Discussion board response to your classmates: Role play: pick one other student to respond to and take on the role of the client for their approach. How would you as the client react? Consider the legal issue presented and the ethical issue presented. What questions might you have for the counselor?

Student I chose paper down below to respond to:

The limits of confidentiality are reposting verbal, physical, and sexual abuse of children. When a therapist suspects abuse of children or abuse of MR/DD child/adolescent clients, must be reported by law. Penalties, losing a license, or criminal charges can be brought against a therapist who is not in compliance with the legal and ethical obligations. With the Tarasoff law the therapist is legally required to warn victims if their client states aggression toward them or focus on the victims in a dangerous manner. The law requires a therapist to perform duties such as contacting victims about the client’s threats and reporting the information to the law enforcement agencies. Last, but not least, in worse case situations a therapist can confine their clients and prevent potential harm to future victims by hospitalizing the client and/or prescribing medication.

I will present this information to my client during the intake session. I will go over the documents to sign at the initial meeting. At this point, I would give him the opportunity to decide if he still wants to continue with the sessions. If does continue with the services all documents must be signed and consent begins after signed documents have been submitted. In a caring manor, with a non-judgmental mode may help the client to positively understand the goals, and what needs to be achieved to have successful sessions. Then we will be able to set consistent and clear boundaries.

If my client is unable to get this aggression under control, my next course of action would be to submit all documented evidence that the client has shown or stated to the local law enforcement; then I would notify the victims of the client of the possible threats and dangers to further protect themselves in the event of an incident. Next, if there is no course of legal actions such as incarceration to prevent an incident, then I would view the client’s disorders to see if medication could be an option for the client to aid in the mental disorders. Last, I would submit referrals to mental health institutions where the client can receive treatment and supervision around the clock until further improvement.

In this case is that the client is at high risk for harming others. The question is to find out who are all the potential victims? If there are other victims besides the ex-girlfriend and his best friend; it may be imperative to inform the others of the threats and dangers. Other recognizable issues are that the individual is a veteran, he may show signs of PTSD which could further aggravate the critical issues at hand. The client needs to be evaluated to see if he meets the criterion for PTSD and depression.

As a therapist, I must be mindful to not discuss what the client may have done wrong to lose the ex-girlfriend, but to understand how difficult the situation is for him. Verbal and non-verbal communication must show compassion and not to input my own feelings into the therapy.

The ethical issue in this case is the client’s rights/confidentiality. Depending on the actions and responses of the client actions by the therapist may need to cross the boundaries to keep others safe even if it is suspicion.