When Jill expressed her confusion about her sexuality, Joe’s body language was a dead give- away that he was judging her. This, in itself, can add to Jill’s anxiety and depression. Joe should know, and understand, the ethical guidelines that he is governed by. When he imparted his religious views on Jill’s thoughts and lifestyle, he crossed the boundaries of ethical treatment. According to the ACA (American Counseling Association) Code of Ethics, counselors do not discriminate regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Also, within the APA (American Psychological Association) Ethical Principles, Principle E assures the clients that need treatment will receive the dignity and respect that they deserve regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Above all of this, Joe should discuss with Jill the referral process because of his religious beliefs, and the fact that he shouldn’t continue treating her if his beliefs and convictions are going to impede his ability to counsel and treat Jill fairly without judgment.
The ACA Code of Ethics regulates counselors from imposing their personal and/or religious beliefs and values on their clients – which is exactly what Joe has done by telling Jill her thoughts are immoral and she should pray for forgiveness. “Clients might often press a counselor’s limits of comfort when discussing controversial topics. It is the counselor’s duty to keep an objective view while listening to the client’s interpretation of events. They have to put aside their own value systems and understand what the clients are going through” (Argosy, 2012).
Next, when he continues to treat Jill, he offers to try a technique that obviously has not been tried in the United States, or has little research results. As a counselor, Joe is obligated to not harm his client. Jill clearly states she doesn’t wish to try this new technique, yet Joe plans on continuing on with his plans regardless of her wishes. This can, undoubtedly, cause harm to Jill and would create distrust between her and Joe. Counselors are to strive for the well-being – both physically and mentally – of their clients.
Once the client has declined a form of treatment, the counselor should be looking for another means of agreeable treatment options and not go against the wishes of that client. It is the obligation of the counselor to work with the client to create a plan of care that is focused on the success of the client and is a plan of care that is within the abilities of the client. Joe states that he feels inadequate in assisting Jill with her cultural struggles. If nothing before has signaled him to disengage therapy treatment with Jill, this should.
Just because his area, or geographical location, isn’t accustomed to Jill’s culture, is no reason to say that he is not required to study these cultural issues. The APA Code of Conduct Section 2. 03, states, “Psychologists undertake ongoing efforts to develop and maintain their competence” (APA, 2012). He has the responsibility to his client to remain committed to furthering his capabilities and knowledge. The ACA Ethical Code Section A. 5, refers to “The Roles and Relationships With Clients” (ACA, 2005).
This section gives direction for counselors in regards to their relationships with current and former clients. Relationships of the intimate kind should not be entered into for 5 years from the last treatment session with that professional. Even though the referral process has been initiated, a relationship between Joe and Jill would remain unethical at this point. Once they decided to meet privately and later began an intimate sexual relationship, they were in violation of ethical codes and guidelines.
Being that Jill possibly didn’t realize these codes, Joe should have stepped up and explained the guidelines to her and ended the entire situation. Joe has, quite frankly, created a chaotic situation with Jill and has, possibly, caused additional mental distress for Jill. He never completed the referral process, even though, he was in an unethical, sexual relationship and she continued to be in a desperate state of depression and anxiety. Now, he has entered into another unethical relationship with his supervisor and, therefore, can’t discuss Jill’s case with this supervisor.
He is causing harm to the client, is engaging in multiple inappropriate relationships, as well as, imposing conflict of interest. When Joe called Jill’s place of employment and divulged personal, confidential information that she had been receiving treatment for depression and anxiety, he overstepped the ethics boundaries yet again. The ACA and APA Code of Ethics make provisions for respecting privacy and confidentiality. As far as Joe changing career paths, he might need some counseling and treatment himself. His own life appears to be in pandemonium.
He surely doesn’t need to move into a different counseling arena until he gets his own matters under control. All clients that seek/ need counseling deserve someone who is truly concerned about them and their well -being. If I were the counselor in this case study, my main concern would be putting Jill’s care first and foremost. My own personal thoughts, interests, and religious views would not enter into the treatment regime. Without putting your own values and beliefs out of the picture, you will never understand where the client is coming from.
