The document discusses an ethical dilemma faced by Jill, a social worker, when assigned a transgender client, Michelle, at a family counseling agency. It emphasizes the NASW Code of Ethics, particularly the principles of dignity and worth of the person and cultural awareness, urging Jill to respect the client's values despite her own beliefs. The document highlights the importance of ethical decision-making, suggesting Jill consult her supervisor for a resolution and pursue further training on diversity and cultural differences.

1. Code of Ethics:
The NASW Code of Ethics plays a very valuable lesson in this
ethical dilemma. Due to Jill working for a family counseling
agency, she is required to provide services to all who are in
need. One ethical principle I believe that applies to this
dilemma would be; Dignity and Worth of the Person.
I.) As a social worker, Jill should be knowledgeable enough to
consider that not everyone will share the exact same beliefs and
personal values as she does. For that matter, she should respect
Michelle's values enough to still provide services without there
being any conflict. Dignity and worth of the person means
respecting and treating each individual with the care and being
being mindful of their cultural, ethnic, and sex differences.
II.) By the client already having previous history with this
agency, turning down Michelle would be a total disgrace to the
agency due to the fact that Jill doesn't believe in the same
beliefs and values as the client. Jill and the agency's
responsibilities fall under the ethical standard: Cultural
awareness and social diversity (1.05c). In this situation, Jill and
the agency should seek to understand the nature of social
diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national
origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression. Many more responsibilities could be covered as
well.
Obligations:
In this scenario, when assigned the case Jill should have
reviewed the portfolio on time and actually give herself a
chance to process her thoughts and actions rather than reacting
out of frustration. Overall when faced with this dilemma, Jill
should have addressed the situation with her supervisor so that
someone else in their agency could be given the case without
any conflict. The NASW Code of Ethics plays a very valuable
role in this dilemma because this scenario expresses the
importance of showing all clients respect and treating them

2. equally. Also as a social worker, it shows the importance of
working in diverse communities.
Ethical Decision Making Guidelines:
Taking Diversity and cultural differences into account Jill must
understand that she has to adapt to the diversity and cultural
differences in today's society. Just because she doesn't agree
with Michelle's decisions and feelings that does not mean deny
services. Identify any legal issues that must be resolved and
any laws that must be obeyed means by failing to accept
Michelle's personal beliefs and values, this could lead to a
discrimination case toward Jill and the agency. This issue coul d
be seen as a hate crime considering the fact that Jill is denying
services because of her own beliefs. Deciding a course of action
and implement a plan should have taken place when Jill noticed
that she did not feel comfortable with taking on the case, her
immediate reaction should have consisted of calling her
supervisor Rose to create a plan or for the case to be given to
someone else. Meanwhile Jill should receive training on
diversity and cultural differences. Evaluating
impact and anticipating consequences would allow for Jill and
the agency to prepare trainings for such situations to come and
play out in the case of an event as such happening.
Garthwait, Cynthia L. The Social Work Practicum: Preparation
for Practice. Pearson, 2021.
“National Association of Social Workers (NASW).” NASW -
National Associacion of Social
Workers, www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-
Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.
NON-RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION

3. 1.3 Case Study: Jill’s Dilemma
As a social worker in a family counseling agency, Jill has had
the opportunity to gain experience
and enhance her clinical skills. The family counseling agency is
located in a college town, and
serves clients with co-occurring substance use and mental
health needs. Rose, Jill’s supervisor,
has given Jill a new client file to review.
After a long, busy day, Jill remembers the new case that
Rose assigned her. Jill is in a hurry, but she takes a
moment to review the file and notes that her client,
Michael, has indicated he thinks he may be transgender.
He prefers to be recognized as Michelle. He has received
counseling before at this agency without incident. The
file also states that this client is very depressed, has
suicidal thoughts, and is lonely without a support system.
Jill is surprised that an individual in this community would be
transgender, since she has not
had any personal relationships with anyone who identifies as
transgender (to her knowledge).
She does not accept that Michelle is right about how she feels,
and Jill can’t accept the idea of a
man wanting to be a woman. Jill heads home, but has already
begun an internal debate about
whether she can work with this client because of her own
religious beliefs. How should she
handle this? Typically, the agency does not turn clients away
because of beliefs or values. The
agency policy is determined in line with the NASW Code of
Ethics.
After a restless night, Jill has made a decision and plans to

4. speak to Rose.
*************
After considering this situation, go to the 1.3 Discussion forum
and respond to the questions
about this case study.
Your discussion posts should demonstrate a high level of
scholarship by connecting your ideas to
course materials and citing scholarly sources using proper
citation and references to support
your thinking.
After a restless night, Jill has made a decision and plans to
speak to Rose.