PSYC FPX 4900 Assessment 2 An Ethical Analysis of a Case Study PSYC FPX 4900 Psychology Capstone Project

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Case Study

This assessment is based on the case study involving Hanna (staff) and Adara (student) from Riverbend City High School. Hanna is a 36-year-old African American female guidance counselor, while Adara is a 15-year-old Muslim-American female student. Adara has expressed to Hanna that she feels different as she is the only Muslim-American in her circle of friends. She has reported being consistently bullied online and at school due to her appearance. Although Adara feels comfortable sharing her feelings with Hanna, she doubts that her parents would approve of her seeking additional counseling outside of school. During one of their sessions, Adara confides in Hanna that she wishes she were dead. Consequently, Hanna shares this information with Adara’s family out of concern for her well-being. This leads to Adara’s parents confronting her, resulting in a loss of trust in Hanna.

In the case of Adara and Hanna, the ethical issues of concern include how Hanna addresses the bullying, cultural biases, and the aftermath of Adara’s confession. According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the American Psychological Association (APA), there are specific ethical standards to follow regarding the issues presented in this case. Additionally, bullying is a widespread global issue impacting school districts. With the rise of social media and the internet, cyberbullying has become prevalent among pre-teens and teenagers, making it challenging to monitor and control posted content. This paper aims to explore the ethical principles associated with reporting incidents of bullying and concerns regarding self-harm to a client. Given that Adara already felt isolated from her peers and family, Hanna should have employed a safer and less invasive approach in this situation. It is crucial that cyberbullying and threats of harm are taken seriously and addressed promptly and sensitively.

Applied Ethical Principles and Standards

Following the ethical principles and code of conduct established by the American Psychological Association, two critical principles are relevant to Adara’s case. General Principle E states, “Psychologists try to eliminate the effect on their work of biases based on those factors. They do not knowingly participate in or condone activities of others based upon such prejudices” (American Psychological Association, 2010). This principle emphasizes the importance of respecting clients’ rights and dignity. It sets the expectation that psychologists should be aware of the individual differences of their clients and create an environment that respects these differences. Factors to consider include, but are not limited to, age, gender, religion, and culture.

Hanna should first acknowledge Adara’s cultural background and educate herself about her culture before initiating or continuing counseling sessions. Gaining knowledge about the cultural biases surrounding professional help would enable her to structure her sessions effectively and build rapport with Adara. The apparent lack of understanding that Hanna has regarding Muslim culture led to Adara losing trust in her, which hindered her access to the necessary professional support. To better assist Adara, Hanna should have researched the norms related to therapy within the Muslim culture to foster more open and effective communication with Adara and her family. Hanna’s lack of awareness regarding the cultural perceptions of counseling within Muslim families significantly impacted her ability to provide Adara with optimal treatment.

PSYC FPX 4900 Assessment 2 An Ethical Analysis of a Case Study

Another relevant principle from the American Psychological Association in this case study is Principle 4.05 regarding disclosures. This principle states that a psychologist may disclose confidential information only for specific reasons, including preventing harm to the client or others. In Adara’s situation, this principle was applicable. However, instead of informing the parents, Hanna could have contacted the appropriate authorities to ensure Adara’s safety and provide additional resources for Adara and her family. Had Hanna been aware that informing Adara’s parents might result in her losing essential professional support, she might have altered her approach to communicating with the family or the manner in which the information was presented. This would have allowed Hanna to remain compliant with the ethical guidelines and principles set forth by the APA while ensuring that Adara continued to receive necessary services. Due to Hanna’s lack of research, Adara was left without support and may be at an increased risk of danger.

In addition to the American Psychological Association, the American School Counselor Association also upholds