Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling Clients With Eating Disorders

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Abstract

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious biopsychosocial issues with severe consequences, including a range of potentially lethal medical complications. The rate of mortality in clients with anorexia nervosa (AN) is among the highest of all psychiatric conditions. This chapter discusses specific issues related to promoting the well-being of clients with EDs, including counselor self-awareness, scope of practice, and practicing according to best-practice guidelines, which include the counselor’s ethical duty to protect the client from self-harm. Next, it highlights the issue of client autonomy, describing issues related to informed consent and determining client competence to make rational treatment decisions. The chapter further explains the ethical decision-making process using a decision-making model and a case to illustrate the model’s steps. Counselors who engage in providing treatment for clients with EDs must have a strong desire and enthusiasm to pursue the additional training and personal examination necessary to conduct this work successfully.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Eating Disorders and Obesity: A Counselor’s Guide to Prevention and Treatment

First Page

69

Last Page

88

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS