The best time to solve ethical dilemmas is before they become major issues. It may be that you are feeling inclined to overshare with a client. You may have heard colleagues talking about clients in a local restaurant in a manner you thought could identify people. It may be that you have an “out of the box” idea for assisting a client, but you’re not sure if it is within agency policy. Sometimes you may feel like you are overreacting or being an alarmist. If you are feeling unsure about a situation, trust your instincts. Especially as an intern, you are still developing your own professional identity and direction. It may turn out to be a non-issue, but responding ahead of time is much easier than figuring out a solution when a dilemma has already developed.

7.5.1 Asking for Help

When you have questions about possible ethical issues, the number one most important step is asking for help and guidance from a trusted colleague or supervisor. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of determination to get past a hurdle. I frequently tell students the best way to find themselves in the middle of an ethical problem is to keep the issue to themselves. When you are unsure of a situation, your supervisor and colleagues are the best source of information and guidance. They will be more familiar with the agency policies, and have possibly been involved in a similar situation.

When you say you could use some input handling a case, it may make you feel vulnerable and as if you are not able to handle the work. The truth is that all of us have been in a sticky ethical situation at one time or another, and asking for assistance can be a sign of growth and humility. Asking for input greatly expands the body of knowledge and expertise available to you with which to view the situation and decide upon a course of action.

7.5.2 Your Instructor and Classmates as Resources

By the time you are completing your internship, you may have spent months or even years with your teachers and classmates. You and your classmates are now completing the final step in your education before either going out to begin your career, or to move to the next step in your education. Do not overlook them as a source for support when you are having ethical questions. In fact, it is extremely unlikely that you are the only student in your cohort who is going through or has gone through an ethical dilemma themselves. Your instructors also bring a wealth of professional experience and knowledge that they are happy to share. Your willingness to discuss your issues will again give you access to more points of view, and may also encourage other classmates to share their own concerns. This enriches the educational experience for all of you.