Ethical Reasoning and Mental Health Services with Deaf Clients

Abstract

Ethical problems encountered by mental health practitioners working with deaf clients are often complex and involve issues not fully addressed in professional codes of ethics. A principles-based ethical reasoning process can assist in resolving many of these ethical concerns. Principles such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, fairness, integrity, and respect are found in the ethical codes of many disciplines; these can also create a common language or reference point when professionals from different fields attempt to deal with shared problems. This article discusses some applications of these principles in working with deaf individuals and proposes an ethical decision-making process that can provide a framework for ethical reasoning in thinking through complex problems.

Exploration des besoins de services des personnes sourdes locutrices LSQ présentant des troubles de santé mentale

“…Les résultats de la présente étude rejoignent ceux des recherches américaines et européennes qui se sont attardées aux questions liées à l'accès aux services en santé mentale pour les personnes sourdes (Cabralet coll., 2013 ;Cornes et Napier, 2005 ;Gournaris et coll., 2010 ;Gutman, 2005 ;Mathos et coll., 2009 ;O'Hearn et Pollard, 2008). Effectivement, le manque de confiance dans les intervenants entendants, les tabous importants sur la santé mentale parmi la population sourde et le manque de connaissance de la population sourde sur les caractéristiques et les ressources existantes en santé mentale abordés dans nos résultats, sont des thématiques très présentes dans les recherches sur les questions de l'accès aux services en santé mentale pour les populations sourdes.…”

“…Selon plusieurs chercheurs, les personnes sourdes manqueraient d'accès aux services médicaux et en santé mentale (Cabral et coll., 2013: Cornes et Napier, 2005Gournaris et coll., 2010 ;Gutman, 2005 ;Mathos et coll., 2009 ;O'Hearn et Pollard, 2008). Face aux services sociosanitaires, il est rapporté que certains Sourds voient la prise d'un rendez-vous comme source de stress ou la salle d'attente comme une épreuve (Powell et Dean, 2009).…”

Cultural Awareness: Enhancing Counselor Understanding, Sensitivity, and Effectiveness With Clients Who Are Deaf

“…Historically, people who are deaf have often had decisions about them made without their input (Gutman, 2005;Williams & Abeles, 2004). Another concern is that the deaf community, even in large cities, tends to be small and cohesive.…”

“…Confidentiality is an area that all counselors know to be crucial to the establishment and maintenance of a therapeutic relationship; however, with clients who are deaf, it takes on particular relevance. Historically, people who are deaf have often had decisions about them made without their input (Gutman, 2005;Williams & Abeles, 2004). Another concern is that the deaf community, even in large cities, tends to be small and cohesive.…”

“…Another concern is that the deaf community, even in large cities, tends to be small and cohesive. Consequently, it may become common knowledge in the deaf community that a client is attending counseling sessions (Gulati, 2003;Gutman, 2005). Simon and Williams (1999) looked at the problem of maintaining confidentiality with hearing persons in small towns and found discussing anticipated confidentiality concerns at the very beginning of counseling to be helpful.…”