1.7 Ethical Decision-Making Models

Ethical decision-making models in counseling provide structured approaches to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and make informed, ethical choices (Chae et al., 2021; Mullen et al., 2017). These models involve systematic processes that include identifying and analyzing the problem, applying relevant ethical principles, generating and evaluating potential courses of action, and implementing the chosen action while continuously assessing its impact. They emphasize the importance of consultation with colleagues, adherence to professional ethical standards, and thorough documentation throughout the decision-making process. By using these models, counselors can ensure their decisions are ethically sound, well-considered, and aligned with professional standards, ultimately supporting the provision of ethical, effective, and appropriate care to clients.

Ethical decision-making models can be applied to any dilemma a counselor experiences. An example of an ethical decision-making process follows. Consider a counselor working with a 15-year-old client who reveals during a session that they are experimenting with cannabis but begs the counselor not to tell their parents. The counselor faces an ethical dilemma involving the principles of confidentiality and the duty to protect the client’s wellbeing. Using an ethical decision-making model, the counselor begins by identifying the problem and recognizing the conflict between maintaining confidentiality and ensuring the client’s safety. The counselor then consults the relevant ethical guidelines, which emphasize the importance of confidentiality but also acknowledge the need to breach it when there is a risk of harm. Next, the counselor considers the potential courses of action: keeping the information confidential, disclosing it to the parents, or finding a middle ground. After evaluating the consequences of each option, such as the impact on the client’s trust and the potential for harm, the counselor decides to discuss the situation with the client, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue and exploring ways to involve the parents in a supportive manner. The counselor documents the decision-making process and consults with a supervisor to ensure the chosen action aligns with professional standards. By applying the ethical decision-making model, the counselor balances the ethical principles and takes a thoughtful, client-centered approach to resolving the dilemma. We will discuss ethical decision-making models in greater detail in a later chapter. We discuss two distinct ethical decision-making models in great detail in Chapter 4.