Counseling Ethics & Law

In the introduction, the author discusses the nature of the connections between informed consent and legal and ethical issues in counseling. Also addressed is the nature of modern health care which causes additional complexities in this area. The body of the analysis focuses on the nature of informed consent, including its definition, its role in the counselor-client relationship, the ways it relates to a host of ethical and legal concerns, and its function as a means of fostering a deeper understanding between counselor and client with respect to the counseling process. Legal and ethical issues are also addressed in this section, including specific examples of each and also the ways in which informed consent pertains to various legal and ethical issues. A conclusion addresses the changing nature of health care and what it means to the relationship between informed consent and legal and ethical issues, as well as reaffirming the belief that there are no absolute measures of informed consent.

Informed Consent & Legal and Ethical Issues

In counseling, informed consent and legal and ethical issues merge in order for maximum protection of rights for both the counselor and the client. Yet, informed consent is much more than just the signature of the client on a piece of paper, for it is a contract that helps protect the legal and ethical rights of the client and the counselor,

. . .
r undue influence; and that the client know all the necessary facts, choices, and risks.” The informed consent contract is part of the ongoing partner relationship between counselor and counseled. It is in the counselor’s best interest as well as the client’s because it provides a written document that forms the legal and ethical basis and nature of the relationship. Such a written document will be designed to cover the different aspects of the counselor-client relationship that are historically known to be problematic if left vague or undefined. According to McCarthy (et al., 1995, 130) informed consent is essential for effective counseling to occur, and any written document should encompass the following seven categories within the counselor-client process that have traditionally been problematic from a legal or ethical point-of-view: “purpose, professional disclosure, practical issues, supervision process, administrative issues, ethical and legal issues, and statement of agreement.” It is important to remember that these categories represent only a starting point. The content of an informed consent agreement is much more than legalistic or ethical. It also provides a document that helps define the boundaries and limitat
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Corey Corey, Lawrence Kurpius, Issues Summary, According McCarthy, Issues Introduction, Davidson Davidson, informed consent, legal ethical, legal ethical issues, ethical issues, Body Informed, Torczyner March, Azar January, Spring/2000 Legal, consent legal, consent legal ethical, informed consent legal, counselor-client relationship, informed consent contract, ethical legal, consent contract, health care, managed care, counselor client, counseling informed consent,
Approximate Word count = 1349
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Counseling Ethics & Law