Professional Values and Ethical Issues Flashcards
Psychotherapy notes
Should be kept in a separate section from the rest of the file for additional level of condifentiality
Client lacking ability for informed consent/Minor clients
Informed CONSENT obtained by a responsible 3rd party and ASSENT is obtained from the client
Client access to records
Clients should have access to their records upon request
**SWs should only limit client access to records in exceptional circumstances when there is compelling evidence that such access would cause harm to a client
Soliciting info (sw from client)
SW should only solicit info essential for providing services - minimum necessary to achieve purpose
Disclosing confidential information
SWs can disclose confidential info when appropriate with valid consent from client or a personal legally authorized to consent on behalf of client (this includes legal requirements)
**SWs should inform clients to the extent possible about the disclosure of such information and the potential consequence
Legal proceedings and confidentiality
SWs should protect confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings to the extent permitted by law
**When a court orders release of records/info and that release causes potential harm to client, SW should request that the order is withdrawn or limited in scope
Court order
SW should release records
Subpoena
NOT a court order – SW should respond by claiming privilege and not turn over the records until there is an official court order
Deceased clients
Have the same confidentiality rights as alive clients and those must be protected
Mandated reporting
Includes other SWs who are unable to perform the functions of their work
Breaking confidentiality with adults - duty to warn
When client makes a specific and imminent threat to an identifiable 3rd party
When a client harms a specific population - elders and children
Duty to protect
Breaking confidentiality when client is a danger to himself - hospitalization as an example
Transference
Client to SW (linking feelings for a significant person to the social worker)
Countertransference
SW to client (redirection of SW feelings towards a client)
DV and social exchange theory
Totaling potential benefits and losses are calculated to determine behavior
DV and couples therapy
**According to most literature, traditional couples therapy is NOT appropriate in addressing abuse in the family and puts the victim in greater danger
Medical needs and safety are a priority!
Burnout
State of physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual exhaustion; characterized by emotional fatigue and feeling inadequate
Secondary trauma
Behaviors and emotions that result from knowledge about traumatizing events experienced by clients and the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help them - symptoms can mirror those experienced by the primary victim of trauma
Compassion fatigue
Syndrome resulting from combination of burnout and secondary trauma
Universalism
There is one acceptable norm or standard for everyone - inhibits the therapeutic relationship
Dichotomous thinking
Differences are inferior, wrong and bad - inhibits the therapeutic relationship
Heightened ability/value on separating, categorizing, numbering, left brain
vs. right brain or whole picture; person studied in isolation and not as part of a group or interrelated to environment - inhibits the therapeutic relationship
High value on control, constraint or restraint
vs. flexibility and value on expressiveness - inhibits the therapeutic relationship
Measure of self comes from outside and is only in contrast to others
vs. value coming from within - inhibits the therapeutic relationship
Power defined as power over others
vs. power through or in harmony with others - inhibits the therapeutic relationship
Parallel process
Unconscious identification with a client; can be used as an important part of the supervisory process
