Counselor Showing Flexibility Would Respond To Tw

The standard in the ACA Code of Ethics that is most applicable is A.6.b, Extending Counseling Boundaries. In this situation, the counselor needs to consider the risks and benefits of extending the client’s counseling sessions to a park setting. If the counselor decides to meet with the client in the park, according to A.6.c, Documenting Boundary Extensions, the counselor is responsible for documenting the reasons for this decision, as well as the risks and benefits of this interaction.

2. The main ethical issue this role play illustrates is the concern of nonmaleficence. The counselor may cause harm to the client if they decide to meet outside of the counselor’s office by fostering a friendship in addition to a counseling relationship. As future clinicians, it is our responsibility to ensure professional boundaries are not crossed that could lead to multiple relationships with a client. Another concern that comes to mind is privacy. It is essential that counseling is done in a private location that is free of interruptions and bystanders. Conducting therapy in the park not only threatens the counseling relationship and boundaries, but also the element of confidentiality.

3. I believe the counselor agreeing to the client’s request is crossing boundaries. A counselor showing flexibility would consider rearranging the counseling room, or consider other arrangements that can be accommodated for in the office. My concern with this situation is that the client intends to have lunch with the counselor, which goes beyond the work of a counseling relationship and may lead to a more intimate relationship.

4. I would respond to the client by asking them how I can make them feel more comfortable in the office setting. I would want to know what is specifically making them uncomfortable in our current sessions and see if any accommodations can be made in the office. If the client did not like the structure of the sessions and wanted a more relaxed atmosphere, I could suggest rearranging the chairs to the client’s liking. I would tell my client the concerns I had over meeting in a public park and having a picnic, stressing the importance of not crossing boundaries and ensuring confidentiality.

1. In the movie “The picnic,” the ACA code of ethics Section A.6 that best applies to this scenario is A.6.b”Extending Counseling Boundaries” (ACA, 2014). The client, Lucia, requests the counselor to hold her therapy session outside the office and suggest the parking area where she can get to know the counselor, well. She even offers to bring lunch to the park.
2. The boundary issue, in this case, is the reason behind the client’s wish to have her therapy session held outside the office setting. The clients have a right to choose the way they want their counseling session conducted, and the counselors have a responsibility of considering the benefits and the risks of taking the counseling session beyond the public area (ACA, 2014). The motive behind the client’s wish to meet in an informal atmosphere determines the ethical issue in this scenario.
3. The therapist would start on a “slippery slope of psychotherapy” if he agrees on the client’s request. The fact that the clients state that she wants the session conducted in the park as she gets to know the counselor well indicates that her reasons for having an informal meeting are personal and not related to the therapy (Corey & Haynes, 2014). The counselor may have good intentions to help the client, but Lucia may still give more suggestion once she learns that the counselor can go by what she wants. Eventually, an intimate relationship will begin which will be a violation of the ethical code. I understand, as was mentioned in the movie that for some culture is not appropriate for women to be with the man alone. However, on the other side, I believe if they have this kind of issue than it would be more inappropriate to see women in public with another man.
4. As a counselor, if the client insists on having her sessions taken in the park, I will explain to her that another person, not necessarily a counselor has to accompany us to offer supervision as required in the counseling profession. The session must be documented to ensure that all that happens is in line with the requirement of the profession. If the client has no ill motive, she will agree to the request, but if she has an evil motive, then she will cancel the counseling session or prefer to have it conducted in the office setting.