.
Question 9:
How do you think ethics play a role in a successful counselling session?
Puan Rusydiah explained that ethics forms the foundation of a successful counselling session.
It establishes trust, ensures the client's well-being is prioritised, and provides a framework for
maintaining professionalism. Following ethical principles promotes a safe and supportive
space for clients to explore and navigate their challenges. She said that by following the
ethical guideline, we as counsellors can avoid common issues like dual relationship,
confidentiality, being culturally sensitive and also respecting clients autonomy.
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List of Questions
During the interview session, we asked Puan Rusydiah several questions regarding issues and
ethics related to her expertise. The following questions were asked:
Question 1:
Aside from the consent form, how do you ensure confidentiality and privacy for your
clients during counseling sessions?
Building trust with the client during the session requires maintaining confidentiality and
privacy (Knight & Papanikitas, 2018). It can be beneficial for counsellors to find different yet
effective ways to gain the clients’ trust so that their vulnerability will not be taken advantage
of. As a result, they are able to open up and explore their innermost thoughts and feelings.
Question 2:
How do you maintain boundaries and avoid any potential dual relationships with clients?
Dual connections can impair impartiality and create conflicts of interest, putting the client at
risk (Hayes et al., 2018; Cohen-Filipic, 2015). Taking care of this assures that the counselor's
attention is exclusively on the client's well-being.
Question 3:
Can you describe your process for obtaining informed consent from clients before
beginning counseling?
Informed consent is both an ethical and legal obligation. It ensures that clients understand the
nature of counselling, the pros and cons, and the counselor's approach during the session.
Therefore, counsellors should have an understanding of how to appropriately obtain informed
consent, as it displays respect for the client's autonomy and the freedom to make decisions
related to their treatments or interventions.
Question 4:
How do you handle situations where a client expresses harm to themselves, others, or
yourself?
It is essential for the well-being of all parties involved to have a plan in place for dealing with
circumstances in which clients may harm themselves or others. Understanding this can help
the counsellor to be better well-equipped when faced with such predicaments.
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Question 5:
What measures do you take to stay updated on ethical guidelines and standards in the field
of counseling?
Ethical guidelines change over time, so finding ways to stay up-to-date with ethical
guidelines and standards shows a dedication to upholding professional standards and
competency, as well as providing the best possible service to clients.
Question 6:
How do you address potential conflicts of interest that may arise in the counseling
relationship?
Conflicts of interest can get in the way of achieving a therapeutic relationship (Fink, 2020).
To avoid this, counsellors should find ways to identify and manage the issues appropriately in
order to not hinder the therapeutic relationship.
Question 7:
Can you share your perspective on the appropriate use of technology/medium, such as
online counselling platforms, while maintaining ethical standards?
Online counselling platforms are becoming the norm. Counsellors should have an
understanding of protecting clients' data to ensure that their information stays protected from
any form of breach.
Question 8:
How do you ensure that your personal values and biases do not interfere with the
counselling process, and how do you remain non-judgmental?
In order to keep their own beliefs and prejudices from impacting the counselling process,
counsellors need to be mindful of their personal values. If the counsellor has the knowledge
to maintain a non-judgmental and culturally aware approach, it can help clients experience
acceptance through unconditional positive regard, which fosters an atmosphere that
encourages development (Farber et al., 2018).
Question 9:
How does ethics play a role in a successful counselling session?
This can help teach the client the understanding of a successful counselling session, such as
building confidence, surrounding oneself in a safe space, and helping the client be
knowledgeable of the treatments or interventions that they will receive.
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Discussion
Implication
From the interview conducted, three common ethical issues were discussed and its
significance for the counselling field ensure the competency of the practising counsellors
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an important aspect of counselling and is seen to be the foundation of the
field. Confidentiality is established in order to protect the client’s privacy and safety. In the
interview, the counsellor mentioned prioritising confidentiality and striving to establish a
secure and private environment for the clients. The counsellor explained that confidentiality
is an ongoing process starting from the first session until the last session therefore it must be
done thoroughly as in order to gain trust of the clients. The counsellor also mentioned that
she emphasised on self-control and mindfulness when disclosing information regarding the
clients. School counsellors commonly face dilemmas in maintaining confidentiality
especially when administration and parents are involved therefore school counsellors need to
exercise careful and well-informed judgement in making their decisions (Lazovsky, 2008).
Therefore having self-control is a must for a counsellor.
Professional boundaries
Boundaries in psychotherapy refer to issues of self-disclosure, length and place of sessions,
physical touch, gifts, bartering, activities outside the office (Zur, 2019). As mentioned in the
interview, the counsellor emphasises on professional boundaries and refrain herself from
engaging into activities that could lead to dual relationships. Engaging in conversation that is
out of the school settings could lead to dual relationships. Even in school, non-professional
conversation with the clients could be harmful to the counsellor-client relationship. Meetings
should be strictly conducted in the counselling room only. Boundaries play a vital role in
counselling in order to protect the client and the counsellor. Recent years have included an
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extension of boundaries which is known to be digital boundaries (Zur, 2019). This includes
any form of social networking between a client and counsellor (Zur, 2019). The counsellor
mentioned that she avoids engaging with clients social media in order to prioritise
boundaries. This indicates that digital boundaries should be considered as a counsellor as an
experienced counsellor takes measures to avoid violating boundaries.
