Professionalism & Ethics Seminar: Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counselling

PROFESSIONALISM & ETHICS

SEMINAR:

WAYS TO ENHANCE PROFESSIONALISM
IN COUNSELLING

2ND & 3RD JULY 2022

VENUE:
BILIK PERSIDANGAN IDRIS BABJEE

UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

ORGANIZED BY

PLK561, SEM II, 21/22

SPECIAL GUESTS

Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Amir Awang

BA. (UM); M.Ed (UM); PhD (University of Alberta)
Member of Board of Counsellors

Associate Prof. Dr. Rahimi Che Aman

BEd(UPM); MA(UKM); PhD(USM)
Dean of PPIP

Dr Syed Mohamad Syed Abdullah

Dip.Educ (KUSZA); B.Ed. (UPM);
M.Sc. (UPM); Ph.D (UKM)
Academic Advisor (PLK561)

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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Mohammad Zul Fadzli Bin Zamri

Project Manager


Hazwani Binti Hasnor Khadi Wong Ke Xin Qaisara binti Kamaruddin

Ass. Project Manager Secretary I Secretary II


FINANCE & SPONSORSHIP MEDIA & DOCUMENTATION TEAM

Ooi Eugene Vinusa A/P Vadivel

Head of Department Head of Department

Lee Boon Tong Chin Xhing Ee Ningfan Qiu Lee Siew Jing



DECORATION ABSTRACT & SEMINAR PAPER

Shaundtrya a/p Ganasan Yong Poh Ling

Head of Department Head of Department

Aaisha Sohail Doreen Cheong Jia Fatin binti Fauzi Woo Cheng Hoe
Huey




CERTIFICATES & TOKEN FOOD & BEVERAGES

Vishnu Priya Naidu Loke Heng Hup

Head of Department Head of Department

Muhammad Muhammad Shafiq Bin Mt Ch'ng Yee Kheim Jocelyn Samson
Vallabouy
Adam Thaqif Kamil




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

SAFETY & LOGISTICS

Muhammad Anif Bin Mohd Robi

Head of Department

Amir Ashraf bin Muhammad Amin Tan Phoay Hoon Lu Peng
Khalid Bin Hidzir




PROTOCOL TEAM

Iffah Mardhiah binti Ahmad Sukri

Head of Department

Vivien Chng Jing Yashvindev Nurul Najihah binti Durgga Purbalan
Wen a/l Selvaraj Mohamed Shukri







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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

TENTATIVE

Seminar Tentative Day 1

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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

TENTATIVE

Seminar Tentative Day 2

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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

ABSTRACTS

Where studies begin.

Abstracts are arranged according to presentation list.
Every papers are equally amazing.

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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

The Dual Role as a Teacher and a School Counsellor with the Ethical Issues in
Malaysia

Lee Siew Jing
Wong Ke Xin







Abstract

The aim of the present study was to understand the experiences of working in a dual
role of being a classroom teacher and school counsellor including the related ethical
challenges faced by the individual in that role. This study would specifically focus on the
understanding and importance of the Code of Ethics in counselling, the situations and
challenges faced by the school counsellors, and the ethical dilemmas they experienced
working in the dual role in Malaysia. The research questions were based on these
aspects. This basic qualitative study recruited one participant who has experience as a
Malaysian international school counsellor and a registered counsellor. Findings were
found such as the possible violation of non professional relationships involved with
student clients when holding the dual role and how the interviewee dealt with ethical
dilemmas as guided by the Code of Ethics. These findings provided insights into the dual
role followed by the ethical challenges and the strategies that enable counsellors to
improve their competency in the counselling field.




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Counseling Practices in Secondary School
Qaisara binti Kamaruddin
Durgga Purbalan





Abstract

Ethics and Legal in Counselling are the most important key, role, and practices among
professional counsellors in any setting. This research paper presents legal and ethical
practices in one of the counsellors in secondary school in Air Itam, Penang for about 15
years. The interview includes the background of the counsellor, challenges faced before
and now, the dilemma between counsellor profession and teachers’ profession at the
same time and lastly is about the counsellor tackling the ethics and legal issue. The aim
of this interview is to learn and understand the academic counsellor or so known as
“guru bimbingan dan kaunseling” profession in practicing ethical codes and legal issues
in school setting. The finding of this interview highlighted by the counsellor is
confidentiality. This interview happened to be around 30 minutes to one hour. All the
issues and dilemmas discussed thoroughly in this research paper.
Keywords: school counsellor, ethics, legal, challenges, dilemma




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Ethics and Legal Issues in Counselling: The Ethical Dilemma of a Counsellor
Iffah Mardhiah binti Ahmad Sukri
Mohammad Zul Fadzli Bin Zamri









Abstract

Ethical dilemmas are one of the challenges faced by counsellors in the profession as it
involves a lot of decision-making processes when dealing with clients. The Code of Ethics
by the Board of Counsellors serves as an ethical guideline for counsellors in Malaysia. To
further understand about some of the ethical dilemmas faced in the counselling
profession, a professional counsellor was interviewed. The purpose was to gain insight
on her views on the ethical and legal issues in counselling. Among issues mentioned
were confidentiality and privacy issues when conducting family counselling, meeting the
client’s needs and expectations, and pricing dilemma of family counselling services. From
the interview, it was found that the counsellor had thorough understanding of the Code
of Ethics and followed the steps on how to make ethical decision. The counsellor
managed to make ethical decisions in terms of keeping the client’s privacy and
confidentiality, following the professional conduct of a counsellor in meeting client’s
needs and expectations, as well as putting a price on her services as per the guidelines.




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

́Suicide in Malaysian Youth
Ningfan Qiu

Woo Cheng Hoe









Abstract

Suicide is a social issue that could affect all parts of society and the country. Suicide rate
in Malaysia has been on a steady rise recent year. For adolescent, it remains one of the
leading causes of death worldwide. Dealing with suicidal youth can be challenging and
with it comes a variety of ethical and legal dilemma. The ethical issue that surrounds a
suicidal youth client and the steps needed to intervene was explore with a licensed
counsellor. The licensed counsellor has been in the mental health profession for five
years and currently serves as the Head of Psychology Department in a local university.
Among the issue that was risen during the interview session was the protection of the
client life, client trust, confidentiality and the adherence towards the Counselors Code of
Ethics and Counselors Act (1998). The view and judgement from interview had provided
insight to the investigator on how to deal with suicidal youth client while maintaining
integrity of counselling profession.




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Confidentiality and Trust in Family and Marriage Counselling
Muhammad Amin Bin Hidzir

Muhammad Anif Bin Mohd Robi







Abstract

This study is based on an interview session with a registered counselor and also a
syariah lawyer. The registered counselor expert in family and marriage counseling. This
interview emphasizes the views of counselors on issues involving the Counselors Act
1998 and the Counseling Code & Ethics in Malaysia. The results of the interviews discuss
about the Counseling Code & Ethics that related to the aspects of confidentiality.
Besides, this interview focuses on the factors that motivate counselors to often adopt
the Counseling Code & Ethics in relation to the aspects of confidentiality. In addition, this
interview has elaborated on the extent to which the function and effectiveness of the
practice of the Counseling Code & Ethics relates to the aspects of confidentiality. At the
same time, this interview details on how counselors overcome mistakes while applying
the Counseling Code & Ethics that involve aspects of confidentiality. The results of this
interview also discuss the views and personal advice of counselors to prospective
counselors in the future. Overall, this study emphasizes on the Counseling Code & Ethics
which involves the aspect of confidentiality in handling family and marriage issues.




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Malaysian Counsellors’ Ethical Congruence : An Illusion or a Strategic
Prerequisite

Muhammad Adam Thaqif
Vishnu Priya Naidu















Abstract

There is a growing demand of counsellors in Malaysia, in both public and private medical
institutions, as mental disorders and illnesses are increasingly prevalent, especially after
the Covid-19 pandemic hit. The multidimensional issues faced by people of all ages and
walks of life clearly requires attending counsellors to offer their expertise and other
relevant services in ethical manners compliant to the overviews of the Board of
Counsellor (Malaysia) and goals and sections of the Malaysian Counsellors’ Code of
Ethics. The main objective of this paper is to study the dilemmas relative to the ethical
practice of counselling and the increasing concerns of practiced therapeutic ethics. A
range of pertinent concerns and subjects were discussed in order to raise ethical
awareness and knowledge of ethical matters – regarding therapeutic processes and the
sensitivity of counselling practices and techniques, despite this study being completed in
the spirit of exploration and inquiry instead of comprising of conclusive solutions. In
conclusion, ‘ethical mindfulness’ was deemed as an effective acknowledgement and an
eventual long-term solution in relevance to the ethical matters of counselling to enable
practitioners to relieve clients’ mental disorders and illnesses appropriately and
effectively.
Keyword: Board of Counsellor, Counselling, Counsellor, Code of Ethics, Ethical Principles


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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Counselling Professionalism in the Legal and Ethical Context
Amir Ashraf bin Khalid

Nurul Najihah binti Mohamed Shukri











Abstract

In the profession of counselling, the Counsellors Code of Ethics and the Counsellors' Act
1998 (Act 580) served as guidelines for counselling practices. When handling certain
cases, dilemmas are inevitable and can be quite challenging to solve. This paper will
discuss counsellors’ experiences, challenges, and dilemmas, as well as how they were
handled professionally in accordance with the Counsellors Act of 1998 and the
Counsellors Code of Ethics. Participant worked as a lecturer at Universiti Pertahanan
Awam Malaysia (UPNM) and was a registered counsellor with Lembaga Kaunselor
Malaysia (LKM). A structured interview was conducted to answer sets of questions
regarding the understanding and views of the counsellor based on the Counsellors Code
of Ethics and Counsellors Act 1998. Furthermore, the counsellor’s experience and
dilemma were explored. Then we identify the challenges faced by counsellors and how
the Counsellors Act 1998 and Counsellors Code of Ethics influenced the counselling
session. These issues were then analysed and discussed according to their themes.
Keywords: dilemma, challenges, legal in counselling, counsellors code of ethics




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Ethics and Legal in counselling in hospital setting
Jocelyn Samson Vallabouy
Yashvindev a/l Selvaraj







Abstract

Dr. Keith Tye Sue Kiat, a professional and licensed counselor under Malaysian Board of
Counsellors (LKM), currently working as a Patient Counsellor at Institut Jantung Negara
(IJN) and part-time lecturer in IJN College. He majored in Psychology with specialization of
guidance and counseling also achieved doctorate in Health Psychology from
International Islamic University Malaysia. Member of Mercy Malaysia Ex-Officio and
volunteered MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services) - COVID
Pandemic Response. Published three journals - challenges and need of Adolescents
With Congenital Heart Defects/Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease (Tye, Kandavello, Wan
Ahmadul Badwi & Abdul Majid, 2021), Thedevelopment and evaluation of a “HeartBEAT”
Adolescent Transition Psychoeducational Program for adolescents with congenital heart
defects (Tye, Badwi, Alwi & Kandavello, 2021) and Types of social supports predicting
health-related quality of life among adult patients with CHD in the Institut Jantung
Negara, IJN, Malaysia (Tye, Kandavello & Gan, 2017). Dr Keith with wide and
comprehensive knowledge of the Counsellor Act and the Counsellors Code of Ethics
across his time of tertiary studies, highlighted that it provides his patients with a
professional and quality counseling service. Clients increase in faith towards counsellors
(Badzek, Mitchell, Marra, & Bower, 1998). Furthermore, enhanced interaction between
counsellors and clients is default (Bokhari, Saadan, Pilus, Hassan, Jano, Ishak, and
Mahmud, 2014). However, sufficient when hospital’s code of conduct and ethics
observed in hospital setting. In whole, believes counsellor’s act needs revision due to
less applicability to hospital setting, whereas both current counsellor’s act and code of
ethics needs add on that fills the ethical gap for virtual counselling.


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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Ethical Issues in Counselling Under Penal Institution
By: Muhammad Shafiq Bin Mt Kamil
Hazwani Binti Hasnor Khadi



Abstract

Professionalism requires following professional ethics, which are based on the morals


and beliefs of a society. No matter what a person's job is, professional ethics tell them

how to act when they are in a professional setting. PERKAMA (Persatuan Kaunseling
Malaysia) came up with a professional code of ethics for counsellors in Malaysia more
than 20 years ago. This code is now used to evaluate the professional conduct of local
counsellors. This seminar paper reviews various aspects of counselling professional
ethics based on an interview with a professional counsellor who has experience working
in penal institutions. Specifically, from the authors' perspective, this seminar study will
review the professional ethical issues of the interviewed counsellor based on the
PERKAMA Code of Ethics. The code of ethics that will be discussed are; Informed
consent in the counselling relationship (A.2); Roles and relationship with clients (A.5);
Termination and referral (A.11); Exceptions (B.2); Public responsibility (C.6); Relationship
with colleagues, employers and employees (D.1); Scoring and interpretation of
assessments (E.9).

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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

To or not to reveal: A case scenario in the children's home
Loke Heng Hup
Yong Poh Ling





Abstract

A counsellor’s professionalism can be upheld by adhering strictly to the counsellor’s
code of ethics and counsellor act. This paper aimed to discuss how the interviewee
made ethical decisions to solve the dilemma she faced during her placement in a
children home based on the Counsellor’s code of ethics and Counsellor Act. In
accordance with the counsellor’s ethical code B.1.c Respect for confidentiality, a
counsellor should with their best ability to maintain the confidentiality of the counselling
session but in the case scenario provided by the interviewee, the interviewee face a
dilemma in which the parent of the underage client request to reveal confidential
information about their child. The scenario shared by the interviewee has shown how
she overcame the dilemma she faced ethically by adhering strictly to the counsellor’s
code of ethics and the counsellor act. This paper will also include our view on the issue
and alternative ways to make ethical decisions.




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Understanding the Usefulness of the Counselor's Act 1988 and the Code of
Ethics for Malaysian Counselors: A Single Subject Study.
Aaisha Sohail
Lu Peng















Abstract

It is the responsibility to study and understand the code of ethics so that in their
practice they can incorporate the best practice, ensure client welfare and stay ethically
correct. While it is the responsibility of the counselor to be well-versed in the code of
ethics and the Counsellor’s Act 1988, it does not ensure how well counselors
understand it in actuality. This study aims to explore how a licensed counselor views the
code of ethics, the counselor’s act 1988 and how these two are applied while practicing
and making ethical decisions as they navigate their way as a counselor in Malaysia. A
single subject interview was conducted virtually. The study found that the counselor is
well versed in the foundations of the counselors act 1988 and the code of ethics and
uses these two as a guidebook while whatever ethical dillemas come their way as a
counselor. The counselor said it like ‘our Bible’ while referring to the 2 mentioned guides,
which reflected their importance for a counselor.




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Counselling, Ethics, and Law in Malaysia
Ch'ng Yee Kheim
Tan Phoay Hoon











Abstract

This article examines the ethical and legal issues that counsellors, particularly trainees
and novices, should consider when delivering counselling services. The article primarily
addresses issues that are common across fields, such as (1) professional relationships,
(2) types of confidentiality, and (3) ethical dilemmas. Furthermore, the utilisation of
technology in the counselling sector, such as social networking and video conferencing,
has been discussed. Nowadays, the internet has become a more popular and
convenient means for connecting with people regardless of time or location, notably
through social networking platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp (Lau et al., 2013).
Telecounselling and hotline services are becoming increasingly essential, particularly
during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, to alleviate the psychological
effects of COVID-19 among Malaysians (Abdullah et al., 2020). As telecounselling or video
conferencing are recognised as a new means to reach, facilitate individuals with
psychological first aid worldwide, the competency of counsellors, ethical and legal
considerations for online counselling must be emphasised. Following the new trend in
the counselling profession, mental health practitioners must equip themselves with
knowledge and be aware of the confidentiality as well as the limitations of confidentiality.
Keywords: COVID-19, Malaysia, Ethics and legal, Counselling




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas: A Counselor's Perspective
Vivien Chng Jing Wen
Chin Xhing Ee











Abstract

Ethical dilemma is described as "a scenario resulting from the conflict between two
values in a decision-making position." This study is based on an interview with a
counselor in Malaysia to learn about the counselor's perspectives on legal concerns and
counselling ethics. The interview involves discussion of the counselor's perspectives on
the challenges faced by a counselor in practicing the counselor's code of ethics. The
interviewed counselor is licensed in Malaysia and the United States, has 20 years of
counseling experience, and has worked in her counseling firm. This study aims to
identify the ethical dilemmas encountered by the counselor working under various
settings, what she did to resolve these dilemmas and the suggestions she gave to the
trainee counselors. The interview findings revealed multiple ethical dilemmas and the
decision-making model to deal with these dilemmas based on the code of ethics. The
dilemma is common among counselors when conducting therapy sessions, yet specific
knowledge, skills, and expertise can assist counselors in resolving the problem.
Keywords: Counseling legislation and ethics, ethical dilemmas, code of ethics




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Ethics and Legality of a University Counselor in Malaysia
Shaundtrya a/p Ganasan
Doreen Cheong Jia Huey













Abstract

Mental health services, specifically counseling, has been gradually growing in Malaysia
over the past decades. Professional code of ethics in Malaysia for counselors was
developed by Persatuan Kaunseling Malaysia (PERKAMA), more than two decades ago
and now it is becoming a reference point for evaluating professional conducts of
Malaysian practicing counselors. Counselor’s Act (580) was endorsed by the Malaysian
government in 1998 as a registrar for new counselor’s license and certification where
practicing professionals are exempted to register as stated in the Act. This paper briefly
outlines the perception and experience on the ethics and legality of a university
counselor in Malaysia. This paper also briefly explains the ethical dilemma faced by the
university counselor. The method used for this paper is through the interview with a
University Sains Malaysia counselor stationed at the student's affairs office of USM. The
limitation of this paper is that there is only one participant who shared her experience.
The suggestion for future research is to increase the number of interviewees for this to
be able to gain more insight of different views on both the code of ethics as well as the
counselor’s ACT.
Keywords: counseling, ethics, counselor act, dilemma.


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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

´To be or not to be ́: Conundrum of the Counselors
Fatin binti Fauzi

Vinusa A/P Vadivel









Abstract

Ethics and legal is the core foundation in the counseling profession whose main purpose
is to protect both counselor and client within the ethical and legal ground while
maintaining the professionalism of the field. As the counseling keeps evolving, the ethical
and legal issues continue to be a topic of discussion among the counseling practitioners
as they need to adapt to the new generation of clients as well as coping with the
pandemic-related issue. The study discusses the concept of ethics and legal counselling
in both local and western context. Other than that, challenges and ethical dilemmas
faced by counselors in Malaysia are explored and investigated further. The study design
used for this topic is qualitative study with narrative literature review and qualitative
interviewing. The interview was transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The
subject was a licensed counselor with 17 years of experience at a Malaysian public
university. The findings revealed that the counselling practitioners experienced ethical
and legal issues while providing service in organization due to organizational culture,
external factors, and pandemic-related factors. In overcoming the conflicts, the
counsellor used few strategies like seeking information, prioritizing professional values
over religion and balancing between personal and professional interests.




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

"Hi, are you there to listen?"
Lee Boon Tong
Ooi Eugene





Abstract

Professionalism of a counselor can be maintained through following the Counselors
Code of Ethics and Counselors Act (1998) [Act 580]. In a scenario of considering any
possible non-professional relationship with the client, the counselor can refer to code
“A.5.c - Interaksi atau hubungan bukan professional [selain daripada interaksi dan
hubungan seksual dan romantic]” which stated that non-professional relationship
between client, former client, client’s romantic partner or client’s family member should
be avoided, unless the interaction has potential to benefit the client. The scenario
shared by the interviewee has shown how she made the decision ethically during the
dilemma, and her efforts in maintaining the professional relationship while allowing the
exemption of messaging her whenever the client needs outside the counseling sessions.
Our views regarding this issue, the reasons for discouraging interaction outside
professional relationships and steps when making ethical decisions were also discussed
in this paper.




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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

LIST OF SPONSORSHIPS

Special thanks to:

School of Educational Studies
(PPIP)

for providing venue

Perniagaan Pelangi Ara

for providing booklet
printing services

Mr. Chuah Ah Hwa
Mr. Tan Siak Po
Mdm Loo Siew Hong
Ms. Ooi Ying Yik

for monetary support.

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Professionalism & Ethics Seminar : Ways to Enhance Professionalism in Counseling

Special Appreciation to



Dr Syed Mohamad Syed Abdullah
(Academic Advisor of PLK561)


&


Students of PLK561

Class of Semester II, 2021/2022