Ethical Considerations in Countertransference and Burnout for LCSWs. Jordyn Reed, Division of Social Work, University of Wyoming SOWK 5100 Principles and Philosophies of Social Work, Laura Piccoli, June 28, 2024. Ethical Considerations in Countertransference and Burnout for LCSWs According to the NASW, licensed clinical social workers are one of the nation’s largest groups of providers of mental health services. These services include helping people with emotional and behavioral problems as well as diagnosing and treating mental health conditions (National Association of Social Workers, n.d.). They practice across a range of settings and with different demographics, offering therapy and support to individuals, families, and groups. …show more content…
These issues not only affect the well-being of social workers, but they also have profound implications for the quality of care provided to clients. This paper explores the ethical dimensions of countertransference and burnout, presents a clear stance on managing these issues, and offers recommendations for social workers to navigate these challenges in a manner consistent with professional values and principles, including social justice, anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Effective management of countertransference and burnout is essential for maintaining ethical standards in mental health therapy, ensuring the well-being of both social workers and their clientele, and promoting a practice that aligns with the core values of social work. Issue Selection and Relevance The Social Work Code of Ethics describes ethical dilemmas as “a circumstance in which two or more ethical principles of social work conflict,” (National Association of Social Workers, 2021, p. 3). Burnout and countertransference are both issues that could cause ethical dilemmas in the practice of a clinical social worker, or mental health therapist. Burnout is a state of physical, mental, and/or emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged