Authenticity in Ethical Decision Making: Reflections for Professional Counselors

Abstract

Ethical competence, maturity, and autonomy are foundations of good counseling; however, ethical autonomy can be eroded by a risk‐management approach to ethics that tends to constrict counselors' creative responses to dilemmas. This article offers reflections on the notion of authenticity as described by existentialist philosophers Søren Kierkegaard and Martin Heidegger, as a means by which to balance risk‐management and reductionist perspectives on ethics and to foster ethical autonomy. Applications of authenticity to counselors' approach to ethics are suggested, as are limitations of this concept as a stand‐alone framework for decision making.

Impact of Selected Ethical Information Resources on Counselor Educators' Decision‐Making Regarding Boundary Crossings

“…The ACA Code of Ethics requires counselors to use an ethical decision‐making model, and experts have also suggested using these models (Gottlieb, ; Kennedy, ) to ensure appropriate decision‐making through reflection and engagement (Jungers & Gregoire, ). Only 39% of counselor educators in this study reported having used an ethical decision‐making model when faced with boundary‐crossing decision‐making in the past.…”

“…Principle‐based ethics asserts that individuals arrive at ethical decisions by understanding their professional requirements (Knapp & VandeCreek, ). The ACA Code of Ethics (ACA, ) informs counselor educators of their professional obligations to students when considering boundary issues (Jungers & Gregoire, ). Section F, Supervision, Training, and Teaching, of the ACA Code of Ethics specifically discusses the ethical obligations of counselor educators to counseling students.…”

Impact of Ethical Information Resources on Independently Licensed Counselors

“…Although a majority of participants (70%) reported using a code of ethics when considering boundary‐crossing issues, only 17% used Kitchener's () model and 2.5% used either Gottlieb's () model or the Corey and Corey ethical decision‐making model (Corey et al, ). Reflection and engagement assist when making ethical decisions (Jungers & Gregoire, ), and ethical decision‐making models are commonly summoned to meet those goals (Kennedy, ). It appears that independently licensed counselors are not using ethical decision‐making models and want ethical information resources that are simple, straightforward, and streamlined.…”

“…Counselors must apply caution when consulting because others can just as easily increase unethical as well as ethical behavior (Tenbrunsel & Chugh, 2015). Self-established ethical guidelines can lead to distortions and dismissal of published ethical codes when consulting with others (Jungers & Gregoire, 2016).…”

“…Cartwright and Hartley () reported that ethical concerns in rehabilitation counseling are resolved through codes of ethics, agency policies and procedures, consultation, and supervision. Jungers and Gregoire () stated that counselors should not just consider professional ethical codes when resolving boundary‐crossing issues. They recommended that counselors should also use reflection and engagement to consider a variety of ethical responses to concerns.…”