they relate to professional identity and competent, ethical practice.

Transcription

1 Toward An Understanding of the Interaction of Values and Systems and Their Relationship to Professional Identity, Ethical Practice and Competence Dena L. Moore, Ph.D., LPC S, NCC 9/26/2015 Description: Professional competence arises from multiple, multilayered and interacting systems. This presentation will explore the impact of personal, familial, organizational, social and cultural values on professional identity and competent practice. Participants will gain greater understanding and awareness as to the ways that various systems (and the values inherent to those systems) impact their professional identity and subsequently, competent and ethical practice. This presentation will offer hands-on exploration of relevant sections of the AAMFT, ACA, NAADAC and other professional codes of ethics as 1 they relate to professional identity and competent, ethical practice.

2 Group Exercise Introductions Take a moment to introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you. Pretend you are meeting this person for the first time. This person knows nothing about LPC, LMFT, or Licensed Addiction Counselor education, roles or functions. Introduce yourself to the person in such a way that you describe yourself in terms of your professional identity. 2

3 The various systems we operate within shape, and are shaped by personal and professional values. 3

4 Why are we here today? Personal Values Competent Practice Professional Values Professional Identify Professional Codes 4

5 Counselors are aware of personal and professional values. 5

6 Personal Values ACA Code of Ethics (2014) A.4.b. Personal Values Counselors are aware of and avoid imposing their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselor s values are inconsistent with the client s goals or are discriminatory in nature. 6

7 Use circles to identify the systems within which you interact in your personal life, include yourself as a system. Identify the top 3 (spoken or unspoken) values (to the best of your understanding) in each of those systems. 7

8 Four main tenets of the counseling profession s philosophy (ACA, 2014; Remley & Herlihy, 2007) (a) the wellness perspective; (b) a developmental orientation; (c) a focus on prevention and preventive care; (d) client empowerment. 8

9 According to ACA (2014), professional values are an important way of living out an ethical commitment. These are the core professional values of the counseling profession: enhancing human development throughout the lifespan; honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts; promoting social justice; safeguarding the integrity of the counselor-client relationship; and practicing in a competent and ethical manner. 9

10 Use circles to identify the systems within which you interact in your professional life, include yourself as a system. Identify the top 3 (spoken or unspoken) values (to the best of your understanding) in each of those systems. 10

11 Two types of ethics for our consideration Mandatory ethics Aspirational ethics is the pertain to the professional requirements that are put in place legally to keep professionals out of legal trouble. understanding of the purpose of the ethical statues and living by these ethical standards as a way of life. In simple terms, doing more than just the letter of the law. 11

12 Six Main Purposes of ACA Code of Ethics (2014) Sets forth ethical obligations of ACA members and provides guidance intended to inform the ethical practice of professional counselors. Identifies ethical considerations relevant to professional counselors and counselors-in-training. Serves as an ethical guide designed to assist members in constructing a course of action that best serves those utilizing counseling services and establishes expectations of conduct with a primary emphasis on the role of the professional counselor. Helps support the mission of ACA. Enables ACA to clarify for current and prospective members, and for those served by members, the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by its members. Serves as the basis for processing inquiries and ethics complaints concerning ACA members. 12

13 Introduction to NAADAC/NCC AP Ethical Standards (2011) Ethics are generally regarded as the standards that govern the conduct of a person. Smith and Hodges define ethics as a human reflecting self-consciously on the act of being a moral being. This implies a process of self-reflection and awareness of how to behave as a moral being. Some definitions are dictated by law, individual belief systems, religion or a mixture of all three. 13

14 Introduction to NAADAC/NCC AP Ethical Standards (cont.) NAADAC recognizes that its members and certified counselors live and work in many diverse communities. NAADAC has established a set of ethical bestpractices that apply to universal ethical deliberation. NAADAC recognizes and encourages the notion that personal and professional ethics cannot be dealt with as separate domains. 14

15 Introduction to NAADAC/NCC AP Ethical Standards (cont.) NAADAC members, addiction professionals and/or licensed/certified treatment recognize that the ability to do well is based on an underlying concern for the well-being of others. This concern emerges from recognition that we are all stakeholders in each other's lives - the well-being of each is intimately bound to the well-being of all; that when the happiness of some is purchased by the unhappiness of others, the stage is set for the misery of all. Addiction professionals must act in such a way that they would have no embarrassment if their behavior became a matter of public knowledge and would have no difficulty defending their actions before any competent authority. 15

16 Principles forming a foundation for ethical behavior and decision making (ACA, 2014) Autonomy, or fostering the right to control the direction of one s life; Nonmaleficence, or avoiding actions that cause harm; Beneficence, or working for the good of the individual and society by promoting mental health and well-being; 16

17 Principles forming a foundation for ethical behavior and decision making (ACA, 2014) Fidelity, or honoring commitments and keeping promises, including fulfilling one s responsibilities of trust in professional relationships; Veracity, or dealing truthfully with individuals with whom counselors come into professional contact; Justice, or treating individuals equitably and fostering fairness and equality. 17

18 What Is My Professional Identity? (CACREP, 2007) History and Philosophy Roles and Functions Advocacy Ethical Standards of Professional Organizations and Credentials 18

19 Rate yourself on a scale of 0 5 with regard to your knowledge of (0 = no knowledge; 5 = I ve got this! ): Your profession s history and philosophy The roles and functions of professionals within your discipline Professional advocacy Ethical standards of professional organization 19

20 Using a venn-type diagram, draw the values that overlap or coincide. Use the left side of the document to indicate the personal values that conflict or do not coincide with your professional values. On the right side of the document indicate those professional values that do not coincide with your personal values. 20

21 Let s tie it all together! Go back and look at your diagram of the various systems and their values that you identified earlier. Knowing more now about competent practice, consider the ways that systems and values impact professional identity and competence. Talk about the ways that your personal values might impact your professional identity and competence. Using either the ethics codes or our professional identity scaling opportunity pick one area that you can improve upon and identify one strategy you can undertake to increase one point on the scale. Finally, re-introduce yourself to the same person, now including each of the domains of professional identity. 21