123 public child welfare system H u m a n i t i e s

What I know about ethical practices with couples and families that I did not realize the confidentiality code of ethics. As stated by Bass and Quimby., (2006) and Hecker and Murphy., (2015), the counselor is not sharing information about other parties regarding their infidelity or additional sensitive information without the other’s consent.

What surprised me about couples and families counseling if a person going through counseling wants to bring in someone else, that person will have their confidentiality agreement and therapeutic alliance. What intimidates me is keeping things that one person says from another party while trying to keep the therapeutic alliance and counseling moving forward.

What will be challenging for me is trying to multi task counseling two people or a family. I know the dynamics are different when treating a couple or family compared to an individual. It would be overwhelming for me to have to manage to do this, especially if tension is high in the room.

I will incorporate ethics into my professional development by sticking to the code of ethics as a guideline for “how” I should conduct myself with my clients. The code of ethics serves as the “how” I need to work to ensure every one of my clients is safe, and most important things will be accounted for to protect and keep the therapeutic alliance with clients.

I would have handled some of the situations presented in the video probably the same because it’s the confidentiality and safety of the client (s). I’m not sure what I would do until I’m in the situation. I hope I make the right decision and do the right thing for the client. 

2)Main Discussion-KaBreisha Esters

After reading several of this week’s resources, I am more aware of the complexity involved in the ethical standards for couples and families, especially when dealing with confidentiality as a group and individually. I’m more aware that although we learn about confidentiality in counseling, counseling couples and families involves more in depth codes and understanding due to the potential conflict of interest when doing sessions as a whole and individually.

I was surprised about the dynamic of the Family Secrets video from this week. I found it interesting to watch the dynamic between the family as they discussed secrets. I wondered if it was somewhat awkward for the family to openly have this discussion. Most families keep family secrets and dare not discuss them even though it could probably play a big role in the relationships between those in the family. It was this thought in my mind about the raw honesty being shared and expressed amongst the family and if they thought addressing this family issue was beneficial or if they regretted it afterwards. 

I think it will be challenging and intimidating for me when working with couples and families when it comes to confidentiality. What will I do when an individual discloses a secret in an individual session and I have to watch the dynamic between this individual with the couple/family and just know this potential, big secret? I know counselors have to know confidentiality and uphold it, but it’s just intimidating to know the truth when the truth isn’t being shared amongst the collective(family) or couple.

I will always try to uphold my ethical duties as a counselor. I think that learning the codes of ethics, refreshers of these codes, and making sure I get professional advice or knowledge of the grey areas within these codes will help me while professionally developing. This keeps me sharp and able to fulfill my best capability of performing as a counselor.

I think initially starting off, I would have possibly not been so direct and maybe more shy with handing such a dynamic. However, I think the more I deal with couples and families, I’d facilitate the same and not have done things so differently, but instead the same. I think it would only be with comfortability with my job and duty as a counselor and knowing I am doing my best and doing it ethically. It’s intimidating to know that it may not be received from the couple or family due to uncomfortableness from addressing problems straightforward and wanting to hide from the truth. However, that is something I have to understand I will experience, but know that I’m doing my job overall.     

Respond 3Kavita Laroiya’s main post

The case study you selected, the client and mental health issue you identified, and the intervention you selected for treating the issue in counseling.

I chose to discuss Case Study 1 which is about Chole, who is an 8-year-old African American female. She was brought into counseling do due to being placed in foster care after the Department of Human Services investigated and determined Chloe’s mother was unfit to care for Chloe. Chloe’s mother used drugs and to pay for her drugs she would allow adult men to sexually abuse Chloe. These concerns started when she was 5 years old however now, the accusations were substantiated. When she was placed in foster care, she showed signs of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). “The ICD-10 details that children with RAD may exhibit misery, huddling, clinginess, an inappropriate lack of response, or aggression” (Bruce, Young, et al, 2019). She cries easily, does not like being away from her foster parents, stays to herself, and not does participate in any learning or social activities. When Elaine, her foster mother, drops her off at school, daycare, or swimming lessons she becomes nervous, tearful, and as a result, will bite her nails till they bleed. At school, she isolates herself and is falling behind in her schoolwork which is causing her teachers to be concerned. (Walden University, 2021). Based on this information I feel the best way to help Chloe is to help her is attachment therapy.

Explain the findings of the article and how the research article results in a match or was different from what you expected to find.

The article which I have read talked about how attachment therapy is effective in children who suffer from Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). In this study, there were 24 adopted children who suffer from RAD in Georgia. While there isn’t much research done on attachment disorder in children this study has shown that his therapy can be highly effective on children. “Pretest and posttest data on the Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire (RADQ) and on the total score of the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) show statistically significant improvement for the children who received therapy in this program as measured from the perspective of their adoptive mothers” (Wimmer, Vonk, & Bordnick, 2009). From the finding from my research, I feel it will help Chloe, as she is not adopted, she, however, is living in foster care. With this therapy, she can strengthen her bond with her foster mother which can help her with her attachment issues as well as being able to trust adults again.

Did your findings change your perception of the intervention?

Would you choose to use this intervention with your client in the case study based on the contents of the article?

The article which I read did not change my perception about the intervention as I feel this could really help Chloe move on in her life and bond close relationships with people around her. Based on the case study I feel this intervention can be highly effective for Chloe. Attachment theory is a very interesting topic in the counseling profession and attachment is based on how people interact with people and explains their behaviors. Based on Chloe’s past she has never had that bond with her mother or an adult-like figure and based on that if she kept on going like that, she would have had a hard time developing relationships with other people. When Chloe moved in with her foster mother, it’s clear she likes her foster mother and feels safe with her. However, when Chloe is away from her foster mother, Chloe starts to feel nervous and does not know what to do. During this time, it’s important to intervene and create a bond within herself to know it’s okay if she’s not with her foster mother when at school, daycare, or swimming training.

Cite content from the article you identified to support your post. Also, include a reference for this article in your post.

“Attachment theory is based on the premise that infants need to form a strong bond with their mother or another primary caregiver during their first year of life. A consistent, emotionally responsive caregiver is necessary for the development of emotional wellbeing and emotional attunement to others (Bowlby 1980; Bowlby et al. 1966; Solomon and George 1999). Unfortunately, most children placed in the 352 J. S. Wimmer et al. 123 public child welfare system have lacked this quality of care in their family of origin” (Wimmer, Vonk, & Bordnick, 2009). Based on this information from the article I feel it is very important for Chloe to feel a sense of attachment and be able to trust and bond in the relationship.