I need to help Jill feel comfortable and to give her the ability to open up about her feelings to help to begin her path of recovery and feeling better about herself and any issues and concerns in her life. No new techniques would be attempted with Jill without more knowledge of their effectiveness and her consent. I would never put Jill’s privacy and confidentiality at risk by disclosing her personal information. And, without a doubt, relationships within the professional realm, and with clients, is completely out of the question.
The specific code from the ACA Code of Ethics that pertains to the issue of imposing values on clients is A. 4. b, “Personal Values. Counselors are aware of their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors and avoid imposing values that are inconsistent with counseling goals. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants” (ACA, 2005). The APA Ethical Principles of Psychologist and Code of Conduct section that pertains to the issue of imposing values on clients is Principle A: “Beneficence and Non-maleficence” – professionals prevent harm to their lients and do not share their personal views with their clients. The specific infractions that are pertinent in the case study between Joe, the counselor, and Jill, the client, are: Joe imparts his religious views on Jill by announcing that he is a traditional Catholic that believes that the thoughts she is experiencing about her sexuality are immoral and wrong and she should avoid thinking any more about it and just pray about it, and when Jill expressed to Joe that she was attracted to him, instead of discouraging these emotions and ending therapy between them, he expressed that the was attracted to her and had feelings for her.
Both the ACA and APA guidelines depict the professional’s duty to not provoke harm on or to their clients and that they are not to communicate, in any way, their personal values of any form. Every individual has their own thoughts and beliefs. Counseling professionals understand that this concept is essential and promotes this for growth within society. These ethical guidelines are in place to regulate these counseling professionals so that they “do not hinder the development of value systems in the clients they serve” (Argosy, 2012).
References American Counseling Association (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. http://www. counseling. org/Resources/CodeofEthics/TP/CT2. aspx American Psychological Association (2012). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. http://www. apa. org/ethics/code/index. aspx? item=9# Argosy University (2012). Lecture Notes. http://www. myeclassonline. com
Healthy Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism is a diet that is being adopted by a lot of people since it equated to a healthy lifestyle. There are many claims that a vegetarian diet does not provide all the nutritional needs of a person especially the protein needs. Animals are classified as carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. Carnivores are known as the meat-eaters and they have specialized teeth called canine that could tear through meat. Herbivores eat only plant matter and they have flat teeth that they use to grind plant matter. Omnivores on the other hand eat both meat and plant matter. Humans are classified as omnivores; evidence of this is that humans have both sets of specialized teeth.
Vegetarianism is classified into different classes. Ovo-vegetarians do not include meat in their diets but they approve of eggs while lacto-ovo-vegetarians approve of milk and other dairy products and egg. Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy products but disapprove of eggs while vegans follow strict diets that include only food form plant sources. They strictly follow a no-meat diet (Vegetarianism).
There are a number of reasons why people choose to be vegetarians. Many adopt this diet because of health concerns but a vegetarian diet must be monitored since some vegetarians diets may prove to be unhealthy such that the person may lack a sufficient intake of some key nutrients and vitamins such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, calcium, protein, iron and zinc (Vegetarian Diets).
It is recommended that vegetarian diets include a large variety of foods and they must also make sure that their calorie intake is sufficient to meet their energy needs. Intake of sweet and fatty food should be kept to a minimum since these foods have low nutrients but have a high calorie content. Whole or unrefined grains ars recommended. Fortified or enriched cereals are also a good main diet. Fruits and vegetables must always be included since they are good sources of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. If a vegetarian approves of dairy products, he must choose dairy products that have no fat or have less amount of fat. Eggs are however high in cholesterol and egg intake must be monitored. It is however a good source of protein (Vegetarian Diets).
