2.7 Case Study
Case Study: Navigating Professionalism in Counseling
Maria is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) and a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) working in a community mental health clinic. She has been practicing for six years and is known for her compassionate approach to counseling clients with co-occurring disorders. Recently, Maria has been feeling overwhelmed due to high caseloads, administrative responsibilities, and personal stress.
Maria has been meeting with a client, James, for several months to address his anxiety and substance use recovery. During a recent session, James disclosed that he found Maria’s profile on a social media platform and sent her a friend request. Maria saw the request but hasn’t responded yet.
That same week, Maria was late to two client sessions, citing exhaustion from back-to-back appointments. During a meeting with her supervisor, Maria shared her frustration about the clinic’s lack of staff support and admitted she was considering leaving the profession altogether. She also expressed guilt about the potential impact of her burnout on her clients.
The following week, Maria attended a professional development workshop sponsored by her state counseling association. During a breakout session, she overheard a peer discussing a difficult client. While Maria didn’t contribute to the conversation, she recognized enough details to realize the peer was describing James.
Discussion Questions
- How should Maria navigate the boundary issue presented by James’s friend request on social media? What ethical codes apply in this situation?
- What steps can Maria take to address her burnout while maintaining professionalism and providing quality care for her clients?
- If Maria chooses to leave her current position, what ethical considerations should she keep in mind when transitioning her clients?
- What is Maria’s responsibility in the situation where she overhears confidential client information during the professional workshop? Should she report this, and if so, how?
- How could Maria’s professional identity and involvement in professional organizations support her in navigating these challenges?