Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T06:28:04.190Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An examination of the ethical dilemmas of school counsellors: opinions and solution recommendations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2020

Fatih Camadan Open the ORCID record for Fatih Camadan [Opens in a new window] ,
Cem Topsakal Open the ORCID record for Cem Topsakal [Opens in a new window]  and
İnci Sadıkoğlu Open the ORCID record for İnci Sadıkoğlu [Opens in a new window]
Fatih Camadan*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, Turkey
Cem Topsakal
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, Turkey
İnci Sadıkoğlu
Affiliation:
Ministry of National Education, Gülbahar Hatun Preschool, Rize, Turkey
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Ethical dilemmas are concerning for school counsellors in Turkey. This article presents findings of a qualitative study exploring the views and suggestions of 16 school counsellors in Rize, Turkey. Content analysis was performed on the data obtained from interviews with the participants. The results of the study showed that the school counsellors had the most knowledge about the competency principle of school counselling codes of ethics. The study also showed that regarding legal aspects of school counselling, the participating counsellors had the most knowledge about professional duties and responsibilities, yet they considered themselves inadequate in terms of both professional ethics and legal aspects of counselling. It was concluded that the school counsellors were confronted with ethical dilemmas mostly in cases of confidentiality, and it was understood that the counsellors mostly chose to do research to overcome these dilemmas.

Keywords

School counsellorsethicsethical dilemmas
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 31 , Issue 1 , June 2021 , pp. 76 - 93
Check for updates
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Counseling Association (ACA). (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdfGoogle Scholar
American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (2016). Ethical standards for school counselors. Alexandria, VA: Author. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdfGoogle Scholar
Australian Counselling Association (ACA). (2019). Code of Ethics and Practice. https://www.theaca.net.au/documents/ACA%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20and%20Practice%20Ver15.pdfGoogle Scholar
Aydın, İ. (2014). Managerial, professional and organizational ethics. Ankara, Turkey: Pegem-A Publishing.Google Scholar
Beauchamp, T., & Childress, J. (2001). Principles of biomedical ethics. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Bodenhorn, N. (2006). Exploratory study of common and challenging dilemmas experienced by Professional school counseling. Professional School Counseling, 10, 195–202.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bond, T. (2015). Standards and ethics for counselling in action. London, UK: Sage Publishing.Google Scholar
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). (2018). Ethical framework for the counselling professions. https://www.bacp.co.uk/media/3103/bacp-ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions-2018.pdfGoogle Scholar
Brown, T., Armstrong, S.A., Bore, S., & Simpson, C. (2017). Using an ethical decision-making model to address ethical dilemmas in school counseling. Journal of School Counseling, 15, 1–30.Google Scholar
Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E.K., Akgün, Ö.E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2012). Scientific research methods. Ankara, Turkey: Pegem-A Publishing.Google Scholar
Camadan, F. (2018). Psychological counsellor’s conflict: Ethical dilemma. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 8, 76–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Camadan, F. (2020). Ethical dilemmas and decision-making models in psychological counseling. In Ekiz, F.E. (Ed.), Professional ethics and legal issues (pp. 53–79). Ankara, Turkey: Pegem-A Publishing.Google Scholar
Corey, G. (2005). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Nelson Education.Google Scholar
Corey, G., Corey, M.S., & Callanan, P. (2011). Issues and ethics in the helping profession, Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.Google Scholar
Cormier, S., & Hackney, H. (2013). Counseling strategies and interventions. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.Google Scholar
Cottone, R.R., & Tarvdays, V.M. (2007). Counseling ethics and decision making. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.Google Scholar
Council of Higher Education (CHE). (2018). New teacher training undergraduate programs: Guidance and psychological counseling undergraduate program. https://www.memurlar.net/common/news/documents/749268/rehberlik_ve_psikolojik_danismanlik_lisans_programi.pdfGoogle Scholar
Cranston, N., Ehrich, L., & Kimber, M. (2003). The ‘right’ decision? Towards an understanding of ethical dilemmas for school leaders, Westminster Studies in Education, 26, 135–147.Google Scholar
