Ethics: A fresh approach and a thoughtful discussion for the changing times

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Ethics: A fresh approach and a thoughtful discussion for the changing timesPresented by: Rich PontonJohn Sommers-Flanaganand You!IntroductionsRich

John

You2AssumptionsWeve all had courses and continuing education in ethics.We all know something about ethics.None of us know everything about ethics.Together we know more than any one us knows alone.

AND one more.counselors dont have to go lawyers to learn about ethicswe need to go to lawyers to learn about liability.3What Wont be HappeningWe wont tell you about all the ways you might get sued.We wont try to push an agenda from either end of the political spectrum.We wont tell you horror stories about all the dumb things your colleagues have done.Then . . . you might be asking yourself . . . How is this going to be an ethics workshop?What We Hope for InsteadTogether we will have a conversation-Together we will explore the foundational issues of our professional ethics code(s) and personal ethical orientation(s).Together we will apply ethical thinking to our professional practice and the organizations in which we serve.Together we will share our knowledge, strengths, challenges and doubts. Together well engage in some interactive Q & A designed to elevate our ethical thinking

Program Goals and ObjectivesIdentify and apply three philosophical foundations for ethical decision-making.Identify three individual and three organizational characteristics that may interfere with their ethical decision making.Identify three organizational behaviors that will enhance ethical decision making

Your Ethical/Moral OrientationTime for some work

Please complete the Moral Orientation Questionnaire (Short Form)

Bonus Slide: Ethical/Moral OrientationsCharacter Ethics Aristotle What is a good person, and what does it take to become a good person?Deontological Ethics Kant There are moral duties that apply to all people in all times and places.Situation Ethics Fletcher The highest moral act in a given situation is based on selfless concern and compassion Utilitarian or Consequentialist Ethics Mill Given this morally demanding situation, what action will make things come out the best for the most people?Divine Command theory God said it. I believe it. That settles itHedonism or Egoism Morality as individual achievement and things will work outEthics of Care Act in ways that enhance healthy, connected, human relationshipsBonus Slide II: Ethical/Moral OrientationsWhats Your Deeper Bottom Line?

Common Good vs. Whats Good for You

Keep in mind the ways that you (and the counseling profession) keep yourself (or keep ourselves) focused on whats best for clients.

In many ways, your philosophy is your strategy for reminding yourself to do whats right.Question For RichHow do you think the ethical codes of the AMHCA and ACA reflect the relationship of the profession to society?

Question for JohnWhat are your thoughts on the new statement of core professional values of the counseling profession in the 2014 ACA Code?ACA Core Valuesenhancing human development throughout the life span;honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts;promoting social justice;safeguarding the integrity of the counselorclient relationship; andpracticing in a competent and ethical manner.Question For RichHow would you describe the differences between the ACA Code and the AMHCA code?Question for JohnWhat do you see as some of the problems and limitations of ethics codes in general and the ACA and AMHCA codes in particular?Cant be specific; shouldnt be specific; attorneys and specificity; must be general, the devil is in the application; the Brits went with five principles and required supervision; no standards of practice; no coverage of children and very little guidance on custody evaluations. 14Question For RichCan you talk about the situations when laws, ethics, and company policy collide?Question for JohnHow can we better understand the inter-relationships between our ethical/moral orientation(s), our ethical fears and anxieties, and the ethical codes?

The Ethics Word Association Game

The codes and principles help us function on the basis of positive principles or aspirations . . . Instead of self-protection or fear.16Question For RichWhen we look at bad behaviorin society and in counselinghow does that happen?Question for JohnDiscuss the new technology section in the ACA code in general and the social media section in particular. How do these new sections align with the foundational moral/ethical orientations? Social media is boundaryless. Friending a client may not cause harm; a pattern of friending clients can take us closer to the edge of doing harm more often. Where are you licensed? Where is your client? Confidentiality and security. Self-protection . . . What can your clients know about you? That youre here today? How much your home is worth? What do you find when you google yourself? 18Question For RichCan you talk about organizational ethics.how does the counselor-manager promote ethical behaviors of the organization and in the organization.Question For Rich and JohnAre you happy with the ethical IQ of the counseling profession?Boiling it DownClosing CommentsWhat do you want to remember from our time together?

What ethical anxieties will you leave behind?

What counseling ethical guidelines make you proud to be a counselor?