In the book Diet for A Small Planet, Frances Moore Lappe indicates how the required intake of protein can be satisfied with a vegetarian diet. He suggests a breakfast that includes one cup of cooked oatmeal that has 5.4 grams of protein and 0.5 ounces of sunflower seeds that have 3.5 grams of protein. A lunch of 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with 7.8 grams of protein and 2 slices of whole wheat bread for 4.8 grams. For dinner, he recommends a cup of cooked brown rice for 3.8 grams and 1.3 cups of broccoli for 6.2 grams and a cup of cooked beans for 15.6 grams of protein. He also recommends other minor sources of protein such as mushroom, carrots, apples, raisins, fruit juice, honey and oil (White and Frank).
Vegetarianism may however not be a healthy diet for children. According to Professor Lindsay Allen, director of the US Agricultural Research Service’s Western Human Nutrition Research Centre at the University of California at Davis, not giving children meat during the crucial stages of development is unhealthy for them. Allen said that a no-meat diet for children causes permanent damage since meat provides Vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, Vitamin A and iron, which are crucial for growth and development. She explained that adults adopting vegetarian diets raise ethical and health concerns since adults have already passed the crucial stages of development. Also, adults can replace certain vitamin and mineral intake with supplements. Allen said that giving children supplemental nutrition is too risky (Roche, 2005).
In her study with 544 seven-year old children in Kenya over a two-year period, those children that ate meat had 80 percent increase in muscle mass and those that had milk had a 40 percent increase. They also showed higher mental development as they yielded higher test results (Roche, 2005).
Vegetarian diets have also become an issue for vegetarians since they have higher nutritional requirements. Such a diet may be healthy for pregnant weapon but they must consult a dietitian to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients that they need. In one study, German researchers discovered that pregnant women following a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet showed low Vitamin B12 levels even if they ate eggs and milk. Vitamin B12 is important for a pregnant woman since it keeps her healthy during a pregnancy as well as keeping the developing child from developing spinal malformations (McVeigh, 2005). It may be noted that B12 is only found in meat sources. Scientists have also discovered that even people not following a vegetarian diet showed a deficiency of Vitamin B12 (Kirchheimer, 2003).
Vegetarianism may be a healthy diet since it may reduce the potential of developing certain illnesses. More and more people are adopting this diet. However, extra-precaution must be taken since monitoring the diet of a vegetarian is crucial so that it may be ensured that he/she is receiving a sufficient intake of nutrients. This is extremely important especially for young people and pregant women who are vegetarians. A vegetarian diet may be a diet as healthy as a diet containing milk but for it to be a healthy planning, it must be planned and consideration must be taken so that the person will have a sufficient intake of necessary vitamins and minerals.
References
Vegetarianism. KidsHealth. Retrieved July 31, 2008, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/vegetarianism.html
Vegetarian Diets. American Heart. Retrieved July 31, 2008, from http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4777
White, Randall & Frank, Erica. Health Effects and Prevalence of Vegetarianism. p.465. Retrieved July 31, 2008, from < www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1022500>
Roche, Ansley. 24 February 2005. Teaching Children Not to Eat Meat: Healthy or Unethical?. Healthy Living. Retrieved July 31, 2008, from http://www.healthylivingnyc.com/article/117
Kirchheimer, Sid. 18 June 2003. Vegetarian Diet and B12 Deficiency. WebMD. Retrieved July 31, 2008, from http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030618/vegetarian-diet-b12-deficiency
Reflection On Philosophy Of Religion
Throughout my entire life, I have been part of a family deeply committed to Roman Catholicism. Both of my parents were devout followers of God and the Catholic Church. This upbringing led me to engage in various religious practices from an early age. Every week, we would gather for mass on Sundays, where I was always reminded to dress respectfully for our time inside the church. Additionally, before going to sleep each night, my mother would prompt me to say prayers such as the Angel of God and Hail Mary, which I dutifully recited.
Before and after meals, we also say prayers. My father often shares Bible stories with us and teaches us lessons from them. When I attended high school at the Universidad De Sta. Isabel, a Catholic school, we followed various religious practices like reciting the rosary every morning, saying prayers before and after each subject, holding vigils, and more. Despite having this religious upbringing, I do not consider myself a devout believer because although I perform these daily rituals, I am not sincerely passionate about them.
