Value Objectivity Paper
Dominea Lopez
PCN-505
10/18/2017
Abstract
Counselors are held to strict standards that can cause ethical conflict with clients. Working as a professional counselor can be risky especially when it involves working with clients that are difficult to treat. Clients have their own belief system it is important counselors are aware of that, and don’t impose their own values and beliefs towards the client. I examined past research on belief systems and analyzed how ethical implications can cause dilemmas when a counselor expresses their values and beliefs onto a client. I provided steps counselors can take to make sure they are not in violation and ways to successfully work with clients who don’t
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Counselors can knowingly or unknowingly inflict values but doing so causes ethical dilemmas. If a counselor attempts to knowingly influence the attitudes, and beliefs of a client this is known as Value imposition.
Counselors need to recognize these shortcomings and remain professional and or possibly refer clients to other professionals when necessary. If counselors are aware of their own personal values this will keep them focused and keep them from harming the client. Having conflicting values does not mean that a counselor can’t work with a client it just means they will must proceed with caution. It is ok for the client to have a different value system and still work with them successfully. Before a counselor decides to refer a client to another professional they should first exhaust all options even if it means consulting with supervisor. According to Corey working within the framework of a client’s value system is what counseling is about, and will it be beneficial for the counselor.
A Counselor may have their own belief system and can find that they are in conflict because of their own bias and values. If a counselor finds they are having trouble working with a
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Julea was a counselor whose Christian faith did not permit her to work with a client who was in a same sex relationship. Julea no longer wanted to work with her client, and decided she was going to refer her to another professional to help her. The code of ethics prevented Julea from being able to refer her patient without being in violation. Julea was not pleased with this idea so she sued the school and took it all the way to court. This is a prime example of how imposing your own beliefs and values can cause ethical issues. If a counselor finds a client is challenging to work with there are a few different approaches they can take to get more out of the client. One important action a counselor can take is changing how the counselor interacts with the client. A publication on managing resistant clients found if counselors focus on organic interaction with the client and allow all course of actions to take place naturally this establishes a less resistant client and therapy is more effective.
There are several laws that protect clients and less, that protect counselors. In the past few years religious freedom has become more apparent and professionals are coming up with ways
Meeting Eboni’s needs is more important than meeting ours indicative in the NASW standards of practice. Kocet and Herlihy (2014 p.182) report that “counselors bring their professional, personal and cultural values into their professional relationships are not expected to be value free” These values and beliefs are integrated in their practices even though imposing these on clients is unethical. Maintaining the balance between personal and professional values is a challenging undertaking.
Counselors are faced with many ethical dilemmas that require the counselor to make decisions that are in the best interest of the student. It is important for counselors to use an ethical decision-making model so that consistency is brought to the process of making ethical decisions (Remley & Herlihy, 2014).
The counseling session should be centered on the client and their understanding of their world and/or problems not heavily weighted on the counselor interpretation of the client’s situation. The role of the counselor is to examine a problem needs changing and discover options in overcoming their problem. Bringing about change can help change the client’s narrative on their problem in the future and/or on life in the process.
Keeping a positive and open relationship so that the client feels comfortable sharing their issues with the counselor. If the client is feeling judged they will withhold information and stunt the counseling process.
Linde, L.E., Erford, B.T., & Cheung, A. (2010). Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling. In B.T. Erford (Ed.), Orientations to the Counseling Profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations (pp.55-92). New Jersey: Pearson.
Collaboration is an important indicator of the liklihood of change occuring. When the counselors and client can cooperate resistance does not occur.
This model identifies five moral principles which are: justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and fidelity. These fundamental guidelines are used to clarify issues that involve any given situation. Ethical guidelines may not address all situations, but will allow a counselor to explore ethical dilemmas and conflicting issues. Counselors are responsible to encourage clients to make their own appropriate decisions and to act on their own values. Two important things to consider when counseling client are: autonomous encouragement helps clients understand how their decisions and values that may or may not receive within the context of the society; they live in or may impinge on the rights of others (Kitchener,
A counselor should always keep their thoughts to themselves and remain open-minded about the situation. The only time a counselor should share their thoughts is if it helps the client with their situation that they are dealing with. “Counselors must practice only within the boundaries of their competence (Standard C.2.a.), and, if they “determine an inability to be of professional assistance to clients” (Standard A.11.b.), they should facilitate a referral to another provider. (Kocet, M. M., & Herlihy, B. J. (2014). Addressing Value-Based Conflicts Within the Counseling Relationship: A Decision-Making Model. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 180-186 7p. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00146.x).” Keeping your thoughts to yourself is
Informed consent. Counselors, whether in a group or individual counseling setting, must obtain informed consent from their clients. Counselors must disclose information about themselves to their clients. They also need to share with potential clients how long counseling will last and the topics that will be discussed in each session. According to the ACA code of ethics (2006), “informed consent is an ongoing process, and counselors appropriately document discussions of informed consent throughout the counseling relationship” (p. 236). Informed consent in group counseling is tricky because you have multiple clients; however, counselors have the option to meet with each group member individually in order to gain consent from their
The counselor accomplishes the above by expressing empathy, developing discrepancies, going along with resistance and supporting self-efficacy. Moreover, the counselor guides the client toward a solution that will lead to permanent posi...
there will be good days and bad days and the counselor must be careful not to allow the emotions of helping others become the main objective in
The theory they practice from will influence the type and process of counseling. All theories are different and have their own values within them. For example, some value the past of the client, their support system, or object each of these. This can influence the counseling experience for the client if they do not value the same beliefs as the theory it is a clue to try something different, or refer the client.
This paper will explore the concept of dual relationships between counselors and clients and the ethical implications of such relationships. In addition to presenting several examples of dual relationships, this paper will also explore how ethical decisions must be made to avoid potentially harmful or exploitive relationships in therapy as well understanding how different interactions between counselor and clients can be understood from an ethical standpoint, as well as how reviewing these ethical dilemmas may shape my future career as a counselor.
In order to be an effective counselor, one must remember to keep the client(s) in mind. The goal is to assist the client(s) in living the best life possible for that particular person or persons. With that being said, one cannot forget that they have their own set of morals, values, ideas, and the like. Social workers have to keep in mind that there will be cases that are complex and a favorable outcome may not be possible. In the instance that I am confronted with an issue that conflicts with my religious beliefs, I plan on assisting the client as much as possible by adhering to the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics, NASW standards for the Practice of Clinical Social Work, and discussing my concerns with my supervisor while compiling a way to reconcile my feelings and the client’s needs.
In this experience, I saw a client ask the counselor what they thought they should do in a situation where both choices were not desirable. The counselor did not give their opinion and it seemed like the client left more frustrated and confused than when he had come in. I empathized with him and frankly was a bit annoyed with the counselor for not giving him advice or her opinion. After the session, the counselor had mentioned that it was necessary for the client to make the decision by himself. Although I could appreciate this, I was not completely satisfied with this