According to the state of North Carolina, no minor under the age of 18 are to be treated without a written consent from a parent or guardian. Unless a minor is married and in the army, a parent or guardians approval must be available. The minor and therapist or the parent and therapist can both have a closer relationship and discuss the treatment without the other one knowing. The parent must know of the treatment taken place and the possible risks.
Apply these regulations to Billy’s case. Elaborate on how you would approach the case by providing information …show more content…
On the first visit, I would explain to Billy how important the counseling services and risk/consequences could become for substance abuse. I know Billy was uncomfortable telling his parents, but maybe he could have reached out to one of his parents and kept a secret between them. Any type of communicating relationship would have worked within him and a parent to get the consent completed. On another note, the North Carolina law serves minors without a parental consent to a 24-hour substance abuse facility. This option would be great but Billy is only 12 and his parent would be concern about his absent from home.
Apply any relevant ethical principles and professional standards of psychology as they relate to this complex situation.
According to the standards of psychology, breaking it down to Billy’s knowledge would give him a better understanding of the services and his issue. Finding outside resources and giving him valuable words of wisdom would be the only help to provide. Within the ethical codes of conduct, confidentiality is very important and can only take place when a consent is in place and ordered. Psychologist seek to promote honesty and truthfulness in the work. They work to resolve individual’s problems in a responsible but ordered way, based on rules and regulations.
Evaluate any personal beliefs that may conflict with legal requirements …show more content…
He was old enough to understand and misuse drugs, therefore he is old enough to make decision and change his life around. As a parent, it would seem unreal hearing the news for the first time. Billy is very young and hanging around the wrong friends could have started the issue. I would feel secure and confident about my work and actions only if the parents know about the issue before hand, which could cause me to lose my job.
Detail what actions you would take to be true to both yourself and the professional requirements.
Thinking outside the box, if I was a school counselor at the school that Billy attends, I would have the right to assist Billy throughout the school day. I would be able to pull him out of class and have a brief conversation with him about drug uses. As a matter as serious as this one, I would have to notify the parents. This could cause him to get expelled from school. Either way, a parent would eventually be involved in the issue. You never know how much you could effect a person just be a conversation that could make them change without having to go through any treatments or