Despite not having a personal desire to do so, I performed the requested actions because I felt obligated. At that time, my understanding was limited to only what others imparted to me. I had never encountered anyone who didn’t believe, so I naturally inclined towards belief due to societal norms. However, everything changed when I started college. Although Theology classes were still part of my curriculum, there was also a Philosophy of Religion course. Right from the first class, I worried that I might be swayed because I acknowledged that my foundational beliefs were feeble.
Here, my mind experienced liberation. Instead of fear or uncertainty, excitement arose as I could perceive the alternate perspective. Throughout each lesson, the realization would strike me: “Ah, now it all makes sense.” My mind was stimulated to independently think and assess ideas; a departure from the past when I merely absorbed and embraced everything presented. The concept of Atheism in particular was novel to me, unlike Anselm and Aquinas whom I had encountered in various forms previously.
I previously held the belief that Atheism was incorrect as it contradicts the existence of God. However, I now comprehend that Atheism is not centered around supporting God, but rather, it advocates for humanity. Its primary objective is to uplift and motivate us to achieve our maximum capabilities while liberating ourselves from the restrictions imposed by religion. Karl Marx famously described religion as the “opium of the people,” implying that it functions as a means to escape from the harsh realities of materialistic society and constructs an imaginary realm where suffering ceases to exist.
The text suggests that it is acceptable to be weak because there is hope for future blessings. This leads to complacency and settling for what is easily attainable instead of striving for more. Nietzsche’s statement about being an individual involves creating values that defy conformity, which I find both empowering and demanding. It encourages us to break free from the herd mentality that prioritizes the afterlife over the present world.
It also challenges us to reject the concept of absolutes and embrace individualism, refusing to conform to objective values and moral principles. Instead, we should strive to assert our own will to power and exist in a unique manner. This means living according to our own values and fully experiencing life on Earth. Often, our actions are driven by a strong dependence on the rewards promised in the afterlife. This pre-determined mindset compels us to do good only for the purpose of being included in the world beyond, thus compromising the true essence of doing good for its own sake and not for the expectation of a reward. We must become masters of our choices and values.
In Nietzsche’s teachings, the focus is not on selfishness and indulgence in desires, but rather on the significance of independence. The idea is that by fully experiencing life here on Earth, it would be satisfactory even without an afterlife. By living to the fullest, we have already achieved something valuable. Nevertheless, if there happens to be an afterlife, it would serve as an additional advantage, providing two benefits in total. In either scenario, the essence remains the same – our objective is to transform our lives into a work of art where we act as the artist and are unconcerned with others’ perception of our creation.
After gaining knowledge about everything, I had a feeling of empowerment. I believed that I could defy God and do whatever I pleased. Consequently, I stopped engaging in our usual rituals, questioned the priest’s teachings during his sermons, and shared my doubts with my mother. My comments angered her, and she threatened to report me to our school principal at Ateneo. This made me suppress my thoughts and refrain from expressing them openly. Although this newfound liberation brought me a sense of emptiness or confusion, rather than fulfillment.
Previously, I held strong faith in my religion. Yet, as I delved into different viewpoints and contemplated diverse ideas, I grew doubtful and found it hard to wholeheartedly devote myself. A feeling of uncertainty, perplexity, and puzzlement overwhelmed me. Nonetheless, I appreciate the conversations revolving around belief because they have shown me that proving or disproving God’s existence is not the essence. As thinking beings capable of critical thought, we must inwardly reflect and search our souls to decide whether we will embrace faith.
I believe it is much superior to simply flaunting “faith” by blindly following others’ instructions because that would only be a compromise. Eventually, one would become weary of it because it lacks substance and a solid foundation from within. Therefore, as I continue on my journey, I will consistently search, reflect, and contemplate. I will never settle for anything less just to get through. I am grateful to Philosophy of Religion for expanding my awareness. I will never again be narrow-minded; I will analyze and ponder before embracing new ideas from others. Thank you, sir Vic! You are one of my most beloved teachers worldwide!