Learning Activity #2: Ethical Issues in Diagnosis and Assessment

Case Vignette:

You have been working with 12-year old Bobby for 6 weeks. Bobby has a 1 year old
sister. his parents recently divorced, and he lives with his mother. Bobby was referred for
counseling because of a recent onset of disruptive behaviors. You have developed good
rapport with Bobby and you feel he is comfortable with you as he has begun to talk about
some of the family issues that bother him. Five minutes before the end of the 6lh session
he says that he hates his baby sister and sometimes thinks of killing her. He also had
recent thoughts of banning her.

About a month ago. Bobby made his sister sick by feeding her a chocolate laxative. He
reported that his mother thought she had a virus. He did not tell his mother what he did.
although he admits that he was wrong. Bobby reported that life has been different since
his sister was born. He is angered by her presence and wishes she would just “go away.”
He says he does not want to harm her today. You have given Bobby an initial diagnosis
of Adjustment Disorder with Disturbance of Conduct.

Directions:

Given the ease vignette (above) related to assessment/diagnosis you are to:

4. Identify and explain the ethical issues in the vignette.

5. Read the article below and select a specific ethical decision-making model
from the article.

Cottone. R. R.. & Claus. R. E. (2000). Ethical decision-making models: A
review of the literature. Journal of Counseling & Development. 78. 275-
283.

6. Describe how you would apply the selected ethical problem-solving model

to the identified issues.

A. Include at least 2-3 additional scholarly sources relevant to your selected
ethical decision-making model and/or to the ethical issue(s) in the
vignette:

7. Summarize the expected outcomes and potential consequences associated

with your decision(s).
Your final product will be in a word document and be approximately 3-4 pages in length
and utilize 2-3 scholarly sources in your research. Your paper should be written in a
clear. concise. and organized manner: demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate
representation and attribution of sources: and display accurate spelling, grammar. and
punctuation.