Abby is a marriage and family therapist in a small town who has been practicing for seven years. One night, her husband, who is a police officer, came home from work and told Abby that their mutual friend Samantha, also a psychotherapist, has been arrested after an accident for driving under the influence.
Apparently, Samantha was coming home from a party and lost control of her car, driving into an unoccupied restaurant downtown. Samantha suffered only minor injuries, but a breathalyzer test indicated that her blood alcohol content was well over the legal limit. In addition, there was enough damage done to the restaurant that it will have to be closed for several days. Abby is very concerned about her friend and colleague. She immediately begins to think about her responsibility to the profession as well as her desire to help Samantha.
For this discussion’s initial post, respond to the following:
What obligations must you honor when you hear about a colleague practicing in an unethical manner?
Explain your obligations to the profession of marriage and family therapy, as a colleague of Samantha and to whom would you report Samantha’s behavior?
Cite specific ethical codes and your state statutes, as well as any other relevant resources.
Research peer-reviewed articles to support your answers and cite your references. Be sure to mention the state you are referencing.
Use the AAMFT Code of Ethics in shaping your initial post.
https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx
