Ethical Dilemma

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Ethical Dilemma: Initial Reaction 1 Tim Mulcahey Liberty University Ethical Dilemma Initial Reaction Assignment HSER 270: Ethics in Professional Helping Professor Alison Ferrara April, 10 th 2023

Ethical Dilemma: Initial Reaction 2 Ethical Dilemma Paper: Initial Reaction Assignment This paper is about ethical decision making and dilemmas. Once in the work force each of us will eventually face a dilemma we have to deal with, and we need to make sure we make an ethical decision even though we know both parties won’t be happy with the outcome typically. Looking to God for help on making an ethical decision on a dilemma can also help us make the right decision. The scenario I am looking at in this paper takes place in a community mental health center. George is a case worker and Joanne is one of his clients, and around 4 months into their sessions Joanne tells George she is having sexual fantasies about him. This is a problem since George is her caseworker. Dilemma #8 In this dilemma, George came across a client named Joanne and she sought out the help of a professional, due to dealing with some personal issues. She had Feelings such as depression and built-up anger among herself. It was during their many sessions that Joanne started developing feelings for George which started to chain react and that the relationship slowly became more intimate. Joanne spoke about her past to George about her relationship. Particularly keeping that perspective about her marriage with her husband and their sexual relationship shows a bit of tension. It was after four long months of meeting and planning that was showing guidance that Joanne developed emotions for George. Telling him about her sexual fantasies towards him and lustful thoughts of him. She felt the need not to just talk about the issue of her life, but rather vent and speak out about what lay heavy on her heart. George and Joanne spent much time dealing with that entanglement to see if it could be resolved or not. It was during those many sessions that Joanne tells George that she feels attracted to him and George responds in a way of meeting that attraction. However, George felt uncertain if their professional

Ethical Dilemma: Initial Reaction 3 relationship should continue. Reconsideration plays upon this development and the two of them created more time to address the issue. Joanne still wants to counsel and would want George to be that outlet to speak towards. Due to the result of not wanting to openly be comfortable talking about her life with anyone else. Potential Impact This type of dilemma would impact both George and Joanne, Joanne would need to get a new case worker to talk about her problems, and George would need to find other clients to assist even though Joanne still wants to work with George. It could also impact the community mental health center that Joanne attends if Joanne and George continue to work together. The bible says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” ( New American Standard Bible , 1971/1995). George could put his faith in God and see what would be morally the right decision. The place could get in trouble if it got out that they allowed them to still work together after a conflict. It could also be affecting Joanne’s mental health if she wants to still work with George her mind would be one place while George is trying to help her, which could influence her mental health. It could also have an impact on how George is with his future clients, it could impact the way he works he should talk to his supervisor. Competing Values If George tells Joanne they can’t work together anymore, that decision would be supported by integrity. On the other hand if George tells Joanne they can still work together, that would be supported by importance of human relationship (NASW). Integrity is when social workers know their missions, reasoning, and their ethical practices (NASW). The thoughts that Joanne has about George would go against his integrity which means Joanne couldn’t keep

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Ethical Dilemma: Initial Reaction 4 seeing George for her sessions. If George valued the importance of human relationship, he could bring the situation to his higher up, and tell them he wants to still work with Joanne and she has made it clear she won’t think about him like that anymore. Importance of human relationship is when social workers seek to strengthen the relationship between the client and themselves (NASW). Gut Solution If I was this caseworker and being in the same position as George, I would keep it strictly professional. Due to how it is challenging him among his principles and morals. While still trying to provide that mental health services to his community. I would ensure to my client who is named Joanne in this dilemma, that I am only here for her as a support system and nothing else more. Explaining and telling her that there can only be an adverse reaction to this dilemma for her growing these deep feelings for me. This can backfire upon me as a social worker and lose that title of being a helping professional. Also, I would fail to help Joanne to work through her issues. Such as the continuous depression episodes and building this rage towards herself. Looking at this situation ethically, I am aware of the client's sexual attraction, which could allow me to be at a higher power. The power to expose and take advantage of her: sexually, physically, emotionally, and dominate her psychologically. Having such a position over her should not be allowed in that type of professional relationship. The textbook states that “An ethical dilemma always occurs when a worker is in a situation where they may make a decision that will knowingly violate a moral rule” (Bryan, 2021 pg. 43). This would violate George’s moral rules so if I was George, I wouldn’t allow sessions to continue.

Ethical Dilemma: Initial Reaction 5 Reference Bryan, V., Sanders, S., & Kaplan, L. E. (2021). The Helping Professional's Guide to Ethics (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press Academic US. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9780197502877 Ethical Principles. NASW, National Association of Social Workers. (2023). Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English New American Standard Bible . (1995). https://nasb.literalword.com/ (Original work published 1971)

Ethical Dilemma

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