Exploring Rehabilitation Counseling Supervisors’ Role in Promoting Counselor Development of Ethical Fluency

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that ethical decision making is a fundamental competency of both rehabilitation counselors (Leahy, Muenzen, Saunders, & Strauser, 2009) and rehabilitation counseling supervisors (Thielsen & Leahy, 2001). As such, it is a required preservice training component of programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP; 2016). In addition, credentialing organizations (e.g., licensure boards, certification organizations) require ongoing continuing education specific to ethics (American Counseling Association, 2014; Association for Counselor Education and Supervision [ACES], 2011; Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification [CRCC], 2017; National Board for Certified Counselors, 2012). Even with multiple levels of formal instruction, the supervisor has the most significant role in the development of ethical awareness and reasoning in the counselor (Kerkhoff, Hanson, Guenther, & Ashkanazi, 1997). As ethical decision making is complex and challenging, the rehabilitation counseling supervisor plays an essential role in the counselor's development in this slow developing area of competence (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2007; Kocet, 2006; Lambie & Sias, 2009). Ethics represents a knowledge area that can be taught and clinical supervision is a medium for instruction (Tarvydas, 2012). This is evident as multiple ethical decision-making models in counseling commonly include supervision or consultation as an essential part of the process (Cottone & Claus, 2000). It is important that counselors and supervisors conceptualize ethical decision making as a dynamic interpersonal process of consultation, negotiation, and arbitration between the counselor and client, facilitated by the supervisor (Lehr & Sumarah, 2004), rather than a counselor-centric process (Cottone, 2001; Passmore, 2009). Supervisors help to shape ethical awareness and practice in a multitude of ways. The CRCC Code of Professional ethics advises rehabilitation counseling supervisors to make supervisees aware of ethical and legal standards and to adhere to these professional standards of practice (Section H.4.a; CRCC, 2017). Counselor perceptions of their supervisor's ethics can influence the supervisory working alliance (SWA) and the realization of goals and tasks within the supervisory setting (

Group Counseling with Self Management Techniques: Effective Strategies for Reducing Nomophobia Among Adolescents

“…In practice, the responsibility for the success of selfmanagement-based group counseling rests with the client (i.e., student). In group counselling with self-management technique, the counselor acts as an idea originator, a facilitator who helps design programs, and a motivator for the client (McMahon, 2009;Landon & Schultz, 2018;Powel, et al, 2010).…”

Rehabilitation Counselor Supervisors’ Perceptions of Counselor Professional Dispositions for Rural Service Delivery

“…Rural RCs should also be aware of ethical considerations such as multiple relationships that will have a higher rate of frequency in rural areas that arise from the community immersion process (Coduti & Luse, 2015), particularly because ethical principles and dilemmas are rarely discussed in the practice setting (Landon & Schultz, 2018). However, ethical issues are complex, and individual principles cannot be parsed due to the multiple ethical obligations that are often both interrelated and opposed (Cartwright & Hartley, 2016).…”

“…J. Freeman and colleagues (2016) contend that site supervisors have a critical role in providing mentorship, building professional competence, and remediating both skills and PDs with counseling students. Upon entering the field, supervision is a method for ensuring ethical practice (Landon & Schultz, 2018; Schultz, 2011), developing clinical skills (Herbert & Trusty, 2006), and safeguarding client welfare by only endorsing those RCs with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to ensure competent service delivery to people with disabilities (CRCC, 2017). Research related to counselor PDs has mainly focused on student assessment within counselor education (B.…”

Supervision and Ethics: Updates to the CRCC Code of Professional Ethics

“…Although didactic knowledge of ethics and ethical service delivery is part of the preservice preparation of CRCs/CCRCs, clinical supervision is a key component that promotes and maintains ethical behavior in CRCs (Landon & Schultz, 2018; Schultz, 2011). Supervisors facilitate counselor development by helping supervisees develop an awareness and understanding of ethical principles and their application within RC settings (Kerkhoff et al, 1997).…”