counselling and sexual orientation

User Generated

Cunyba

Writing

Ethics to Philosophy

Baltimore City Community College

Description

CASE 2: Counseling and Sexual Orientation

1.Statement of the Case

You are the best (more knowledgeable and experienced) psychologist—counselor—in a relatively small town. You also happen to be a hard core fundamentalist Christian who is horrified by the prevalence of homosexual behaviors and gay culture. One day, a gay client, referred to you by a colleague of yours who had been unsuccessful treating this client, knocks at your door for your services. Due to your long practice experience, you realize that, if you were to accept this person as a client, you will be subjected to listening to him talking, in a detailed manner, about his/her gay/lesbian practices, behaviors and commitment to the promotion of the gay/lesbian cause. This prospect triggers off a moral dilemma for you. Now, should you accept this person as your client or not? If you turn him/her down, account in an ethical way, for your refusal, bearing in mind that you’re really the only good and effective psychologist in this town which is 30 miles away from the closest city where alternatives to your services are available. If you decide to receive him/her as your client, how would you deal with him/her. But first, explain your decision. Second, what will you be guided by in whichever course of action you choose?

  • Instructions
    • Use the AJ Method in this case.
    • Provide a one-page abstract—called Executive Summary---of your ethical basis (moral theories and principles and the way you will use them to make your point) for moral decision-making in this case.
    • Finally, then argue, in an essay format, your way to moral-decision making in light of the above-mentioned method (AJ).
    • End notes and references should come at the end of the paper. Use MLA style (get a sample from the front desk in the library).
    • Length of the case:7 pages (7pages of text plus 1 page of bibliography and end-notes, if any).
    • Attach your outline of this case, as a table of contents, to the final copy.

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Explanation & Answer

Attached.

Introduction

Body

Conclusion


Name 1
Name
Professor
Course
24 March 2018
Counseling and Sexual Orientation
Executive Summary
In the scenario where a patient comes knocking and happens to have different beliefs from those
I hold, it is essential that I think objectively and make the most appropriate decision. Jonah is an
openly gay man who has been battling bouts of depression and is completely unable to forge
meaningful relationships. The previous therapist indicated in his case file that Jonah’s inability to
follow through with treatment makes it difficult for them to continue this therapy process. My
Christian beliefs are completely against homosexuality and everything it represents, and I go to
great lengths to avoid the topic. After an initial thought to decline Jonah, I take a second look at
some case files of difficult patients that I have managed during my tenure thus far. Seeing how
distraught Jonah is, I decided to give this offer more thought then communicate my decision in a
few days. The Analysis and Justification (AJ) method derive that personal intuition is not good
enough and one's instincts could be wrong. Delving deeper into LGBT topic humanizes their
experience which makes me a tad comfortable. Weighing the pros and cons of taking up a gay
patient or referring him to a more liberal colleague is not an easy task. Ultimately, I yield to
virtue ethics that require me to lend a hand sans judgment, and utilitarianism which advocates for
pursuing the well-being of others and minimizing pain.

Name 2
Analysis and Justification (AJ) Method
The AJ method provides a fairly systematic way of handling moral-ethical dilemmas as opposed
to jumping into conclusions based on instincts or societal expectations. This approach helps one
to go beyond personal preferences by assigning reasons for these views then weighing those
reasons. People facing a moral dilemma should apply the AJ method for the following reasons:
i.

Personal intuition is not enough to convince others about a chosen decision. The AJ method
demonstrates that a given choice is better than the alternative based on reasons for either side.

ii.

Analysis and justification help one understand the basis for their views which is an
enlightening process by itself. It gives a level of clarity that solidifies one’s moral ground.

iii.

Gut instincts can be wrong. In many cases, our view of the world is framed by experiences
and people around us. The result is being guided by prejudice, ignorance, and self-interest.

Analysis and justification method revolves around 5 steps to follow when handling a moral issue.
Steps 2-4 help in analyzing the matter at hand carefully witho...


Anonymous
Very useful material for studying!

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