Ethical Codes for Counsellors

The Problem
The Whose Records scenario entails a counselor and a patient. The patient wants to
terminate counseling because she does not find the sessions helpful. She also wants the counselor
to give her all the records she has kept concerning her, as well as any other records she may have
acquired from the client’s previous counselors. The counselor tries to convince the client to
continue with counseling as four weeks is n an adequate period to have any notable benefits for
their sessions. However, the client cannot hear any of that and wants to terminate the counseling
and her records as well. In the end, the counselor seems reluctant to provide the records and even
insists that the records that she has might not benefit the client in any way. The prole here is an
ethical one. It is unethical for the counselor to deny the client her records.
Applicable ACA Codes
Code A.11.c on appropriate termination requires counselors to terminate the counseling
relationship in the event that it becomes apparent that the client is unlikely to benefit from the
sessions (American Counseling Association, 2014). In the case presented in the scenario, the
client already finds the sessions unhelpful and wants to terminate the relationship, and, in this
case, the counselor is ethically obliged to terminate the relationship.
Code B.6 on records and documentation states that all counselors create and maintain
proper documentation of client visits and any necessary information that they may need to render
professional service (American Counseling Association, 2014). When the counselor states that
the records may be of little help to the client, she is acting unprofessionally. It may be that she

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did not keep any useful records and thus would have been unable to render any professional
assistance to the client.
Code B.6.e on client access to records states that counselors should provide reasonable
access to records and copies of records when a competent client makes such a request (American
Counseling Association, 2014). Counselors are only allowed to limit clients’ access only when
there is compelling evidence showing that allowing clients access to those records wholly or in
part would cause harm to them. In the case presented in the scenario, the counselor has no
compelling evidence to deny the client her records. She is therefore acting unethically by
refusing to give them to her.
Further, code B.6.f on assistance with records requires that counselors help clients in
interpreting the counseling records whenever clients request to see those records. In this
scenario, the counselor is unwilling to offer such assistance hence the reason she tells the client
that even if she gives the records, they will not be helpful as she will not understand them.
Applicable State Codes
Colorado state codes require counselors to terminate the counseling relationship if the
client is not benefiting (Colorado Code of Ethics, 2019). In the scenario provided, the client
makes it clear that she does not find the sessions helpful to her, and that is enough reason to have
the relationship terminated.
Dimensions of the Dilemma
The problem presents an ethical dilemma. There are various moral principles that the
counselor should apply in addressing the issue at hand. First, the principle of autonomy addresses
a counselor’s respect for a client’s independence and self-determination (Davis & Forester-Miller,

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2011). The importance of this principle is that a counselor should allow the client the freedom to
make choices and the necessary course of action. The counselor should encourage the client to
make their own decisions and act on individual values whenever possible. The counselor in the
scenario does not act in accordance with the principle. She appears to be second-guessing the
client’s decisions. The client wants to terminate the relationship, but the counselor insists it is too
soon. Also, the client wants her records, but the counselor is reluctant and insists that they will
not be helpful. She acts contrary to this principle.
The principle of beneficence entails the counselor’s responsibility to make contributions
geared towards enhancing the client’s welfare (Davis & Forester-Miller, 2011). It means doing
good. The counselor in the scenario does not do good in terms of supporting the client’s
decisions. She does not seem willing to let the client terminate the counseling relationship. The
client requests for her records, and the counselor does not act in a cooperative way.
Further, the principle of fidelity requires the counselor not to leave any counseling
obligations unfulfilled as this would threaten the therapeutic relationship (Davis & Forester-
Miller, 2011). The counselor does not help the client in understanding her counseling records and
thus acts contrary to this principle.
These principles apply to the ethical dilemma presented in the scenario. If the counselor
had followed them keenly, she would have been able to resolve the ethical dilemma. The three
principles would have provided direction, useful in determining her course of action.
Applicable Federal Mental Health Laws
Federal mental health laws require that a counselor terminates the counseling relationship
in a way that fosters the client’s ability to function independently. The health laws also require

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the counselor to interpret diagnostic information, medical data, and records to the client
(Committee on the Qualifications of Professionals Providing Mental Health Counseling Services
under TRICARE, & Board on the Health of Select Populations, 2009). This is aimed at ensuring
that the client understands their condition and the current status at the time of termination of
services.
Potential Course of Action
If I was in the counselor’s position, I would have provided the records to the clients.
Since the records are written in a manner that may be difficult for the client to understand, I
would guide her in understanding them. Also, I would provide the client with the records from
other counselors. Luepker (2018) argues that a counselor’s records are a useful tool that
strengthens the therapeutic relationship between the counselor and the client. That said, allowing
a client access helps ensure that even if the counseling relationship ends, the client may consider
coming back if the need arises in the future. It helps cement a professional relationship between
the client and the counselor. I would therefore have provided the records and even offered help
in interpreting them.
Further, I would have ended the relationship as requested by the client without any
hesitation. According to Moola (2019), counseling relationships may end prematurely upon the
client’s request. The scholar states that although separation may be one of the most arduous
experiences among human beings, it is sometimes necessary. Sometimes, counselors may fear
that if counseling relationships are terminated prematurely, then the client may go home with
many unresolved issues. However, while this may be in the client’s best interest, the counselor
cannot and should not compel a client to continue with counseling if they do not want to. Thus, if
I were the counselor in the scenario, I would have let the client go.

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References

American Counseling Association. (2014). American Counseling Association code of
ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
Colorado Code of Ethics. “Code of Ethics.” Colorado Association of Psychotherapists, 20 Apr.
2019, coloradopsychotherapists.org/code-of-ethics/.
Committee on the Qualifications of Professionals Providing Mental Health Counseling Services
under TRICARE, & Board on the Health of Select Populations. (2009). Provision of
mental health counseling services under TRICARE. National Academies Press.
Davis, T., & Forester-Miller, H. (2011). A Practitioner’s guide to ethical decision
making. Dictionary. com.(nd). Retrieved, 12.
Luepker, E. T. (2018). Record keeping in psychotherapy and counseling: Protecting
confidentiality and the professional relationship. Routledge.
Moola, F. J. (2019). Therapeutic endings: Reflections on the termination of counselling-based
research relationships among patients with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers. Time &
Society, 28(1), 358-374.