Flowchart

American Counseling Association, "A Practitioner's Guide to Ethical Decision Making"

award Notable for including a regression step, for offering an early exit, for recognizing that multiple solutions may be required, and for relying heavily on the profession (colleagues, codes, literature)

SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE

indentForester-Miller, Holly and Thomas Davis. "A Practitioner's Guide to Ethical Decision Making." 1996. http://www.counseling.org/resources/pracguide.htm (8 Jun. 1999).

THE PROCEDURE ITSELF

Disclaimer
  1. Identify the problem.
    1. Outline the facts, separating out innuendoes, assumptions, hypotheses or suspicions.
    2. Ask questions.
      • Is it an ethical, legal, professional, and/or clinical problem?
      • Is the issue related to me, to my client, and/or is it a question of policy?
  2. Apply the ACA Code of Ethics.
    1. For problems that are clear and simple, follow the applicable standards given in the Code.
    2. If the problem is complex or ambiguous, continue with the remaining steps.
  3. Determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma.
    1. Consider the moral principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity.
      • Decide which principles apply.
      • Determine which principle takes priority.
    2. Review the relevant professional literature to ensure that you are using the most current professional thinking in reaching a decision.
    3. Consult with experienced professional colleagues and/or supervisors.
    4. Consult your state or national professional associations to see if they can provide help with the dilemma.
  4. Generate potential courses of action.
    1. Brainstorm, considering all options.
    2. Enlist the assistance of at least one colleague to help you generate options.
  5. Consider the potential consequences of all options and determine a course of action.
    1. Evaluate each option and assess the potential consequences for all parties involved.
    2. Eliminate the options that clearly do not give the desired results or cause even more problematic consequences.
    3. Review the remaining options to determine which option or combination of options best fits the situations and addresses the priorities you have identified.
  6. Evaluate the selected course of action.
    1. Apply three simple tests.
      • Would you treat others the same in this situation?
      • Would you want your behavior reported to the press?
      • Would you recommend the same course of action to other counselors in the same situation?
    2. If you answered "yes" to all three questions, proceed to the next step. If not, go back to the beginning.
  7. Implement the course of action.
    1. Strengthen your ego.
    2. Perform the action.
    3. Assess the results.

WALT'S CHECKLIST

The same checklist was applied to all procedures.
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