Craven, F.R., & Hirnle, J.C. (1996). Ethics in nursing. In Henshaw, C. (Ed.), Fundamentals of nursing human health and function (pp. 40–41). Lippincott.Google Scholar
Crespi, T.D., & Dube, J.M. (2006). Clinical supervision in school psychology: Challenges, considerations and ethical and legal issues for clinical supervisors. The Clinical Supervisor, 24, 115–135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Creswell, J.W., & Poth, C.N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Dağlı, S. (2014). A qualitative analysis of school counsellor a guidance’s job perception (Unpublished doctoral thesis). İstanbul University, İstanbul. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezSorguSonucYeni.jspGoogle Scholar
Davis, J.L., & Mickelson, D.J. (1994). School counselors: Are you aware of ethical and legal aspects of counseling? The School Counselor, 42, 5–13.Google Scholar
Erdur-Baker, Ö., & Çetinkaya, E. (2007). Ethics: Breaking point in behavior. In Özyürek, R., Owen, F.K. & Owen, D.W. (Eds.), Developing psychological counseling and guidance (pp. 163–182). Ankara, Turkey: Nobel Publishing.Google Scholar
Ergene, T. (2004). Ethical dilemmas in psychological counseling: Ethical decision-making process. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 15, 49–55.Google Scholar
Forester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. (1996). A practitioner’s guide to ethical decision making, Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.Google Scholar
Garcia, J.G., Cartwright, B., Winston, S.M., & Borzuchowska, B. (2003). A transcultural integrative model for ethical decision making in counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 81, 268–277.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Green, J., & Walker, K. (2009). A contingency model for ethical decision-making by educational leaders. International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, 4, 1–10.Google Scholar
Gümüş, M.A., & Eren Gümüş, A. (2013). Relation of professional ethic rules with ethical rules and legal rules. In A. Eren, G. & M. Alper G. (Eds.), Ethics and law in psychological counseling. İstanbul, Turkey: Vedat Publishing.Google Scholar
Güngör, Z. (2010). Examination of the perceptions of the counselors and the supervisors about the profession who study in the counseling field (Unpublished master thesis). İnönü University, Malatya. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezSorguSonucYeni.jspGoogle Scholar
Gunz, S., & Gunz, H. (2008). Ethical decision making and the employed lawyer. Journal of Business Ethics, 81, 927.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hartley, M.T., & Cartwright, B.Y. (2016). A survey of current and projected ethical dilemmas of rehabilitation counselors. Rehabilitation Research, Policy and Education, 30, 32–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hill, M., Glaser, K., & Harden, J. (1998). A feminist model for ethical decision making. Women & Therapy, 21, 101–121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hinkeldey, N.S., & Spokane, A.R. (1985). Effects of pressure and legal guideline clarity on counselor decision making in legal and ethical conflict situations. Journal of Counseling & Development, 64, 240–245.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hubert, R.M., & Freeman, L.T. (2004). Report of the ACA ethics committee: 2002–2003. Journal of Counseling & Development, 82, 248–251.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
İkiz, F.E., Sensoy, G., Balkan, K., & Akıman, H. (2017a). Perceptions of counselors about occupational ethics: Investigation on special workers. Journal of the Human and Social Sciences Researches, 6, 152–171.Google Scholar
İkiz, F.E., Sevinç, A., Kaval, A., Yeğintürk, G., & Kalen, S. (2017b). Determining the profession’s ethical requirements in school psychological counseling services. Turkish Journal of Business Ethics, 10, 223–245.Google Scholar
Knapp, S.J., & Vandecreek, L.D. (2006). Practical ethics for psychologists. A positive approach. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kolay Akfert, S. (2012). Ethical dilemmas experienced by psychological counsellors working at different institutions and their attitudes and behaviors as a response to these dilemmas. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 12, 1791–1812.Google Scholar
Korkut, Y. (2014). Ethics teaching manual for psychologists. Ankara, Turkey: Turkish Psychological Association Publishing.Google Scholar
Kutlu, H.A. (2008). Accounting professional members and the ethical kinds of employees: A research in Kars and Erzurum provinces. Ankara University SBF Journal, 63, 143–170.Google Scholar
Lambie, G.W., Hagedorn, W.B., & Ieva, K.P. (2010). Social-cognitive development, ethical and legal knowledge, and ethical decision making of counselor education students. Counselor Education and Supervision, 49, 228–246.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lawrence, G., & Kurpius, S.E.R. (2000). Legal and ethical issues involved when counseling minors in nonschool settings. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78, 130–136.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lazovsky, R. (2008). Maintaining confidentiality with minors: Dilemmas of school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 11, 335–346.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindsay, G., & Clarkson, P. (1999). Ethical dilemmas of psychotherapists. New York, NY: Oxford.Google Scholar
