Section 7B: p. 383-449 Flashcards
What is the difference between laws and ethics? (Section 7, p. 383)
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Laws are based on the minimum standards tolerated by society. Ethics are based on the ideal standards expected by professionals.
What is often seen as the primary means of protecting the self-determination and self-governing rights of clients? (Section 7, p. 383)
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Informed consent.
There are 3 factors that are required for clients to make informed consent. What are these 3 factors? (Section 7, p. 386)
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Voluntarily - consent must be provided without pressure or coercion or powerful incentives.
Knowingly - counsellors must fully disclose information to clients so they are able to make an informed choice (including third party involvement).
Intelligently - clients must have the ABILITY to comprehend the conditions of consent.
When should clients be informed of their rights and responsibilities? (Section 7, p. 391)
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It is good practice to inform clients of their rights and responsibilities BEFORE entering into a counselling relationship.
What are some of the benefits of engaging a client in the informed consent process? (Section 7, p. 391 and 402).
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- Clients will feel more valued and respected for.
- Counsellors are viewed as more trustworthy, which can contribute to the therapeutic alliance, as well as counselling outcomes.
- By engaging the client in the process, it can also remove the power differenetial that exists between a client and counsellor.
- Promotes client autonomy and well-being (they can make an informed choice after hearing the risks and benefits).
- Minimizes risk for exploitation.
- Ensures the client comprehends the counselling process, as well as their rights.
- Protects the client (and the counsellor).
- Can create a sense of “we-ness”
True or False: Informed consent is a discrete, one-time process that occurs at the beginning of the counselling relationship. (Section 7, p. 392).
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False. Informed consent should be ONGOING and renegotiated throughout the counselling relationship.
In the practical procedural framework, what is the difference between a continuous model of informed consent and an event model of informed consent? (Section 7, p. 393).
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Continuous model - consent is a process (ongoing and collaborative); includes the idea of MUTUAL MONITORING: encourages each part to be sensitive to and monitor factors that may influence each other at any given time
Event model - consent is an occurrence (one time event) (most widely used by counsellors)
Zuckerman (2008) offers 5 paths to informed consent (which are intended to structure and guide client-counsellor conversations during the informed consent process). What are these paths? (Section 7, p. 393).
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- Client information brochure
- A question list to guide discussions
- A summary of clients’s rights
- An overview of elements and options in psychotherapy contracts.
- Consent forms for treatment and other services that are tailored to various client populations.
Counsellors do not always inform their clients of possible risks. Why might counsellors refrain from doing so? (Section 7, p. 394).
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- They may not appreciate the nature and severity of the risks.
- They may not want to contribute to client anxiety.
- They may believe the clients will not understand the risks (and if they do understand the risks, this may deter them from engaging further in counselling).
What are some reasons why counsellors may not inform clients of alternative treatment options? (Section 7, p. 394)
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- They may not be aware of additional treatment options.
- They may fear they will lose clients if they cannot offer the alternative treatment options.
- They may not want to complicate the decision making process for clients who are already distressed.
Informed consent is a process, not a ______________. (Section 7, p. 394)
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Informed consent is a process, not a FORM. (Side note: a written consent form should always be accompanied by an ongoing verbal discussion of consent. The signed consent form will serve NO purpose if the client does not understand what they are consenting to).
Informed consent can be described as a process which includes 5 steps. What are these 5 steps to assist counsellors in obtaining informed consent? (Section 7, p. 395-398)
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Fit, Define Problem, Goals, Treatment, Follow up.
- Counsellor and client will decide whether their is a mutual sense of “fit” to work comfortably with one another.
- Once they have decided to enter the counselling relationship, they will define the problem.
- Reach consensus on treatment goals.
- Discuss with the client the treatment approach to help them reach their goal (should include the nature, purpose, risks/benefits of treatment, and alternative treatments).
- Follow up (continue to inform client throughout the counselling process).
What is considered the best practice in relation to informed consent? (Section 7, p. 402)
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- Consent should be an ongoing discussion
- Consent should be in written form, in addition to verbal conversations
- Consent should be an engaging PROCESS (not a discrete, one-time event).
What is a reason why consent should be ongoing and renegotiated? (Section 7, p. 403)
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Issues, priorities, and goals tend to shift over time throughout the counselling process. Because information may change, the nature of counselling and treatment may change as well. New information may require new and updated consent.
What are some situations where counsellors require informed consent from their clients? (Section 7, p. 404).
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- Consent to treatment
- Consent for release of information
- Consent to have information shared with counsellor’s supervisor (or other 3rd parties)
- If counselling sessions are being recorded for training purposes, consent is required.
- If information is being shared to 3rd parties, and the client’s identity cannot be protected, consent is required.
What are 5 ethical challenges related to e-counselling? (Section 7, p. 406)
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- Identifying which client concerns can be appropriately addressed via e-counselling.
- The greater risk of communication misunderstandings (not able to observe non-verbal behaviours).
- Maintaining professional boundaries
- Electronic privacy/security issues.
- The potential for counselling services to be interrupted due to technological problems.
SIDE NOTE: These concerns should be included in the informed consent process.
True or False: Informed consent requires a written consent form, verbal consent, and documentation. (Section 7, p. 407).
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TRUE.
What are some helpful tips for consent forms and the informed consent process? (Section 7, p. 409).
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- Forms should include simple language/avoid jargon
- Content of forms should be manageable (breadth and depth) - do not overwhelm the clients!
- Forms are intended to supplement the informed consent process, rather than replace it.
- Do not obtain the client’s signature until the consent process has been completed.
- Answer all of the questions a client may has before signing the consent form.
- The form must contain correct information.
- Do not obtain consent from someone under the influence.