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SAGE Journal User Guide

Article 1:

Hendricks, C. B. (2008). Introduction: Who are we? The role of ethics in shaping counselor identity. The Family Journal, 16(3), 258-260.

The new ethics section editor discusses ethical dilemmas facing professional counselors in today’s society and invites readers to contact him about their ideas, perspectives, and ethical situations. Ethics is discussed as a means of professional unification, whereas counselor identity and counselor wellness are identified as being integral to ethical behavior.

Questions to Consider:

1. The author begins by asking “Are we counselors who specialize through our training to work in various settings while still carrying the title ‘professional counselor?’” or “Are we, if we are in specialized settings, such as education, an educator first and a counselor second?” “Who are we?” “What is our ‘professional identity?’”  After reading this   article, what are your personal thoughts regarding your identity as a counselor? Is that identity shaped by your code of ethics?
2. Do you agree that it is a counselor’s professional duty to attend to self-care and wellness? Why or why not? Is your client’s state of wellness more important than your own? Whether you agreed or disagreed, are your behaviors congruent with your stated belief?
3. As a counselor in training, you might often ask yourself “Can I do that? Is it ethical?” “What about confidentiality?” “Who needs to sign this release form?” “Did you lock the file cabinet?”  What three responses would the author suggest you give to yourself? Are these congruent with your understanding of your ethical decision making steps?

Article 2:

Kimber, M., & Campbell, M. (2013). Exploring ethical dilemmas for principals arising from role conflict with school counsellors. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 1741143213499259.

Acting in the best interests of students is central to the moral and ethical work of schools. Yet tensions can arise between principals and school counsellors as they work from at times opposing professional paradigms. In this article we report on principals’ and counsellors’ responses to scenarios covering confidentiality and the law, student/teacher relationships, student welfare and psychological testing of students. This discussion takes place against an examination of ethics, ethical dilemmas and professional codes of ethics. While there were a number of commonalities among principals and school counsellors that arose from their common belief in education as a moral venture, there were also some key differences among them. These differences centered on the principals’ focus on the school as a whole and counsellors’ focus on the welfare of the individual student. A series of recommendations is offered to assist principals to navigate ethical dilemmas such as those considered in this article.

Questions to Consider:

1. How might these scenerios play out differently in a US school system? What aspects of     this article parallel our US system?
2. Applying  the 2014 American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, what would you add to this discussion?
3. What are your biggest concerns regarding balancing ethical principles, laws and     obligations to your contract with an employer? How will you resolve these concerns?