You work in a setting where you have a limited amount of time (or number of sessions) that you

can offer each student/client before referring out. One student/client you've really connected
with asks if you'll make an exception since they don't think they'll be able to open up to
someone else as much as they have with you.

My initial gut reaction is that I want to do what I can to help the client, however, I hold an
accountability to my other clients to not offer any expectations and remain fair in my
interactions/sessions with each client.

The problem is that one of my client’s has asked me to extend the number of sessions I can
provide them, though I am very limited to the time I can offer my client’s. Considering the
ethical standards of the ACA and NC state laws involved is crucial to working towards resolving
the dilemma. Since NC has adopted the ACA Code of Ethics, I am legally and ethically expected
to uphold the code. According to the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), my responsibility is to avoid
harm (A.4.a), maintain boundaries (section A.6), advocate for the client (A.7.a), and avoid
abandoning or neglecting the client (section A.11). I need to prioritize non-maleficence and
justice.

For my course of action, I will complete the following:

(1) Explain the situation to my supervisor and discuss the option of extending the number of
sessions offered to the client.
(2) Explain to the client that in order to best meet the needs of each client, staying on track
with the required number of sessions is important.
(3) Discuss with the client ways to foster a comfortable, inviting environment to help with the
client opening up.
Documentation will be completed to address the situation including all actions that I took and
the rationale behind each decision.

Upon applying the ACA Code of Ethics, I notice that my current reaction is very similar to my
initial reaction. I thought of courses of action that would work towards benefiting my client and
uphold a positive therapeutic relationship. However, I also thought of courses of action that
take into consideration my other clients and upholding my responsibility of treating all clients
as equals.

Your site supervisor says that since you really need more direct hours you can "do regular time
plus half for all your sessions".

My initial gut reaction was “oh no, I don’t think so.” I knew immediately this was not ok and
was not something I was in agreeance with. One of the responsibilities of a counselor is to
remain honest, which includes the time prior to becoming a licenses clinician.

The problem is that my site supervisor is telling me to incorrectly log my hours in order to meet
the required number of direct hours. In considering the ethical standards involved, I will utilize
the ACA (2014) as well as NC state laws, in which I am legally and ethically expected to uphold
the ACA Code of Ethics. According to the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), my responsibility is to
manage and maintain boundaries and professional relationships (section A.6), report accurate,
honest, and objective information (C.6.a), alert my supervisor of inappropriate practices (D.1.g),
and maintaining a supervisory relationship (section F.3). I need to prioritize non-maleficence
and fidelity.

For my course of action, I will complete the following:

(1) Discuss concerns with my university supervisor to create a more appropriate course of
action.
(2) Discuss options to increase the number of direct hours received with my site supervisor.
To address the situation, documentation will be completed including all actions that I took and
the rationale behind each decision.

Upon applying the ACA Code of Ethics, I notice that my current reaction and my initial reaction
correlate. I created courses of action that included alternate options to upholding integrity both
at my site at with my university.
 Reference:
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of ethics. ACA: Alexandria, VA. Retrieved
from https://www.counseling.org/Resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf