Write a 2-3 page paper (typed, double spaced, 12 point font) that discusses at least two of the following dillemmas that you have experienced during either of the first two quarters of your practicum. A dillemma is a problem situation or predicament which seems to defy a satisfactory solution. Discuss the nature of the situation, the parties involved, and how you handled or resolved the situation. The following are examples of professional dilemmas or ethical predicaments which professionals may face in their practice:
1. Ambiguity and Uncertainty. Making professional decisions without precisely knowing what the consequences of such choices will be.
2. Conflicting Obligations and Expectations. Making professional decisions in the face of multiple, often conflicting obligations, demands, and expectations, coming from many different constituencies including clients, colleagues, supervisors, employers, society, and others.
3. Professional Knowledge/Client's Rights. Making professional decisions on the basis of one's professional knowledge and experience, while respecting the right of clients to choose what they believe is best for them.
4. Informed Consent. Making professional decisions based on the client's informed consent, while realizing that clients rarely understand all of the implications and consequences of the choices facing them.
5. Sharing Limited Resources. Making professional decisions on the basis of sharing limited resources equally among all clients to whom one has a professional obligation, while realizing that a specific client needs a much greater share of these resources.
6. Priority of Client's Interests/Worker's Interests. Making professional decisions on the basis of what is best for the client, even if the worker's interests are placed at risk as a consequence of such a choice.
7. Choice of Effective Interventive Methods. Making professional decisions on the basis of one's own expertise, while another modality (in which the worker is less expert) may be more effective for a given problem situation or a particular client.
8. Limited Nature of the Professional Relationship. Making professional decisions which permit only the use of the limited professional relationship, even though the client really needs a total relationship.
9. Suspension of Judgement. Making professional decisions on the basis of suspending one's value judgement, even when one's own values or societal values clearly indicate a preference or demand a judgement.
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