Issues and Ethics in Counseling



Psychology 395 Issues and Ethics in Counseling

Saint Martin’s University / Ft Lewis Campus

Term 1: Monday, August 11 to Monday, October 6, 2008

Tuesday / Thursday 5:00-7:40pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The major focus of this course will be to explore the major ethical issues and dilemmas found in the profession of counseling, including psychotherapy and social work. This special topics in psychology course was developed by Jennifer Jamison, MA in 2004.

COURSE PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

To develop an understanding of how ethical issues will shape their work as interns and counselors.

Gaining awareness of the ethical, moral and legal issues found in counseling.

Students will have the opportunity to explore how their own personal values and ethics can impact their professional decisions.

To become familiar with the code of ethics of professional organizations.

Issues of gender, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status as they relate to ethical decisions will be explored.

The ethical/legal considerations of working with specific therapeutic populations will be discussed with the use of case studies within student groups.

LECTURE CONTENT

Introduction to Professional Ethics ’ The Counselor as a Person & as a Professional

Values & the Helping Relationship ’ Multicultural Perspectives & Diversity

Client Rights & Counselor Responsibilities ’ Confidentiality: Ethical & Legal Issues

Managing Boundaries & Multiple Relations ’ Professional Competence & Training

Issues in Supervision & Consultation ’ Issues in Theory, Practice & Research

Couples & Family Therapy ’ Group Work ’ Disciplinary Action / Washington state

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions 7/e

by Gerald Corey, Marianne Schneider Corey & Patrick Callanan

(2007, 7th edition). ISBN-10: 0-534-61443-4 / ISBN-13: 9780534614430

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Adjunct Professor: Jennifer Jamison, MA / Psychology

message Monday through Thursday 9am to 7pm

jjamison@stmartin.edu

The main form of communication I prefer outside of the classroom is email. My goal is to answer every student email within 48 hours Monday through Friday; I check my email several times a day on those days. Note: phone calls are also appropriate and will be answered Monday through Friday within 48 hours.

I teach year-round for Pierce College McChord AFB (2000-present) and Saint Martin’s University Extension Campuses (2001-present), where I have earned the title of Adjunct Professor. From 2005 through 2007, I also taught for Chapman University College at Navy Base Kitsap-Bangor. My academic interests include life-span psychopathology, cognitive therapy, the BioPsychoSocial model and ethical issues in counseling. I was the recipient of the United States Air Force’s Teaching Excellence award in May 2002 (Saint Martin’s College) and May 2005 (Pierce College). In addition to teaching, I have also developed, since 2002, a series of special topics in psychology undergraduate courses for the Saint Martin’s extension campuses. In 2008, I also co-created and team-taught a Criminal Justice special topics course. My clinical counseling training and experience was centered on working with an older adult population facing such issues as long-term mental illness and the dementias.

Education

Chapman University College Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology 1998

Saint Martin’s College Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology 1994

COURSE SCHEDULE / READING ASSIGNMENTS

Supplemental lecture notes will be provided to students in printed form distributed in class, and will be posted at the Moodle course site. Please complete all indicated textbook reading assignments before the start of each session.

Week 1 / Session 1: Tuesday, August 12 & Session 2: Thursday, August 14 Introduction / Review of course requirements / Discussion of issues from chapters 1 & 2. Assignment for sessions 3 & 4: read chapters 3 & 4.

Session 3: Tuesday, August 19 & Session 4: Thursday, August 21 Discussion of issues from chapters 3 & 4. Assignment for sessions 5 & 6: read chapters 5 & 6.

Session 5: Tuesday, August 26 & Session 6: Thursday, August 28 Discussion of issues from chapters 5 & 6 (part 1). Assignment for sessions 7 & 8: read chapter 7.

Session 7: Tuesday, September 2 & Session 8: Thursday, September 4 Discussion of issues from chapters 6 (part 2) & 7 (part 1). Assignment for sessions 9 & 10: read chapter 8.

Session 9: Tuesday, September 9 & Session 10: Thursday, September 11 Discussion of issues from chapters 7 (part 2) & 8. Assignment for sessions 11 & 12: read chapters 9 & 10. Submit any rough drafts by session 10.

Session 11: Tuesday, September 16 & Session 12: Thursday, September 18 Discussion of issues from chapters 9 & 10. Assignment for sessions 13 & 14: read chapters 11 & 12.

Session 13: Tuesday, September 23 & Session 14: Thursday, September 25 Discussion of issues from chapters 11 & 12. Assignment for sessions 15 & 16: read disciplinary action handouts.

Session 15: Tuesday, September 30 & Session 16: Thursday, October 2 Discussion of Washington state disciplinary action examples. Submit all assignments by session 16.

Students will discuss case study examples throughout the course.

Moodle course URL: moodle.stmartin.edu

GRADING STANDARDS

One (1) essay exam: up to 70 points (excluding extra credit questions)

One (1) research project: up to 40 points

One (1) extra credit project (for two or more absences): part of final grade

Class participation: up to 50 points

Total points: up to 160 points

I am willing to review rough drafts until session 9.

A+ = 4.0 ’ A = 4.0 ’ A- = 3.67 ’ B+ = 3.33 ’ B = 3.00 ’ B- = 2.67

C+ = 2.33 ’ C = 2.00 ’ C- = 1.67 ’ D+ = 1.33 ’ D = 1.00 ’ D- = .67 ’ F = 0.00

What does it take to earn…?

A category (100-90%) demonstrates significant understanding of major course concepts; critiques the work of others with respect and understanding of the material; offers new interpretations of course material and can provide valid explanations for perspectives. There is a high level of creativity present in written assignments.

B category (89-80%) demonstrates some evidence of understanding some/most of the major concepts; is able to agree or disagree when prompted; is skilled in basic level of support for opinions; offers an occasional divergent viewpoint.

C category (79-70%) has a superficial understanding of the material; offers inadequate support for perspectives; comments suggest that the textbook has not been read. Written work is sloppy in appearance, and the content suggests a last minute, unorganized “rush job”.

D category (69-60%) or F (59% and below) shows no significant understanding of material; no written work is submitted.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

Note: “All Saint Martin’s University assessments are mandatory and must be accomplished as a part of class course work.”

Requirements for the take-home, open book essay exam:

The seven (7) question exam will be based on your textbook, class discussions/lectures and your own perspective. Each answer is worth up to 10 points each. Your answers should be in complete sentence/paragraph form. Answer each question as thoroughly as you can - you’re not expected to write several pages for each answer, but do make an effort answering the questions with as much factual detail and personal perspective as you can.

As a general guideline, two and one half (2 ½ ) pages per answer is the minimum expected, although you may write more pages per answer. Offering only three sentences as an answer is not acceptable, nor is merely recopying the authors’ writing as your answer(s). These answers will be returned to the student for revision. Do use your own words/thoughts as much as possible, but when quoting from the textbook or any other outside reference source, use quotation marks and reference the author and page, for example: (Corey, et al, 2007, pg. 176).

Requirements for the Research Report / modern ethical issues in counseling

Each student will choose – from a provided list – one of the major ethical issues discussed in class and write a research report on the topic, answering the listed questions concerning the topic. You may use either one of your textbooks for this assignment, but each student is expected to utilize seven (7) different additional informational resources for his/her report. Each student is expected to write a minimum of eight (8) pages, NOT including the cover page and reference page. There is no maximum page limit.

The main elements of the paper will be on:

1. Your definition and description of your chosen topic.

2. What have current researchers / theorists written about your chosen topic?

3. Why is understanding your chosen topic important to the field of counseling, and to your professional life?

4. How does your chosen topic impact the professional and personal life of the counselor? How does it impact the life of the client?

5. What have you learned as a result of your research?

WRITING STYLE REQUIREMENTS

When supplementing your answers with information from other sources, cite those sources in your papers, and on a separate page using “APA Style” (a separate handout detailing how sources should be acknowledged on the reference page will be provided).

’ Use double spaced lines, with allover 1 inch margins.

’ APA writing style is appreciated, but not required, except for the cover and reference pages.

’ Use only readable fonts such as Times New Roman, Palatino, or Courier in 12 point only.

’ PROOFREAD everything you write, checking for grammar and spelling. Having someone else read your work can be very helpful in making corrections.

NOTE: I am willing to review rough drafts of all your written work.

POLICY ON ATTENDANCE

I understand that there are situations when you cannot attend a class session: active duty assignments, family responsibility, etc. I want to ensure that you get as much benefit and information out of the course as possible. Regular attendance is important to your instructor, and for each student’s learning experience.

I’m willing to make an exception if your absences are based on military duty (TDY and deployment in particular). Please contact me to discuss the situation as soon as you learn of your changes in duty.

