What sections of the NASW Code of Ethics might apply in this case?

Question

Debra Masters, a social worker in private practice, conducted an initial interview with Stephanie Railsback, a young woman also working in the helping professions, who was conflicted about her sexual orientation. Debra was a lesbian herself, open, but discreetly so. As the interview proceeded Debra was increasingly distracted by the question of whether she should disclose her sexual orientation to this client and, if so, when. Her anxiety intensified to such a degree that she had to leave the interview to compose herself and decide what to do to resolve this dilemma.

Answer 1

The applicability of various sections of the Code of Ethics in this case would depend upon the approach to decision making employed by the worker. If the worker’s ethical orientation were absolutist in nature, then a rule of some particular agency, state or local government, or other source of authority would be applied in every case. If, on the other hand, the worker held a more relativist ethical orientation, then the reasons for making one decision over another and the consequences of choosing a particular course of action would guide the decision.
To determine what sections of the Code of Ethics would apply in this case one might ask whether the reasons for choosing a course of action served to support the client or resulted in beneficence toward the client. In other words, were the decisions made for the client’s interest and well-being, or could they be exploitive in nature, primarily serving the needs of the worker? In this regard, Section 1.01 of the Code, Commitment to Clients states: ”Social worker’s primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients (NASW Code, 1996). Section 1.05 of the Code states that social workers should “be able to demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive to clients’ cultures and to differences among people and cultural groups.”
The section of the Code of Ethics that addresses responsibilities as professionals includes competence. Section 4.01(b) states, “Social workers should strive to remain proficient in professional practice and the performance of professional functions.” This addresses the fact that workers should make sound practice decisions based on professional reasons and reasoning. Section 5.01(a) could likewise be applied, as it states, “Social workers should work toward maintenance and promotion of high standards of practice.”
A section of the Code that may apply in this case is Section 1.03, Informed Consent. Although the Code does not specifically state that personal information of the worker should be part of the information disclosed so that a potential client might make an informed decision, Raines (1997) argues that the client has a “right to know” certain biographical facts about the therapist beyond the typical information about education, training, years of experience, and so on. This would be consistent with Debra’s comment, “I think the client has a right to know who they are hiring.”