Client’s autonomy
Client’s autonomy should be prioritised in any form of decision-making, counselling is a
freely chosen service that clients seek, and clients undergo such treatment knowing that
ultimately they are responsible to embrace the services of counsellors, who presumably act in
their best interests (Cottone, 2014). As mentioned in the interview, the counsellor explained
when faced with clients harming themselves or others, she will act according to the client’s
autonomy which is for their safety. She also follows the appropriate procedures and informs
the administrator and parents will also be mindful of the clients issues.
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Suggestions
The proactive integration of ethical principles not only safeguards the well-being of
the students entrusted to their care but also fosters a climate of trust and integrity within the
educational institution. By making the ACA Code of Ethics a living document in their
professional journey, school counsellors, such as Nancy (2009) suggests, solidify their role as
ethical stewards. Regular reviews of the code, coupled with an ongoing commitment to
staying abreast of ethical standards, position counsellors as ethical leaders within the school
counselling setting. This diligent approach ensures that the principles enshrined in the ACA
Code of Ethics transcend being mere guidelines, becoming an integral and lived aspect of the
counsellor's professional identity as they navigate the intricate ethical terrain within
educational institutions.
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ongoing self-assessment and improvement, allowing counsellors to integrate professional
growth into their core identities. Deliberate practice, which involves individualised coaching,
repetition, and solo practice, can be used as a framework to enhance the effectiveness of
counsellor education and supervision practices (Zach, 2011). It provides a unified approach to
teaching and supervision, emphasising repetitive practice and individualised feedback. By
incorporating supervision and mentorship into their professional development, counsellors
can develop and maintain their counselling skills, ultimately improving their effectiveness in
working with clients.
Reflective Practice
Reflective practice stands as an indispensable cornerstone for counsellors seeking to maintain
professionalism and uphold ethical standards in their dynamic and intricate field. Rooted in
critical evaluation, this intentional process allows counsellors to systematically analyse their
experiences, learning from both positive and negative encounters to fuel personal growth and
elevate their professional practice, as underscored by Samantha (2018). Moreover, reflective
practice, according to Barbara (2015), serves as a potent tool for enhancing self-awareness
among counsellors. By encouraging a deep examination of emotions, values, and underlying
assumptions, counsellors can bring these elements to the surface, fostering a heightened
sensitivity and cultural competence in their interactions with clients.
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Self-talk
The art of self-talk in counselling is classified as one’s internal conversations. Self-talk can
give direction and guidance during the counselling process, which can aid counsellors in
understanding the circumstances that arise before, during, and after the counselling process.
This act of intrapersonal communication will sanction oneself, in this instance, a counsellor,
allocate proper counselling services and guidance towards the client on hand. This aptitude is
essential since the difficulties and issues that clients deal with as counselees are quite
complicated and call for a very unique set of abilities and mental capabilities in order to set a
strict covenant and a successful symposium between both parties. ‘Such skills include how
pre-service counsellors control themselves and thoughts to sincerely understand counselees
and accept counselees unconditionally.’, (Aryudho, 2018). Pre-service counsellors must be
able to control both positive and negative verbal thought patterns in order to manage coping
self-talk. Pre-service counsellors can assist clients in a suitable manner if they possess the
skills to manage their own self-talk.
Based around the idea of school related counselling which directly links to the topic
of interview, self-talk is often proven to be an effective strategy in the world of education and
school counselling. It could enhance and revamp academic performance primarily in students
with learning disabilities and difficulties from both internally and externally. In addition, by
having a counsellor who actively engages and encourages the pupils in the act of
intrapersonal communication, it is widely proven that these pupils have shown a significant
amount of improvements in task completion, engagement, and towards on-task behaviours.
This particular strategy has an amplitude of effects on one’s self-confidence, persistence and
most importantly, self-awareness. Nonetheless, it is crucial for both receiving and giving
parties in the world of counselling to participate in ‘self-talk’ as a normalcy in their daily life
in order to give a better understanding as a certified respected counsellors towards a needing
client.
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Conclusion
To conclude the journey of this report, it is absolutely necessary to highlight the importance
of ethics in board certified counsellors no matter the positions and responsibilities withheld.
As it is evident, a board certified counsellor has their own ethics that are crucial for them to
abide by as a whole and in a professional setting. According to the ACA Code of Ethics
Section A.1. Client Welfare, Subsection A.1.a. Primary Responsibility, The primary
responsibility of counsellors is to respect the dignity and promote the welfare of clients, it
signifies the importance of ethics in each counsellors and their integrity.
By abiding by these codes and regulations, counsellors are able to facilitate client
growth and development in ways that foster the interest and welfare of clients and promote
formation of healthy relationships. Both therapists and counsellors deal with a variety of
challenging and delicate issues on a regular basis. Having said that, the client in session is
now in a precarious situation as an outcome. Counsellors are supposed to act morally, which
includes abiding by the concept of an ethical framework.
It is also important to take into account that each and every client is unique and full of
quirks, thus, each approach of every counsellor should be different, lighthearted and distinct
while also adhering to the Counsellors Code of Ethics Guidebook. Last but not least, it is
pivotal to highlight that counsellors play a huge role in a client’s life, if failed to abide by the
proper regulations, it might greatly affect the greater good of their clients wellbeing both
mentally and physically, during or after a session.
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Appendix
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Photo 3: After the interview session with Puan Rusydiah
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