Family Counseling in the Presented Scenario, There

Family Counseling

In the presented scenario, there are issues that are clear and that are bound to influence the direction or the effectiveness of the family counseling as well as present ethical issues. First, it is important to understand the contents of the biblical passages to understand their implications to the case.

The book of Mark 10: 6-9 is relevant in marriage situations and commonly referred to in marriage ceremonies or when setting marital boundaries between children and their parents. The book of Luke 14:26-27 on the other hand is indicative of a spiritual call; the words in this passage can be misrepresented, but to understand it better one needs to refer to situations in the New Testament where Jesus was calling his disciples. Whereas the first passage would be applicable in setting family boundaries, the second one, used or referred to inappropriately would be harmful to family ties and more so in a setting as the one presented. To get a clear picture of the implications of the bible verses, it is important to understand the reasons that prompted the issuance. The passages were issued for the daughter to see how one must distance themselves and become self differentiated.

The family has been seeking counseling for the past 5 weeks; they must have sought counseling as a unit. It is essential for a counselor not only to view, but also to treat a group of people operating as a unit as a client whose efforts must be addressed. According to AACC Code of Ethics 1-540, in family counseling, the family is identified as a primary client and as a unit. In addition, individuals exist in the group and in this case, the daughter as an individual in the group, seemed to show signs of independence, but the problems each of them is experiencing are not individual but rather are social in nature. These issues are better understood and handled in their social context. Therefore, a boundary violation occurs when the counselor places own needs above the client's needs and gaining in the process.

According to the AAMFT Code of Ethics 1.1, gives clear direction on therapy without discrimination. Setting boundaries between the daughter and the family due to the anxiety disorder would be discriminatory unless this would be the beginning of the termination of the counseling sessions. The family here is the client and it is a disservice to break them up, unless the session is not effective, which calls for section 1.9 of the AAMFT Code of Ethics that calls for the end of therapeutic relationships if not beneficial to the clients.