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3 pages/≈825 words
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Style:
APA
Subject:
Psychology
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
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Law and Ethics Vignette Paper#2 Psychology Essay Paper

Essay Instructions:

You will be required to complete a three-page response paper on a clinical vignette involving a legal and/or ethical issue in psychotherapy, resolving the issue by referencing current legal and/or ethical standards in the state of California. Your solution must specifically reference the California legal code related to the topic, the CAMFT or ACA Code of Ethics, or both. Included in your response will be personal reflections on the impact that your personal values and sense of self have on the professional decision-making process.
**Sara has been licensed as both a marriage and family therapist (MFT) and professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in the state of California for six years. During that time, she has grown increasingly interested in exploring spiritual and religious issues in therapy. Moreover, approximately four years ago, she had a very powerful conversion experience, believing that she had lived her life in sin, needed to repent of her sinful ways, and give her life to Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. After her conversion, she joined an evangelical church, and has actively served in a variety of roles. Because of her newfound faith in Christ, she believes that her job as a professional counselor is to witness to non-Christians in the counseling room. Due to this belief, she frequently finds herself shifting the conversation away from her clients’ mental health concerns and on to existential matters (e.g., God’s existence, the benefits of being part of the Body of Christ). At times, though, she notices that her clients seem a bit uncomfortable with her passionate presentation of the Bible. In fact, although many of her clients are self-described Christians, she has noticed an increasing number of cancellations and no-shows in her schedule.
The paper will be in APA 7 format, with a 3 pages of content, a Title page, and Reference page. No Abstract is needed.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Law and Ethics Vignette Paper
Student’s Name
Institution
Law and Ethics Vignette Paper
The practice of psychotherapy is significantly dependent on observing the laid down code of ethics. The ethics code guides professionals in deciding what is wrong and right in different situations. As described by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), it is essential that ethical behavior satisfies the judgment of both the individual therapist and his or her peers, which has to be consistent with established norms (CAMFT, 2011). As a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) and a marriage and family therapist (MFT), Sara’s ethical behavior must be in line with CAMFT and ACA Codes of Ethics, which are accepted and applied by her peers in the profession. However, it is evident that her conversion to Christianity negatively influenced her ability to offer therapy professionally and in accordance with the established ethics code.
The increasing number of cancellations, no-shows, and the discomfort shown by some of Sara’s clients indicate that something is wrong with her approach to therapy. It is inappropriate and against professional ethics code for Sarah to witness to non-Christians and focus on existential issues in the counseling room. It is important to note that the competence and integrity of a therapist are depended on his or her ability to gauge how personal values impact professional practice. According to CAMFT (2011), marriage and family therapists must constantly strive to understand how their ethnic, racial, cultural beliefs, values, and identities affect how they deliver therapy. In this regard, therapists are not supposed to use their beliefs, values, and identities, to exert undue influence on the outcomes or treatment. Therefore, Sara’s actions of witnessing to non-Christians in the counseling room and diverting the conversation to existential matters is against CAMFT codes of ethics. It is deducible that Sara does not understand the negative impact her actions have on clients. With clients feeling uncomfortable and others canceling their sessions, it is clear that her actions are not welcome by the clients. One of the responsibilities of a therapist to clients is patient benefit (CAMFT, 2011). It is imperative that marriage and family therapists continually monitor their effectiveness to ensure that clients are deriving benefits from the relationships, and if not, take necessary steps to improve. In the case of Sara, the discomfort, cancellations, and no-shows clearly point...
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