Why Is the Initial Consultation so Important? What Factors Will an Ethical Therapist Cover at This Time?

Considering the ethical and legal issues within the therapeutic relationship, specifically concerning the case study to follow, a six-step ethical problem-solving model that Bond describes, derived from American sources (Paradise and Siegelwaks, 1982; Austin et al., 1990), cited in Bond (2015) would help a counsellor to think clearly and carefully towards managing difficult choices within dilemmas. Bond quotes:

In my opinion the beginning of the counselling session is one of the most important stage of the process, the client will be very nervous and will not fully trust the process they are about to embark on, their unknown journey they will be nervous. The Client may hold back what they are feeling until they have gained the trust of the counsellor, and know they are safe and in a confidential environment.

Forester-Miller and Davis’s (1996) ethical decision-making model suggests that the initial step in resolving an ethical dilemma is to first identify the problem and then clarify the nature of the problem. This entails gathering pertinent information that will help elucidate any potential ethical issues. One important matter to reflect upon is whether this dilemma is ethical, clinical, professional, legal or any combination of the aforementioned categories (Forester-Miller & Davis, 1996). Honing in on the nature of the ethical issue will provide some direction as to which avenues are the most applicable for the given ethical situation.

The nature of therapist-client relationship and understanding the therapist’s role is vital in making sure that the client’s rights are not jeopardized. The client must be willing to trust the therapist. The therapist can earn the trust of the client will confidentiality guidelines that are established by requiring informed consent. The therapist-client relationship is based on counseling approach as well as relationship with the client. The therapist’s role is to understand the client’s needs, help them get their needs met mentally, and to develop the proper plan that fits the client’s needs. The therapist must fully

Allowing for our ethical codes of conduct, if the client is someone we feel we can proceed with, then as always, the first stage would be to develop a good rapport and gain the clients trust to develop an honest and open relationship with them. The client centred approach as always is the best method for this – to put the client at ease in a non-judgemental space where they can express their emotions and explore what it is they want to achieve with therapy. In giving the therapist an

From the moment the client meets the therapist opinions are formed and assumptions are fashioned so first impressions are key. Appearance, speech pattern and body language are all areas to consider.

In this essay I am going to look at the importance and purpose of the initial consultation between the client and the therapist and what happens during this preliminary session. I will also cover the ethical definitions that will need to be explored and established, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the client and therapist.

In order to provide Manuel with the best therapeutic approaches, colleagues should be consulted, who are willing to question the intervention strategies from not only a therapeutic perspective, but also keeping in mind ethical and legal guidelines (McWhirter et al., 2013). One method of consultation that is proving to be helpful is the formation of consultations groups who “serve many functions for the clinician, including the development and refinement of therapeutic skills, assistance with case

As therapist try to carry on in an ethically, morally, and lawfully mindful way toward all persons in therapy, ethical practice requires that customers be unequivocally educated of and cooperatively agree to standards and strategies put into practice. On account of relationship-pertinent data, all persons ought to be unequivocally educated whether a strategy of revelation or non-divulgence will be maintained, and essential legitimate assents be put into place.

In chapter 3 it discusses what it means to be an ethical counselor and the ethical dilemmas that a counselor may face in their career. I aspire to be a competent, ethical counselor. When I began my journey of becoming a future counselor, I did not realize the growth that would happen within me. To be an ethical counselor it starts with figuring out who you are as a person. I am a recovering addict.

Becoming a competent ethical therapist is more than knowing the codes of ethics in his/her profession. It is about developing the knowledge and understanding about the code of ethics to make ethical reasoning within the confines of the AAMFT and laws so the practitioner can make the best determination or choice of what to do, especially when the laws and ethical rules become obscured making it difficult to adhered to the code (Gehart, 2014). Every practitioner should always abide by the law even if it conflicts with any part of the code of ethics. But, he/she must abide by the law

Clients must be able to trust the counselor and have faith in the therapeutic relationship if growth is to occur. Therefore, the counselor must take care not to threaten the therapeutic relationship nor to leave obligations unfulfilled. When exploring an ethical dilemma, you need to examine the situation and see how each of the above principles may relate to that particular case. At times this alone will clarify the issues enough that the means for resolving the dilemma will become obvious to you. In more complicated cases it is helpful to be able to work through the steps of an ethical decision making model, and to assess which of these moral principles may be in conflict. Ethical Decision Making Model We have incorporated the work of Van Hoose and Paradise (1979), Kitchener (1984), Stadler (1986), Haas and Malouf (1989), Forester-Miller and Rubenstein (1992), and Sileo and Kopala (1993) into a practical, sequential, seven step, ethical decision making model. A description and discussion of the steps follows. 1. Identify the Problem. Gather as much information as you can that will illuminate the situation. In doing so, it is important to be as specific and objective as possible. Writing ideas on paper may help you gain clarity. Outline the facts, separating out innuendos, assumptions, hypotheses, or suspicions. There are several questions you can ask yourself: Is it an ethical, legal, professional, or clinical problem? Is it a combination of more than

The therapist must be ready and able to accept the client positively for who they are, without disapproving their feelings, actions and personality. They should able to portray this to the client by developing their trust and willingly listen to them without interrupting, judging or giving advice. This positive attitude will create a non intimidatory atmosphere for the client allowing them to explore and share their feelings, circumstances, hostility and abnormalities without the fear of rejection by the therapist.

Sounds that can soothe the client are also used to reduce anxiety. Positive phrases are repeatedly spoken to inculcate optimism. Daily schedule should be made to do the job effectively. Establish a routine should be established. Reduce any kind of workload and do things that make you happy.

This initial process will also serve to allow the client to gain enough information about the practitioner that they feel comfortable and confident in their abilities to help them. This will be achieved through a combination of clear information given about the practice itself and the rapport and trust the client feels with the therapist. If there is no rapport or potential for a trusting relationship between the two, the therapy will be ineffective. It’s a therapist’s responsibility to know when they are not in a position to work with a client, for any reason.