Loe, T.W., Ferrell, L., & Mansfield, P. (2000). A review of empirical studies assessing ethical decision making in business. Journal of Business Ethics, 25, 185–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Luke, M., Goodrich, K.M., & Gilbride, D.D. (2013). Intercultural model of ethical decision making: Addressing worldview dilemmas in school counseling. Counseling and Values, 58, 177–194.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lune, H., & Berg, B.L. (2016). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Pearson Higher Ed.Google Scholar
Mallari, M.G.D., & Tariman, J.D. (2016). Ethical frameworks for decision-making in nursing practice and research: An integrative literature review. Journal of Nursing Practice Applications & Reviews of Research, 7, 50–57.Google Scholar
McLennan, V., Ryan, K., & Randall, C. (2018). Ethical dilemmas experienced by Australian rehabilitation counsellors. Online Journal of Health Ethics, 14, 7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mendes, S.A., Nascimento, I.M., Abreu-Lima, I.M., & Almeida, L.S. (2016). A study of the ethical dilemmas experienced by school psychologists in Portugal. Ethics & Behavior, 26, 395–414.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miles, M, B., & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Mullen, P.R., Lambie, G.W., & Conley, A.H. (2014). Development of the ethical and legal issues in counseling self-efficacy scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 47, 62–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mullen, P.R., Lambie, G.W., Griffith, C., & Sherrell, R. (2016). School counselors’ general self-efficacy, ethical and legal self-efficacy and ethical and legal knowledge. Ethics & Behavior, 26, 415–430.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nigro, T. (2004). Counselors’ experiences with problematic dual relationships. Ethics & Behavior, 14, 51–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robson, C., & McCartan, K. (2016). Real world research. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
Sadeghi, M., Fischer, J.M., & House, S.G. (2003). Ethical dilemmas in multicultural counseling. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 31, 179–191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sensoy, G., & İkiz, F.E. (2019, May). Ethics in school counseling: 20 years. Paper presented at 1st International Science, Education, Art, & Technology Symposium, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir.Google Scholar
Siviş-Çetinkaya, R. (2014). Ethical dilemmas of Turkish counselors: A critical incidents study. British Journal of Guidance & Counseling, 43, 476–491.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sönmez, V., & Alacapınar, F.G. (2016). Sampled scientific research methods. Ankara, Turkey: Anı Publishing.Google Scholar
Swancy, A.G. (2019). Navigating an ethical dilemma through a feminist model: The work of psychologists with adolescent and young adults (AYA) with cancer. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 50, 240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tarvydas, V., & Barros-Bailey, M. (2010). Ethical dilemmas of rehabilitation counselors: Results of an international qualitative study. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 53, 204–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taşdan, M., & Yalçın, İ. (2007). Ethics in psychological counseling and guidance. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, 8, 99–107.Google Scholar
Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association (TPCGA). (2011). Code of Ethics for Psychological Counseling and Guidance. Ankara, Turkey: Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association Publishing. https://acikders.ankara.edu.tr/pluginfile.php/44163/mod_resource/content/0/PDR%20Etik.pdfGoogle Scholar
Türnüklü, A. (2000). A qualitative research technique that can be used effectively in educational science research: Interview. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 24, 543–559.Google Scholar
Úriz, M.J., Idareta, F., Viscarret, J.J., & Ballestero, A. (2017). Methodologies for ethical decision making in social work. Ljetopis Socijalnog Rada, 24, 33–54.Google Scholar
Welfel, E.R. (2006). Ethics in counseling and psychotherapy, Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.Google Scholar
Yam, F.C. (2017). The feelings, thoughts and behaviors of the psychological counsellors in the face of ethical dilemmas and the obstacles for solutions: A qualitative evaluation. The Journal of International Social Research, 10, 465–477.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2013). Qualitative research methods in social sciences. Ankara, Turkey: Seçkin Publishing.Google Scholar