Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Investigation of the effectiveness of professional ethics and legal issues course on ethical competencies of counselor candidates

  • Published:
International Journal of Ethics Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, it was examined whether the Professional Ethics and Legal Issues course given at the undergraduate level contributes to the professional ethical competencies of the counselor candidates. The study group of the research consists of 63 senior guidance and psychological counseling students who took the “Professional Ethics and Legal Issues” course at a university located in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey. Students participating in the study, 46 (73%) were female and 17 (27%) were male. Descriptive statistics were used while analyzing the data of the research. In addition, the internal consistency coefficient of the pre-test and post-test applications of the data collection tool used in the research was calculated. In the study, whether there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores after the application was analyzed with the dependent groups t-test. In addition, the Cohen d effect size coefficient was calculated to determine the effect sizes of the results obtained after the pre-test and post-test. Psychological Counseling Professional Ethical Competencies Evaluation Questionnaire (PCPECEQ) developed by the researcher was used as data collection tool. As a result of the analysis, it was revealed that the professional ethics and legal problems course has a significant effect on the ethical competencies of the counselor candidates. This result reveals that the professional ethics course taken at the undergraduate level is an important course in terms of professional ethics competencies of counselor candidates. Considering that one of the important reasons for the ethical dilemmas of counselors working in the field is their lack of professional ethics, a professional ethics course to be given correctly at the undergraduate level will help counselor candidates to cope with possible ethical problems more effectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altınkurt, Y., and K. Yılmaz. 2011. Prospective teachers’ views about teachers’ occupational unethical behaviours. Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Faculty of Education 1 (22): 113–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Counseling Association (ACA). 2014. ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.

  • American School Counselor Association (ASCA). 2016. Ethical standards for school counselors. Alexandria, VA. https://www.wa-schoolcounselor.org/Files/Berman2016%20ASCA%20Updates.pdf.

  • Arslan, Ü., and J. Sommers-Flanagan. 2018. The new stage of the Turkish counseling system: Explosive growth (2000 to the present). Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development 46 (2): 115–128. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12096.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arslan, Ü., U. Y. Karataş, and E. Dostuoğlu. 2019. Current and developing ethical problems in psyhological counseling field. Mersin University Journal of The Faculty of Education 15 (1): 86–103. https://doi.org/10.17860/mersinefd.515865.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Australian Counselling Association (ACA). 2019. Code of ethics and practice. https://www.theaca.net.au/documents/ACA%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20and%20Practice%20Ver15.pdf.

  • Barrett, D. E., J. E. Casey, R. D. Visser, and K. N. Headley. 2012. How do teachers make judgments about ethical and unethical behaviors? Toward the development of a code of conduct for teachers. Teaching and Teacher Education 28 (6): 890–898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2012.04.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bond, T. 2016. Psikolojik danışmanlıkta etik ve yasal konular (Trans. B. Yeşilyaprak). Ankara: Nobel Yayın Dağıtım.

    Google Scholar 

  • Büken, N. Ö., and E. Büken. 2002. Nedir şu tıp etiği dedikleri? Sürekli Tıp Eğitimi Dergisi 11 (1): 17–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Camadan, F., C. Topsakal, and İ. Sadıkoğlu. 2021. An examination of the ethical dilemmas of school counsellors: Opinions and solution recommendations. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools 31 (1): 76–93. https://doi.org/10.1017/jgc.2020.16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camadan, F. 2018. Psychological counsellor’s conflict: Ethical dilemma. Sakarya University Journal of Education 8 (1): 76–94. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.333613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crespi, T. D. 2009. Group counseling in the schools: Legal, ethical, and treatment issues in school practice. Psychology in the Schools 46 (3): 273–280. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.20373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corey, G., M. S. Corey, and P. ve Callanan. 1998. Issues and ethics in the helping professions. California: Brooks/ Cole Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corey, G. 2008. Psikolojik danışma, psikoterapi kuram ve uygulamaları (Trans. Ergene, T.). Ankara: Mentis Yayıncılık.

  • Cottone, R. R., V. M. Tarvydas, and R. E. Claus. 2007. Ethical decision-making processes. Counseling ethics and decision making. USA: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demirdöven, İ. H. 2011. On origion of problems at professional ethics. Bursa Uludag University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Journal of Philosophy 16: 47–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdur-Baker, Ö., and E. ve Çetinkaya. 2007. Etik: Davranışta kırılma noktası. In Eds. R. Özyürek, F. Korkut-Owen and D. W. Owen, Gelişen psikolojik danışma ve rehberlik I: Meslekleşme sürecindeki ilerlemeler ss. 163–182. Ankara: Nobel Yayıncılık.

