“The Baker’s Dozen II: Cookin’ Up Best Ethical Practices in Counseling” Jan Case and Megan Long Department of Clinical Rehabilitation and Counseling LSUHSC, New Orleans, LA

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Participants Will:

• Gain further understanding of basic principles of literary interpretation (hermeneutics) and the application of these principles to the reading and the teaching of the Code as literature;

• Become acquainted with “The Baker’s Dozen- II” and its winsome and effective applications in reading, teaching, and applying the Code;

• Apply this learning tool to sample ethics-centered scenarios in counseling; and

• Explore further potential uses of this learning tool to further enhance the “ties” that bind the counselor to this essential document, the newly-revised ACA Code of Ethics (2014).

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Reintroducing…the Code!

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ACA Code of Ethics (2014)

• The ACA Code of Ethics serves six main purposes: • 1. The Code sets forth the ethical obligations of ACA members and

provides guidance intended to inform the ethical practice of professional counselors.

• 2. The Code identifies ethical considerations relevant to professional counselors and counselors-in-training.

• 3. The Code enables the association to clarify for current and prospective members, and for those served by members, the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by its members.

• 4. The Code serves as an ethical guide designed to assist members in constructing a course of action that best serves those utilizing counseling services and establishes expectations of conduct with a primary emphasis on the role of the professional counselor.

• 5. The Code helps to support the mission of ACA. • 6. The standards contained in this Code serve as the basis for

processing inquiries and ethics complaints concerning ACA members.

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Table of Contents

The ACA Code of Ethics contains nine main sections that address the following areas:

• Section A: The Counseling Relationship

• Section B: Confidentiality and Privacy

• Section C: Professional Responsibility

• Section D: Relationships With Other Professionals

• Section E: Evaluation, Assessment, and Interpretation

• Section F: Supervision, Training, and Teaching

• Section G: Research and Publication

• Section H: Distance Counseling, Technology, and

Social Media

• Section I: Resolving Ethical Issues 5

• I.1.a. Knowledge

Counselors know and understand the ACA Code of Ethics and other applicable ethics codes from professional organizations

or certification and licensure bodies of which they are members. Lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of an ethical responsibility is not a defense against a charge of unethical conduct.

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• I.1.b. Ethical Decision Making

When counselors are faced with an ethical dilemma, they use and document, as appropriate, an ethical decision making

model that may include, but is not limited to, consultation; consideration of relevant ethical standards, principles, and laws; generation of potential courses of action; deliberation of risks and benefits; and selection of an objective decision based on the circumstances and welfare of all involved.

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Talk About Some Significant Ties!!!

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P.S. Significant “Ties” Noted in Other Codes, Too!

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Safety Tip! For Us, Too???

• (By the way…) Each Enforceable Standard is not meant to be interpreted in isolation. Instead, it is important for rehabilitation counselors to interpret standards in conjunction with other related standards in various sections of the Code. (Preamble)

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Three Positive Words to Describe the Code • 1.

• 2.

• 3.

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And what a fine piece of literature!

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Great Ideals, But…Challenges Lurk

• “Encoded” Literature

• “encoded” = “mysterious,” “hidden,” “secretive,” “confusing,” “beyond comprehension”

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• Perceptions of the Code

“It is a complex set of rules.”

“It is intimidating.”

“It is very long.”

“It is overwhelming.”

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Potential Challenges to the Student

• Overall Appearance/Structure

• Content

• Vocabulary

• Complexity

• Assimilation/Retention

• Connecting the Dots

• Others

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Classroom/Fieldwork Challenges

• Struggling to acquire and retain basic knowledge of content

• Compartmentalized learning

• “wooden” decision-making

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Sound Familiar?

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What About Your Challenges?

• In Your Learning:

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What About Your Challenges?

• In Your Teaching:

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Is There A Potential Clue for Us? For Students?

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Attempting to Impress Upon Learners Sample Basic Principles of Literary Interpretation

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Hermeneutical Principles

• Principle 1: We interpret a given work of literature as being in harmony with itself. A given work of literature is thoroughly consistent and in agreement with itself. The entire work is to be regarded in this way, and each part relates to the whole in this same harmonious manner.

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Hermeneutical Principles

• Principle 2: We interpret a part in light of the whole. Any given part is to be considered in the context of the whole. A given part reiterates the whole and the whole undergirds the meaning and the interpretation of the part.

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Hermeneutical Principles

• Principle 3: We identify the central message of a given work of literature and interpret in light of this central message. The central theme of a given work of literature guides the interpretation of the whole and its parts. The meaning of each part is to be regarded in light of the central message.

