PAPER

Your assignment should be a 23 page paper, not including the title and reference pages, and should include the following elements:

• Title page: Provide your name, title of assignment, course and section number, and date.
• Body: Answer all the questions in complete sentences and paragraphs.
• Your responses should reflect professional writing standards, using proper tone and language. The writing and writing style should be correct and accurate and reflect knowledge of the profession.
• Reference page: Sources listed in current APA format.
• Support the assignment with a source related to one of the decision-making models, at least one code of ethics in the psychology field, and one additional scholarly source.
• Use Arial or Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced and left aligned.
• Use standard 1″ margins on all sides.
• Use current APA formatting and citation style.

Ethical Decision-Making in Substance Use Counseling: The Case of Ms. Jackson

I. Introduction

• Ethical dilemmas frequently arise in substance use counseling when personal morals conflict with professional responsibilities.
• In this scenario, Ms. Jackson must decide whether to report a drug dealer after learning about her clients involvement in a situation that led to an overdose.
• This paper applies the Forester-Miller and Davis (2016) Practitioners Guide to Ethical Decision-Making Model to determine the most ethical course of action.
• A structured decision-making model is beneficial because it separates emotional reactions from professional ethical obligations (Forester-Miller & Davis, 2016).

II. Identification of the Ethical Decision-Making Model

Chosen Model:

Forester-Miller and Davis (2016) Practitioners Guide to Ethical Decision-Making Model

Why This Model Is Beneficial:

• Provides step-by-step structure for resolving ethical dilemmas.
• Encourages consultation and reflection.
• Helps counselors differentiate between personal values and professional ethics.
• Emphasizes alignment with professional codes of ethics (Forester-Miller & Davis, 2016).
• Reflection reduces impulsive decision-making influenced by emotion (Burkholder et al., 2020).

III. Step 1: Identify the Problem

• Core dilemma: Confidentiality vs. perceived duty to protect the community.
• Ms. Jackson knows the drug dealers identity through client disclosure.
• Mr. Anderson did not express intent to harm others or continue illegal activity.
• Police are investigating, but Ms. Jackson has no legal mandate to report.
• Ms. Jackson is experiencing moral outrage and emotional distress.
• Ethical issue: Would anonymous reporting violate confidentiality?

Reflection is critical at this stage because emotional reactions can influence ethical reasoning (Burkholder et al., 2020).

IV. Step 2: Apply the ACA Code of Ethics

A. Confidentiality

• ACA Code of Ethics (2014), Section B.1.c: Counselors protect confidential information.
• Disclosure is permitted only when there is serious and foreseeable harm or legal requirement (ACA, 2014).
• No evidence of imminent danger in this case.

B. General Ethical Principles

1. Autonomy

• Respecting Mr. Andersons right to self-determination (ACA, 2014).
• Reporting would undermine his trust and therapeutic agency.

1. Nonmaleficence

• Obligation to do no harm.
• Breaching confidentiality could harm the client legally and therapeutically.

1. Fidelity

• Maintaining trust and honoring commitments in the counseling relationship (ACA, 2014).
• Confidentiality is foundational to fidelity.

V. Step 3: Determine the Nature and Dimensions of the Dilemma

• Ethical dimension: Confidentiality vs. public safety.
• Legal dimension: No mandatory reporting requirement.
• Moral dimension: Personal sense of injustice regarding opioid crisis.

Cottone (2001) emphasizes that ethical decisions should be contextual and collaborative rather than reactive.

Consultation with a supervisor is recommended in the Forester-Miller and Davis (2016) model to ensure ethical compliance.

VI. Step 4: Generate Potential Courses of Action

1. Make an anonymous police report.
2. Maintain confidentiality.
3. Consult with supervisor or legal counsel.
4. Continue addressing substance use and relapse prevention.
5. Provide overdose education and harm-reduction strategies.

Structured decision-making prevents action based solely on personal values (Forester-Miller & Davis, 2016).

VII. Step 5: Consider Potential Consequences

If Ms. Jackson Reports:

• Possible violation of confidentiality (ACA, 2014).
• Damage to therapeutic relationship.
• Potential legal and professional consequences.
• Ethical complaint or licensure issues.

If She Maintains Confidentiality:

• Upholds ethical standards.
• Preserves trust.
• Continues treatment and support.
• Maintains professional integrity.

Value-based conflicts often occur when counselors personal beliefs conflict with ethical duties (Grunhaus et al., 2018).

VIII. Step 6: Evaluate and Choose the Best Course of Action

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Seek supervision for consultation.
• Continue therapeutic work and address safety planning.
• Monitor for any future threats of imminent harm.

There is no ethical justification to report under current circumstances (ACA, 2014; Forester-Miller & Davis, 2016).

IX. Personal Reflection

• My professional values emphasize protecting vulnerable individuals and supporting recovery.
• Personally, I would likely feel anger and concern due to the opioid crisis.
• However, ethical practice requires separating moral outrage from professional responsibility (Burkholder et al., 2020).
• As a behavioral health professional, I recognize that trust is central to effective treatment.
• I would prioritize confidentiality unless legally mandated otherwise.

X. Conclusion

• Ethical dilemmas require structured decision-making.
• The Forester-Miller and Davis (2016) model provides a systematic process.
• The ACA Code of Ethics prioritizes confidentiality unless serious and foreseeable harm exists (ACA, 2014).
• Ms. Jacksons most ethical action is to maintain confidentiality, consult supervision, and continue supporting her client.
• Ethical integrity sometimes requires tolerating personal discomfort to uphold professional standards.

References

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Author.

Burkholder, D., Hall, S. F., & Chao, R. C. (2020). The role of decision-making models and reflection in navigating ethical dilemmas. Counseling and Values, 65(1), 418.

Cottone, R. R. (2001). A social constructivism model of ethical decision making in counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 79(1), 3945.

Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. (2016). A practitioners guide to ethical decision making. American Counseling Association.

Grunhaus, D., et al. (2018). A counselor education case study: The counselor values-based conflict model in action. Counselor Education and Supervision, 57(1), 3448.*