EDHS 733-1: ETHICAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF COUNSELING
FALL 2007
Topic 3. Counselor Obligations to Counselees and
Society: Professional Duty
Instructor comments about topic
As you learned in the first topic, counselors have certain obligations to those they serve in a professional capacity that go beyond the obligations of typical relationships. In the second topic you learned about the essential nature of counselors' obligation to maintain counselee confidences. There are other professional obligations or duties associated with the role of professional counselor. In this topic we will explore other professional obligations of counselors. There are limitations on the behavior of professional counselors that are not considered problems for others. For example, intimate relationships, bartering and other normal relationships are problems for counselors because they are threats to objectivity.
Learning plan
Precedents demonstrate that the legal concern with sexual relationships between counselors and counselees is not sex per se but the damage to the counseling (therapeutic) process. Consider where you would "draw the line." Would you accept a gift from a counselee? Would you go to a counselee's promotion party? etc.
Electronic References
Cottone & Claus (2000); Freeman, Engels, & Altekruse (2004); Garcia, Cartwright, Winton, & Borzuchowska (2003)
10/24/07