  • Ehrich, L. C., M. Kimber, J. Millwater, and N. Cranston. 2011. Ethical dilemmas: A model to understand teacher practice. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice 17 (2): 173–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2011.539794.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ergene, T. 2004. Ethical dilemmas in psychological counseling: Ethical decision making process. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research 15: 49–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, D., and T. G. Black. 2007. An integral approach to counseling ethics. Counseling and Values 51 (3): 221–234. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.2007.tb00080.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, J. G., R. J. Froehlich, B. Cartwright, D. Letiecq, L. E. Forrester, and R. O. Mueller. 1999. Ethical dilemmas related to counseling clients living with HIV/AIDS. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin 43 (1): 41–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/003435529904300107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutheil, T. G. 2005. Boundaries, blackmail, and double binds: A pattern observed in malpractice consultation. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law 33: 476–481.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayman, P. M., and J. A. Covert. 1986. Ethical dilemmas in college counseling centers. Journal of Counseling & Development 64: 318–320. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1986.tb01120.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herlihy, B., and R. L. Dufrene. 2011. Current and emerging ethical issues in counseling: A Delphi study of expert opinions. Counseling and Values 56 (1-2): 10–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.2011.tb01028.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • İkiz, F. E., A. Sevinç, A. Kaval, G. Yeğintürk, and S. Kalen. 2017. Determining the profession’s ethical requirements in school psychological counseling services. Turkish Journal of Business Ethics 10 (2): 223–245. https://doi.org/10.12711/tjbe.2017.10.2.0011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R. N. 2014. Uygulamalı danışmanlık ve yardım becerileri. (Çev. G. Sart). Ankara: Nobel Yayınları.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keith-Spiegel, P., and G. P. Koocher. 1985. Ethics in psychology: Professional standards and cases. USA: Crown Publishing Group/Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knapp, Samuel J., and L. D. Vandecreek. 2010. Psikologlar için pratik etik: Pozitif yaklaşım (Trans. M. Yılmaz, T. F. Karahan, S. Balcı Çelik, M. E. Sardoğan). Ankara: Mentis Yayınevi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korkut, Y., S. Müderrisoğlu, and M. Tanık. 2006. Ethical violations observed in the field of clinical psychology and the ways in which these violations are typically handled. Turkish Psychological Articles 9 (18): 49–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolay Akfert, S. 2012. Ethical dilemmas experienced by psychological counsellors working at different institutions and their attitudes and behaviours as a response to these dilemmas. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice 12 (3): 1806–1812.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larussi, M. H., J. M. Tyler, S. Littlebear, and M. S. Hinkle. 2013. Integrating motivational ınterviewing into a basic counseling skills course to enhance counseling self-efficacy. Professional Counselor 3 (3): 161–174. https://doi.org/10.15241/mhi.3.3.161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, G., and S. E. R. Kurpius. 2000. Legal and ethical issues involved when counseling minors in nonschool settings. Journal of Counseling & Development 78 (2): 130–136. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2000.tb02570.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazovsky, R. 2008. Maintaining confidentiality with minors: Dilemmas of school counselors. Professional School Counseling 11 (5): 335–346. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X0801100507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCullough, L. B., and A. R. ve Jonsen. 1991. Bioethics education: diversity and critique. The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 16 (1): 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1.1.933.2084.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mert, N. 2017. Executi̇ve and non executi̇ve nurses percepti̇on of ethi̇cal cli̇mate compari̇son. Master’s thesis. Istanbul Medipol University Institute of Health Sciences, İstanbul.

  • Neukrug, E., T. Milliken, and S. Walden. 2001. Ethical complaints made against credentialed counselors: An updated survey of state licensing boards. Counselor Education and Supervision 41 (1): 57–70. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6978.2001.tb01268.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nigro, T. 2004. Counselors’ experiences with problematic dual relationships. Ethics & Behavior 14 (1): 51–64. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327019eb1401_4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Öztürk, H., and N. Y. ve Oğuz. 1996. Klinik uygulamalarda etik değerlendirme süreçleri. Türkiye Klinikleri Tıp Etiği-Hukuku-Tarihi Dergisi 4 (3): 129–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pieper, A. 1999. Etiğe giriş. (Trans. V.Atayman, G. Sezer). İstanbul: Ayrıntı Yayınları.

    Google Scholar 

  • Remley, T. P., and B. Herlihy. 2010. Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Şivis-Cetinkaya, R. 2015. Ethical dilemmas of Turkish counsellors: A critical incidents study. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling 43 (4): 476–491. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2014.987726.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, C. B., and P. A. Zirkel. 2010. School counselor advocacy: When law and ethics may collide. Professional School Counseling 13 (4): 244–247. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X1001300405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Speight, S. L. 2012. An exploration of boundaries and solidarity in counseling relationships. The Counseling Psychologist 40 (1): 133–157. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000011399783.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association (TPCGA). 2011. Code of ethics for psychological counseling and guidance. Ankara, Turkey: Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association Publishing. https://acikders.ankara.edu.tr/pluginfile.php/44163/mod_resource/content/0/PDR%20Etik.pdf.

  • Taşdan, M., and İ. Yalçın. 2007. Ethics in counseling. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty 14: 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, J., C. Ahls, A. H. Asfaw, J. C. Núñez, J. Weatherford, and N. S. Zakaria. 2014. Ethics issues and training needs of mental health practitioners in a rural setting. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics 11 (2): 61–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welfel, E. R. 2006. Ethics in counseling and psychotherapy. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/ Brooks Cole.

    Google Scholar 

  • West, W. 2002. Some ethical dilemmas in counselling and counselling research. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling 30 (3): 261–268. https://doi.org/10.1080/0306988021000002308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yam, F. C. (2017). The feelings, thoughts and behaviors of the psychological counsellors in the face of ethical dilemmas and the obstacles for solutions: A qualitative evaluation. The Journal of International Social Research, 10, 465-477.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Caner Yam, F. Investigation of the effectiveness of professional ethics and legal issues course on ethical competencies of counselor candidates. International Journal of Ethics Education 8, 129–141 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40889-022-00151-9

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40889-022-00151-9

Keywords

Navigation