Problem
Consider the following case for analysis:
Kim, who works for a small nonprofit counselling agency, is counselling Mark, an 18-year-old college student who is worried about his recent binge drinking behaviours. Because Mark uses his smartphone "for everything," Kim agrees to use texting to set up appointments. One morning upon checking her text messages, Kim finds a message sent by Mark at 2:00 am simply stating that "life has no meaning" and that he will "now end everything". Kim sends off a frantic message to Mark, indicating her concern and requesting he contact her immediately. Kim does not know Mark's address, and the phone number provided is no longer in service.
A. What inner feelings and intuitions tell me to do in this situation? (See also Virtue-Based Ethical Decision-Making)
Up to this point, decision-making was mainly cognitive and rational. In this step, the task is to use emotional decision-making techniques. At this stage, counsellors can add some elements of virtue ethics, especially considering all the options below that can best help and show respect for the client. Consider the emotional response to the dilemma and answer these questions:
A. What emotions and intuition am I aware of as I consider this ethical dilemma, and what are they telling me to do?
B. How can my values best show caring for the client in this situation?
C. How will my decision affect other relevant individuals in this ethical dilemma?
D. What decision would I feel best about publicizing?
E. What decision would best define who I am as a person?