Confronting the unethical vocational counselor in forensic practice

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Smith, Scott

Affiliations: Texas A & M University--Commerce, Commerce, TX, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Scott Smith, 455 Carmen Drive, Arnaudville, LA 70512, USA. Tel.: +1 337 662 6381; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: In the scope of performing forensic work, rehabilitation counselors may discover serious weaknesses in breath of knowledge, adherence to acceptable practices, or general ethics in the work of other vocational counselors. In the field of rehabilitation counseling, ethical code standards mandate confronting a counselor directly prior to making a formal complaint. This mandatory action may be omitted or ignored because of awkwardness, fear of retaliation, or simple ignorance of this requirement. Case-in-point examples of unethical behaviors requiring confrontation are presented. Multiple legal precedence illustrations demonstrate potential need for rehabilitation counselors to be involved in the ethical resolution process. In this article, sample templates of letters are provided to aid the rehabilitation counselor to confront via written format the counselor performing unethically.

Keywords: Vocational rehabilitation, ethical practice, rehabilitation counseling

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 133-136, 2006