Sandra worked as a counselor in a large elementary school with students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Sandras primary duties included counseling individuals and small groups, teaching classroom guidance lessons, and consulting with parents, teachers, and administrators. Shortly after the school year, a parent called Sandra and explained that her son, Nathan, a fourth grade student at Sandras school, was experiencing difficulties in school where none had existed before. Sandra invited the mother, Julie, to her office to discuss specific concerns. During this initial consultation Julie divulged that her husband, Robert, had recently moved out of the house. Nathan, being the oldest of three siblings, was especially upset with the situation and had shown recent outbursts of anger both at home and at school. Teachers had also notified Julie that Nathans school work was slipping badly. Julie tearfully revealed that her husband had physically assaulted her, and that although he had never abused the children, they were certainly affected. Sandra and Julie decided that Nathan should begin to see Sandra for counseling on a twice-weekly basis to help Nathan deal with his anger and failing grades. Sandra saw Nathan regularly for 6 weeks. During this time Nathan revealed a great deal to Sandra about himself and his family. He also came to realize that his angry outbursts and declining grades were related to the stress surrounding his family circumstances. At a follow-up meeting with Julie, Sandra was pleased to report that both Nathans grades and his school behavior had begun to improve. An unexpected phone call from Nathans father alerted Sandra to potential difficulties. Although Sandra was cordial and professional, she became increasingly uncomfortable with Roberts press for information about both Nathan and his mother. According to Robert, divorce papers had been filed by Julie, and she was seeking full custody of the children. Robert became increasingly insistent in his demand to learn the content of all of Sandras sessions with both Nathan and Julie. During the conversation Robert alluded several times to his attorneys involvement and threatened to file a compliant with the ACA Ethics Committee for her noncompliance with his request. Although Sandra closed the discussion by generally recounting that Robert might continue to push her for information she felt was confidential. A follow-up phone call to Julie confirmed that legal papers had been filed, Julie also told the counselor that both she and Nathan wanted to keep the counseling records confidential and out of Roberts possession. Framework for Case Analysis Identify decision points and relevant ACA Code citations. Identify most salient Kitchener Principles. CASE DISCUSSION Put yourself in the place of Sandra, the counselor in this case. How do you believe you might react when pressed by Robert to reveal information about his son? What do you think of the way that Sandra handled the situation? What, if anything, might you have done differently, and why? What if Nathan had a caring and concerned teacher who approached this counselor, asking for information about his home situation to help her better understand Nathans academic and behavior problemsWhat might you tell the teacher? When you become a counselor, how would you deal with situations that involve an apparent conflict between your legal and ethical obligations? How might you use the Code of Ethics to help guide you in your decision making?

Sandra worked as a counselor in a large elementary school with students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Sandras primary duties included counseling individuals and small groups, teaching classroom guidance lessons, and consulting with parents, teachers, and administrators. Shortly after the school year, a parent called Sandra and explained that her son, Nathan, a fourth grade student at Sandras school, was experiencing difficulties in school where none had existed before. Sandra invited the mother, Julie, to her office to discuss specific concerns. During this initial consultation Julie divulged that her husband, Robert, had recently moved out of the house. Nathan, being the oldest of three siblings, was especially upset with the situation and had shown recent outbursts of anger both at home and at school. Teachers had also notified Julie that Nathans school work was slipping badly. Julie tearfully revealed that her husband had physically assaulted her, and that although he had never abused the children, they were certainly affected. Sandra and Julie decided that Nathan should begin to see Sandra for counseling on a twice-weekly basis to help Nathan deal with his anger and failing grades. Sandra saw Nathan regularly for 6 weeks. During this time Nathan revealed a great deal to Sandra about himself and his family. He also came to realize that his angry outbursts and declining grades were related to the stress surrounding his family circumstances. At a follow-up meeting with Julie, Sandra was pleased to report that both Nathans grades and his school behavior had begun to improve. An unexpected phone call from Nathans father alerted Sandra to potential difficulties. Although Sandra was cordial and professional, she became increasingly uncomfortable with Roberts press for information about both Nathan and his mother. According to Robert, divorce papers had been filed by Julie, and she was seeking full custody of the children. Robert became increasingly insistent in his demand to learn the content of all of Sandras sessions with both Nathan and Julie. During the conversation Robert alluded several times to his attorneys involvement and threatened to file a compliant with the ACA Ethics Committee for her noncompliance with his request. Although Sandra closed the discussion by generally recounting that Robert might continue to push her for information she felt was confidential. A follow-up phone call to Julie confirmed that legal papers had been filed, Julie also told the counselor that both she and Nathan wanted to keep the counseling records confidential and out of Roberts possession. Framework for Case Analysis Identify decision points and relevant ACA Code citations. Identify most salient Kitchener Principles. CASE DISCUSSION Put yourself in the place of Sandra, the counselor in this case. How do you believe you might react when pressed by Robert to reveal information about his son? What do you think of the way that Sandra handled the situation? What, if anything, might you have done differently, and why? What if Nathan had a caring and concerned teacher who approached this counselor, asking for information about his home situation to help her better understand Nathans academic and behavior problemsWhat might you tell the teacher? When you become a counselor, how would you deal with situations that involve an apparent conflict between your legal and ethical obligations? How might you use the Code of Ethics to help guide you in your decision making?