Words: 742
Clients can come from all walks of life financially, socially, and culturally, each having their own life experiences. As a case worker you can expect to interact with people from various cultures, each with their own specific needs, circumstances, and disabilities. Some of those cultures may be unfamiliar to the worker and may make interacting, or understanding the client behavior fisticuff.
Some clients may also be suffering from mental health issues that the worker is not qualified to diagnose or may be unfamiliar with. To ensure the successful treatment of each client a worker has to realize their own limitations and qualifications. Counselors may also have to deal with clients that may have mental health issues that make expressing their problems difficult, or cause them to believe that they have no issues at all. One of the first ethical issues that would have to be considered when taking Tiger as a client is A. 2. C.
Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity. In collaboration with clients, counselors consider cultural implications of informed consent procedures and, where possible, counselors adjust their practices accordingly. (CA, 2014) “No information is available on Tigers life before his arrival at Pooch’s house. Nothing is known of his previous address or his family of origin, although it has been said that he is the only Tiger. ” (lames, 2008) It is highly unlikely that any case worker would be familiar with Tiger’s cultural background, since he is the only Tiger.
Some of the behaviors that Tiger exhibits could easily be explained as practices that are totally acceptable practices in Tiger’s culture. “A less disordered individual would have known that it is more appropriate to visit people during the day, especially when dropping in on someone one scarcely knows or has never met. Impulsive behavior, interrupting and intruding are at the heart of Tigers problems. ” (James, 2008) A. 4. B. Personal Values Counselors are aware of-?and avoid imposing-?their values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselors values are inconsistent with the client’s goals or are discriminatory in nature. (CA 2014) Without knowledge of Twigged culture, it would be difficult to determine if some of the behaviors that Tiger is exhibiting are abnormal or considered a normal part of his cultural heritage.
Another ethical consideration to be considered is the fact that there have en previous assumptions made about the state of Tiger’s mental health issues. Although Tiger has displayed signs of ADD, I am not qualified to make that diagnosis and have no record of any previous assessments or diagnoses. The first step would take to resolve this issue is to do an assessment, and then to refer Tiger to a more qualified professional for diagnosis. Even though those closest to Tiger have given their opinion, none of them are Mental Health Professionals, so there opinions are not acceptable forms off diagnosis.
The information provided by those closest o Tiger may provide some incite to the problems he is facing, but it should not be taken as professional opinions. A. L . D. Support Network Involvement Counselors recognize that support networks hold various meanings in the lives of clients and consider enlisting the support, understanding, and involvement of others (e. G. , religious/spiritual/community leaders, family members, friends) as positive resources, when appropriate, with client consent. (CA, 2014) This case demonstrates the necessity for counselors to be prepared to deal with complex situations.
Counselors need to know in advance where to find consultation and what resources are available. “You can never know all that you might like to know, nor can you attain all the skills required to effectively intervene with all client populations or all types Of problems. This is where the processes of supers;Sino and consultation come into play, and why supervision remains a lifelong process for you throughout your career. ” (Corey, G. , Schneider Corey, M. , Callahan, P. , 201 1) This case also demonstrates the need for continued education for caseworkers.
Prior o accepting a consulting role, consultants need to decide whether their competence is adequate for a particular project. If consultants realize that they do not have the competence to undertake an assignment, they should decline and make an appropriate referral.