Experiencing a traumatic personal crisis

Full Answer Section

   

• Be a supportive listener. Eloise needs someone to talk to who understands what she is going through. Peter can offer her a listening ear and can help her to process her emotions.
• Refer Eloise to a professional counselor. Peter can help Eloise to find a qualified counselor who can help her to deal with her grief and to improve her coping skills.
• Document the situation. Peter should document his conversations with Eloise and his observations of her behavior. This documentation will be important if Eloise's impairment continues and if she is unable to provide safe and effective counseling services.
• Report the situation to the appropriate authorities. If Eloise's impairment is putting the students at risk, Peter may need to report the situation to the school administration or to the licensing board. This is a difficult decision, but it is important to protect the students.

How would I deal with Eloise? I would start by listening to her and offering her my support. I would then encourage her to seek professional help and I would offer to help her find a qualified counselor. I would also document the situation and I would be prepared to report it to the appropriate authorities if necessary. It is important to remember that Eloise is a colleague and a friend who is going through a very difficult time. She needs our support and understanding. However, we also have a responsibility to protect the students she is counseling. If her impairment is putting the students at risk, we need to take action.  

Sample Solution

     

Peter has a number of ethical responsibilities in this case. As a colleague and friend, he has a responsibility to support Eloise and to help her get the help she needs. He also has a responsibility to protect the students she is counseling.

Here are some specific things Peter can do:

• Encourage Eloise to seek professional help. This is the most important thing Peter can do. Eloise is clearly struggling and she needs professional help to cope with her grief and to get back to being an effective counselor.