Completion of this project will be considered part of your final grade. There will be no required extra credit for missing one (1) complete class session. The following are guidelines for extra credit for missed sessions:

If you miss two (2) or three (3) complete sessions: do one (1) article review.

If you miss four (4), five (5), or six (6) complete sessions: do two (2) article reviews.

If you miss seven (7) or more complete class sessions: please speak with me privately concerning this significant amount of absence.

Description of article analysis

In your own words, write a three (3) page, double spaced, typewritten analysis of the subject. The major focus of your analysis MUST be on how the article content relates to one of the concepts discussed in class and/or in your textbook. Use the APA style format for the cover page. Please include the article copy along with your analysis.

Areas to be discussed:

’ What is the content of the article and describe why you chose this article.

’ In general terms, how does the article content relate to course content?

’ Be very specific about how the article content is related to one (or more) of the psychological concepts as described in class or in a course textbook.

’ What is your personal perspective on the topic/concept?

CLASS MANAGEMENT

’ It is unethical for college / university instructors to date students or socialize with them on a peer-level. Because of the imbalance of power between teacher and student, and the accompanying ethical problems, I do not date or socialize with any of the students at Saint Martin’s University.

’ I understand that it is difficult for adult learners with jobs and family responsibilities to go to school, but please attend all sessions and be on time as much as possible. If you are unable to attend class, please let me know. If you arrive late, please take your seat as quietly as possible with a minimum of disruption.

’ Please check your email account at least twice a week for additional course material and information, as well as the accompanying Moodle course website.

’ As a reminder: if you are unable to complete course requirements on time, please contact me as soon as possible to review your options. I'm willing to help students successfully complete the course.

’ Students are always welcome to ask questions, share perspectives / ideas with the instructor and other students. However, crosstalk between students not paying attention to the lecture / in-class student discussion is not appropriate and is disruptive to the learning environment.

’ Students are expected to discuss a wide variety of topics with one another and with your instructor, in a respectful, mature manner that reflects the status of adult university students.

’ If your cell phone needs to be on (work duty or family emergency), please be as unobtrusive as possible while dealing with a call. All other students: turn your cell phones OFF during the class sessions. It is also very easy to detect when students are text messaging during a class lecture; it is advised that students refrain from doing so because it hinders the students’ learning process.

’ Students are responsible for keeping track of their absences from the course and the number of any required article reviews to be submitted.

DISABILITIES SUPPORT SERVICE EXPLANATION

Access/Disability Services:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) mandates colleges and universities to provide "reasonable accommodation" to any enrolled student with a disability. The law protects the student's rights to have an equalized opportunity for learning and for participating in campus programs and activities. Students have the right to services and reasonable accommodations providing they meet the basic requirements to perform activities of the program.

Saint Martin's University Student Services includes a Disability Support Services office which works with students and potential students. We arrange those accommodations that allow our students to participate in classes and activities and have equal access to a full education here at the university alongside their fellow students, in whatever format the class is offered.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have medical and/or safety concerns to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY

Saint Martin's University and your instructor appreciate integrity and honesty. Please use your own thoughts, words and ideas for your assignments. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If quoting from the work of another author, please give credit by acknowledging it in your paper using quotation marks and citing the information source. For example: “direct quote (Author name, 2008, page number)”.

When paraphrasing (or rephrasing) the work of another author, acknowledge by citing the information source. For example: paraphrased comments (Author name, 2008).

Academic dishonesty consists of any of the following acts:

From SMU's Student Handbook 2006-2007:

Assisting another student on examinations, tests, quizzes or other assignments, or receiving assistance from a student without permission of the instructor. Using unauthorized materials for assistance during examinations, tests or quizzes or other assignments.

Plagiarism.

Plagiarism is the act of using the words and ideas of others without giving proper credit. Common varieties of plagiarism include:

λ Having another individual write a paper or take an examination for a student.

λ Directly quoting material without using quotation marks or proper indentification.

λ Not giving credit for another person's original ideas and organization.

Plagiarism and cheating are considered unethical actions and a violation of academic policy. The procedures for dealing with these cases are outlined in the Saint Martin's University Student Handbook. The 2006-2007 Student Handbook can be accessed at:

SAINT MARTIN’S UNIVERSITY ONLINE

Website:

Extension Campus Webpage (includes term schedules and textbook lists)



Saint Martin’s University Main Campus Library:



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