Reference no: EM133318863

Question 1 Michelle is a school counsellor who has been assigned to supervise a student trainee- counsellor on internship, Bob. As she observes Bob working with primary school children, she is increasingly impressed with his skills. She asks him to work with Peter, a 9-year-old, who has not adjusted well to his parents' recent divorce. Again, she is impressed with Bob's skills, his warmth and understanding and ultimately, the success he has in working with Peter. Michelle is a single-parent who is concerned about her 9- year old son. She decides to ask Bob to see him. Bob is complimented by her confidence in him. Michelle's son attends a different school, but she arranges to have Bob see him after school hours in her home.

a) Analyse what possible (value) conflicts might arise if Bob were to accept Michelle's invitation.

b) Discuss Bob's ethical responsibilities as a trainee-counsellor.

Question 2 Rob discloses to his counsellor, Tammy that he is HIV-positive. Tammy informs him that under local laws, he is required to contact his sexual partners and inform them of his status. Rob had a series of sexual partners in the past, but for the past 18 months, Rob has been in a committed relationship with Sue and they are expecting a baby in two months' time.

Tammy learns that Rob has not only not told Sue about being HIV-positive, but has no intentions of doing so. He informs Tammy that he will stop seeing her if she informs Sue without his consent.

a) Apply the relevant sections of the SAC (Singapore Association for Counselling) Code of Ethics and interpret the ethical consideration of confidentiality, and its limitations for the above scenario.

b) Comment on the clinical issues Tammy needs to be aware of in deciding her next course of action.

Question 3 Demonstrate with FOUR (4) scenarios (make up your own) why ethical thinking is necessary in ethical decision-making, instead of just relying on a code of ethics.

Question 4 Transference refers to redirection of a client's feelings from a significant person to a helping professional, which might sometimes be manifested as an erotic attraction towards the helping professional. It is usually being seen as an "unreal relationship" in therapy, which the helping professional has to deal with appropriately.

a) Describe FOUR (4) common scenarios with practical examples of clients' transference during the counselling process.

b) Elaborate on TWO(2) clinical implications of transference, illustrating with ONE (1) example each.

Question 5

A recently migrated Asian couple started seeing an Australian counsellor for marriage guidance. In the session, the husband seems quite controlled and reserved, whereas the wife cries often and says little. The counsellor is a novice in the area of multicultural differences, but has completed some workshops in multicultural counselling. The counsellor has learned that in Asian cultures, restraint of strong feelings is considered to be a sign of maturity, whereas too much talking could be viewed as impolite, and that the husband is usually the more dominant member of the relationship.

Conscious of these cultural differences, the counsellor avoids talking too much and attempts to refer to the husband for most of the exchanges. The counsellor is also conscious of their silence, but wishes not to be disrespectful in challenging the couple to open up further. As a result, the counsellor himself feels uncomfortable and stifled, ineffective as a counsellor.

a) Discuss the importance of values and multicultural perspectives in counselling.

b) With reference to Section B2 - General Conduct in the SAC Code of Ethics , analyse what is happening with the counsellor above, and give FIVE (5) suggestions how the counsellor could deal with the couple better.