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Hermeneutical Principles

• Principle 4: We interpret unclear passages about a given subject by clearer passages about that same subject. The degree of clarity can often vary between passages of a given work of literature that speak of the same general topic. The clearer passages guide the interpretation of those passages that are less clear.

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Hermeneutical Principles

• Principle 5: We identify word meanings. Word meanings can vary from document to document. It is important to identify the precise meaning of given words in each work.

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Hermeneutical Principles

• Principle 6: We use the entire work to interpret a given work. (The work interprets the work.)The interpretation of any given work of literature is to depend upon the entire work, not merely on select sections of that work.

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Hermeneutical Principles

• Principle 7: We pay attention to context. The meaning of any portion of a given work of literature is to be derived from the context (immediate, intermediate, and general) in which that part is located.

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Worksheet Time

• Briefly apply these basic principles of literary interpretation to your favorite book(s).

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See? Helpful?

• But how utilize these basic principles in teaching and in practicing the Code?

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What if…?

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The Tool

• The title of this learning tool (“The Baker’s Dozen-II”) comes from the fact that there are 13 Sections of this learning tool packet: the Welcome (the introduction to the tool), the Preamble to the Code; the Purpose of the Code; Nine Sections of the Code (A-I), and the sample “Best Ethical Practice Scenarios.” The notion of “baker” comes from the helpful analogy of “cooking up best ethical practices.” Much like a professional chef is called upon to daily develop the best recipes possible, so we, too, as counseling practitioners, also have a distinct calling – the “calling” to develop and to offer up the best ethical practices we possibly can. These best practices are formed and guided in part by the Code itself. As such the Code plays a vital role in a counselor’s aspirations to be the best of the best in service to clients, their community, and their profession.

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• As you explore this learning tool you will notice that we have written an informative and practical “ingredient” card for each of the standards of the Code (including the Preamble and the Purpose). Although each “ingredient card” is closely related to all of the other ingredient cards, you will notice that each ingredient adds its own distinct flavor to your best practice recipes. Envision yourself facing various cooking challenges, and then effectively developing a best ethical practice recipe for each respective challenge. As you do so, as a Master Chef you will quickly see how the various ingredients of the Code (its sections and standards) work collaboratively with other sections and standards of the Code to help you plan, implement, and evaluate your ethical decisions.

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Sample Ingredient Cards

E.5.

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C.2.

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I.2.

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Sample Scenarios

• He’s a ___. She’s a ___. Sure, placing diagnostic labels on people can be lots of fun and a great way to influence other people – after all, isn’t that one reason you are attending graduate school? But in all seriousness, determining and then “effectively utilizing” diagnostic information can be very, very tricky and demanding – especially for the counselor. Forewarned is forearmed on this stuff, so it’s really best for you to “start cookin’” up your recipe now – practicum and internship loom on the horizon!

• Here’s your first ingredient, E.5. • Taste this ingredient. Savor it. • Next, identify three other ingredients that complement the flavor of

this first ingredient. • Next, using your flavorful recipe, state two “best practices” that

emerge from partaking of your great recipe: • 1) A counselor will… • 2) A counselor will…

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• You have been assigned to lead a staff discussion of the always “sensitive to say the least” topic “functional competence.” Come on, who are you to judge others, and to serve up such a dish at the meal? But an assignment is an assignment – sorry!!! So, get cookin!

• Here are your first ingredients, C.2.g. and C.2.h.

• Taste this ingredient. Savor it.

• Next, identify three other ingredients that complement the flavor of this first ingredient.

• Next, using your flavorful recipe, state two “best practices” that emerge from partaking of your great recipe:

• 1) A counselor will…

• 2) A counselor will…

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The Trial Run

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Our Modest Findings

• Manipulation/Mastery

• Conceptualization of ethical dilemmas/situations

• Reflective Thinking

• Presentation of one’s perspective

• Learning from perceptions of others; exploring one’s own conceptual biases

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Further Reflections

•Principles of Literary Interpretation

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•Decision-Making

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• The “Cookin’ Up Best Ethical Practices” Analogy (Gimmick?)

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Let’s Work with It, Too!

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One as a Group

• I.2 • “To pursue the violation or not to pursue” – that is THE question; and it’s a big

one. After all, who am I to raise such concerns about another counselor – even if this “less than best practice’ has been witnessed time and time again. To paraphrase the ancients, “Let the counselor who is without ethical imperfections case the first complaint.” That eliminates me; I have also been less that “the best” 100% of the time. Maybe I should just forget the whole thing. I need something to settle my stomach about this whole moral trace I am having. I know what ingredient I.2 basically has to say, but I need to understand it in greater depth before I can make my final decision. I wish I had a chef at-hand.

• Guess what? You are the chef. So what do you say you get cookin’ and assist your colleague, here. Get cookin’!

• Your first ingredient is I.2.b. Taste this ingredient. Savor it. • Next, identify three other ingredients that complement the flavor of this first

ingredient. • Next, using your flavorful recipe, state two “best practices” that emerge from

partaking of your great recipe: • 1) A counselor will… • 2) A counselor will…

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What Did We Learn? Observe?

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Let’s Do Another One • A.2. • You are well-acquainted with (and truly accept!) the Ethical Standards regarding minors,

incapacitated adults, and other persons who are unable to give their voluntary consent. You know full well that such cases are to be handled carefully so as to properly honor the law and ethics. As you prepare for one Intake session later today that will include an “incapacitated” adult and her guardian, you spend a moment refreshing your memory about the Code of Ethics regarding such matters. You note with some surprise that the Code uses two distinct words (“consent” and “assent”) and mandates that you as the counselor be adept at handling both of these words and the best ethical counseling practices that lie behind each word. So what are you to do? How can you best deal with the matter of “consent” and simultaneously deal with the matter of “client assent,” particularly in the case you are about to enter? Aren’t these two words mutually exclusive? Or are they? Your stomach growls at such a confounding (unfair?) balancing act you are to perform, so before you meet the client and her guardian you need to grab a bite to eat – and settle your stomach and your conscience. Get cookin!

• • • Here’s your first ingredient, A.2.d. • Taste this ingredient. Savor it. • Next, identify three other ingredients that complement the flavor of this first ingredient. • Next, using your flavorful recipe, state two “best practices” that emerge from partaking of your

great recipe: • 1) A counselor will… • 2) A counselor will…

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Sharing; Learn Anything?

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Let’s Do Another One

• G.4. • You have been asked to read some current research articles and to summarize the findings

at the staff meeting next Friday. Your report could go a long way in helping your agency improve its services and possibly even extend its services to clients. What an opportunity! Congratulations on the lofty assignment. But as you start reading the literature findings you realize that there may be a challenge in your assignment. Many of the articles’ conclusions seem to lack a “humble” acknowledgment of the respective study’s limitations. Alternative explanations for the findings are also lacking in some articles. In fact, in some articles the authors seem to be telling “only half the story.” And you’re supposed to base your “informed” presentation to the rest of the staff on this stuff? Be careful! But you know, maybe you are simply being too insecure or taking your assignment too seriously. Maybe your suspicions are not really justified. In fact, if the stuff got published, who’s to quibble about such “minor” matters – or are they really “major”? Oops! I sense a bit of a “moral trace” (remember that lecture in class?) coming on. Time’s a wastin’ and your fellow staff members already have their knives and forks in-hand waiting for you to serve up the good stuff on Friday. What’s a chef to do in such situations? Better get cookin’- and ethically so!

• Here’s your first ingredient, G.4. • Taste this ingredient. Savor it. • Next, identify three other ingredients that complement the flavor of this first ingredient. • Next, using your flavorful recipe, state two “best practices” that emerge from partaking of

your great recipe: • 1) A counselor will… • 2) A counselor will…

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Sharing; Learn Anything?

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Ingredient Card Swap?

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One More for Good Measure - Social Media

• “Social Media”: Is it a blessing or a curse? Is it a gimmick that bombards us with too much information (T.M.I.!!!), or can it be effectively and ethically used to facilitate “knowledge translation” betwixt and between counselors and the clients they serve, between counselors, between…you name it! In an ever-evolving blitz of social media applications (just think of those you hold in favor or disfavor), when, where, and how does it behoove counselors to “get cookin’” with this business?

• Here’s your first ingredient, H.6 • Taste this ingredient. Savor it. • Next, identify three other ingredients that complement the flavor of this

first ingredient. • Next, using your flavorful recipe, state two “best practices” that emerge

from partaking of your great recipe: • 1) A counselor will… • 2) A counselor will…

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Sharing: Learn Anything?

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Overall Possible Uses

• “Ethics” Classes

• Other Classes

• Continuing Education Endeavors

• Other

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Can you think of additional uses?

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More Ideas?

• The Request for and/or the Development of Ethical Advisory Opinions

• Resolving “Misunderstandings” Between Professionals

• Preparations for Filing a Formal Ethics Complaint

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Recap

• A Wonderful Code!

• Ideals are Commendable; Best Practice Expectations are Super

• Alas, Potential Challenges

• Hmmm… A Possible Tool (and next refinements)

• Initial Feedback

• A Useful Tool for the “Other Codes” under which You Serve

• Enjoy!

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Your Takeaways

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Contact Information

• Jan Case: jcase@lsuhsc.edu or jccase123@bellsouth.net

• Megan Long: mlong3@lsuhsc.edu

• Here’s a helpful paper (or two) for you, too!!!!

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