1. Write a 3-5-page paper based on the case vignette of Jill and Cindy (not including the cover page and references) addressing the errors that Jill made
using the below Write this section based on the rules and regulations of the state or jurisdiction you will practice in. You must utilize the code of ethics
that pertains to the license you are seeking (AAMFT Code of Ethics and/ or ACA Code of Ethics). The paper should include at least 1 citation per error
listed. Use APA format (no abstract needed) and include a cover page and reference page. No introduction or conclusion paragraphs are required. Use
the general format below for the main body of your
List the Legal/Ethical Errors from the Vignette:
Identify all the potential legal and ethical issues you see in this vignette and list them (bulleted list) using keywords like “dual relationship” or “confidentiality.”
Error #1
Error #2
Error #3
Error #4
Error #5
Error #6 and so on…
Using the below format, demonstrate you are clear on what the error is, why it is an error from the legal and/or ethical perspective, and how a competent, legally
and ethically sound therapist (YOU) would have done differently. Discuss each error you listed above repeating the format given for Error #1.
Error 1: Dual Relationship
Why it is an error: Describe the error that Jill committed in terms of applicable laws and/or ethics (AAMFT) incorporating class resources. If your state has a
code of ethics for the license you are seeking, you can use those as a resource to discuss why Jill’s actions are a legal or ethical error.
Correct Action(s): Write from the perspective of what you would do as the therapist instead. Go into detail not just a basic statement like, “I would follow legal
and ethical guidelines for dual relationships.” Put yourself into Jill’s shoes and imagine what you would do instead.
Case Assignment Prompt
Jill is a newly licensed therapist and has just started her private practice and has had difficulty building up a clientele resulting in a struggle to pay the rent on
her office space and her personal bills. Her friend Marsha from yoga class referred a client to her and told her one day after yoga class, “Cindy is my childhood
friend, and she really needs help. Her last therapist ruined her. You have got to help her!” Jill gladly agreed. Jill got Cindy’s phone number from Marsha and
quickly sent her a text that day. It read, “Hi Cindy. This is Jill and I am a therapist. Marsha referred me to you. I will be happy to work with you. What’s your
availability?”
Cindy quickly replied and came in the next day for a session. Jill was very happy to have a new client and went straight into the presenting issues right away. At
the end of the session, when time was “up,” Cindy was surprised and asked Jill, “Oh by the way, how much do I owe you?” In response, Jill stated, “We will figure
it out next time. Don’t worry.”
Jill and Cindy continued meeting for sessions for another month. Cindy would come in 5-10 minutes late most times and Jill would just go over the 50-minute to
make it up for her. Cindy was always so thankful and once stated, “You are the only person I can trust. Our friendship means so much to me.”
Jill also felt a great connection with Cindy and started thinking about Cindy outside of sessions and would look forward to working with her. Jill felt so close to
Cindy that she would even share some of her own personal issues with her.
One day, Cindy sent Jill a text asking Jill if she wanted to have lunch. Jill immediately replied by text, “Sure, I’m on break and don’t have another client for a few
hours! Where should we meet?” From that lunch date on, they continued meeting outside of the office setting for lunch or coffee as well as meeting for their
therapy sessions weekly. During one of their meetings, Cindy shared that she had sex with her last therapist. Crying, she shared, “It continued for 6-months then
one day he left me and said that we can no longer work together. He ignored my calls, texts, messages, and emails. I still think about him every day.” Jill felt very
sad for Cindy and tried to console her as much as she could.
One day not long after, Cindy stormed into Jill’s office and shouted, “That’s it, I can’t take it anymore! Just like he ruined me, I’m going to ruin him!” Jill was
confused, not sure what Cindy meant and asked, “What do you mean Cindy? What happened?” Cindy replied, “John, I decided I’m going to kill him. I followed
him home one day and saw him with his wife and kids. It broke me. If I can’t have him, no one will!” Jill tried to calm Cindy down and even tried distracting her.
“Hey, you want to go out to the mall? You will feel so much better after a little retail therapy!” Cindy continued, “No Jill, stop it. I decided, and no one is going to
stop me. He has a chronic case of asthma, and he can’t go anywhere without his inhaler. I’m breaking into his house today while he’s at the office and removing
his inhalers. Let’s see how much fun he will have with his family tonight while he is dying! “Jill was in shock. “What are you saying? Let’s get some fresh air
Cindy.”
Cindy stormed out of her office. Jill tried calling, texting, and left her several messages but there was no response. Jill was very nervous at this point. She knew
that Cindy can be drastic but never thought she could be this extreme. She decided to wait and see what would happen, believing Cindy would calm down since
she vented in their session. She did not hear from Cindy for an entire 4 days. Jill got the most horrific call 4 days later from the police. They wanted to talk to Jill
about her relationship with Cindy because she was in custody for the murder of John Mellows, a psychologist.
