The relationship between a therapist and or counselor is the vehicle that permits the therapist to treat the client. This relationship is based upon an establishment of trust and that trust is worked through the moral actions of the counselor. In the ranges of privacy, competency, dual roles, sexual intimacy, and termination, the counselor must act morally and assemble a working relationship that can convey help and care to the patient. Counseling ethics are central to the identity and function of a counselor and especially a Christian counselor.
In providing therapy to a client, the therapist has a duty to do no harm (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002). According to Pope and Vasquez (2010) an ethical practice is dependent upon the competency of
Ethical issues in the mental health professions will arise in a counselor’s profession. Therefore, in order to keep clients and or patients safe, as a mental health profession it is important to understand the primary purpose of a code of ethics. These guidelines are incorporated to safeguard the welfare of clients by providing what is in their best interest. Nonetheless, these codes and guidelines are also designed to safeguard the public and to guide professionals in their work so that they can provide the best service possible (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 1998, p. 539)
Counseling is a profession that involves associations based on principles and values ethically. Patients are able to benefit by understanding themselves better and through creating relationships with others. Through counseling, the clients are able to make positive alteration in life and enhance their living standards. Communities, organizations, couples and families are different groups of individuals are main sources of relationships (BACP Ethical Framework, 2013, p.4). Frameworks of ethical practice direct the attention of counseling practitioners to engage in ethical responsibilities. This stud describes the purpose of each principle following the development of good counseling practice. Practitioners make reasonable decisions grounded on these principles without making any contradictions. Nevertheless, research indicates that professionals have met barriers hindering them to integrate all the principles in some cases. In such situations, they are forced to select between required principles. A course of action or a decision is not a merely ethical because it is contentious and that some professionals may have come up with differing judgments. Counseling practitioners should consider all reasonable circumstances by being careful and making appropriate justifications for their decisions
Therapist shall not enter into a therapeutic relationship with a client where there is undue influence to the detriment of the client or where there is a risk of exploitation or impaired judgment by the therapist. Therapist “need be particularly thoughtful to struggles that might rise during a dual relations or after a therapeutic relationship”
Dual relationships and the ethical behavior that revolves around boundaries with clients present a multitude of very complicated situations to counselors where a clearly defined course of action is not always evident. Aside from no accord amongst mental health professionals and boundary issues being unavoidable at times, recognition and prediction of potential benefits or pitfalls correlated with dual relationships can prove to be troublesome as well (Remley & Herlihy, 2010). For most cases, it is best if an outline is used to discern when it is appropriate for a counselor to breach the client-counselor boundary.
This theory focuses on the integration of Biblical principles by combining several aspects of major theories to provide the best treatment for clients. This theory also discusses the nature and need of man as well as the most important factors in determining the health and/or dysfunction of man. This theory provides a detailed process of intervention based on several major theories, while using Scripture as a basis for each method. Overall, this theory focuses on the importance of the client’s role in therapy. Ultimately, through the combined theories and integration of Scripture, it is up to the client to apply these methods. As a result of that application, with guidance from
Culture is a system of beliefs and values that individuals live by daily. Being a counselor in the human services field comes with ethical and unethical issues. One ethical issue is cultural sensitivity, which the counselor has to build a certain type of skills to understand the concept of diverse cultures. A counselor needs certain techniques, to have the understanding of their client’s problems. Certain issues will be brought to a counselor like gender, race, sexual orientation, class, and ethnicity. Therefore, being a counselor you would have to adapt to being a culturally sensitive “helper”. Which he or she has to adapt to traditional views of human development and functions well as communication.
This paper will discuss the importance of therapists
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.
The nature of therapist-client relationship and understanding the therapist’s role is vital in making sure that the client’s rights are not jeopardized. The client must be willing to trust the therapist. The therapist can earn the trust of the client will confidentiality guidelines that are established by requiring informed consent. The therapist-client relationship is based on counseling approach as well as relationship with the client. The therapist’s role is to understand the client’s needs, help them get their needs met mentally, and to develop the proper plan that fits the client’s needs. The therapist must fully
The second part of this paper focuses on a possible ethical struggle I may encounter on my path to becoming a professional counselor. I think that the ethical code I may struggle with the most is code A.10.e Bartering. The code states “Counselors may barter only if the bartering does not result in exploitation or harm, if the client requests it, and if such arrangements are an accepted practice among professionals in the community. Counselors consider the cultural implications of bartering and discuss relevant concerns with clients and document such agreements in a clear written contract.” (American Counseling Association, 2014). I feel that bartering would be difficult but possibly necessary with today’s economy. My main concern is that the
There are different outlooks that are perceived when an individual has chosen counseling as a career. People tend to ask, “why do you want to deal with other people’s setbacks. There are those that choose the career of being a counselor that maintain a sense of compassion for others, while maintaining the professional guidelines of ethics. Effective counseling is a two-way street. It takes a cooperative effort by both the person receiving counseling and the counselor. And it takes a commitment to make sometimes difficult changes in behavior or thinking patterns in all parties involved. Ethics are guidelines that are based on the basic principles of the counselor/patient code of ethics. The
Ethical issues in a counseling practice lay the foundation of a therapist in practice. Ethics are at the center of how the counseling process functions and operates in a successful manner for the clients who seek help in such a setting. In order for the counseling profession to be ethical and hold professional recognition, there are many facets that need to be examined and outlined to make sure all counselors and practitioners are functioning at the highest level and withholding their duties required by the counseling profession. The first introduction so to speak of the area of ethics also happens to be one of the first steps in counseling, which is the informed consent. The informed consent provides the basis of what happens or will be
One main problem in a therapeutic setting is creating and maintaining an ethical relationship between a therapist and a client. Like mentioned at the beginning trust is rarely ever gifted to someone and at most times must be earned. In settings there can be times when clients are often forced to seek therapeutic help. In most cases, children are forced by parents or guardians to attend therapeutic sessions in which they are often opposed to. This can make it that more challenging for the therapist to make a bond with the patient.
Therapy relationships with clients. The psychologist to patient relationship during therapy is a crucial aspect. It is within ethical guidelines that the psychologist clearly establish his role whether it be with an individual, group, or family therapist. These roles need to be understood for the variety of issues that may arise; one of which is the disclosure of information. Psychologists, for obvious reasons, are not to have sexual relationships with patients or former patients within a
The essential counseling skills begin with sequencing the intake to create a coherent process in obtaining information from Maria so she can accurately acquire information in a coherent and conscious manner. Jackson-Cherry & Erford (2014) clarify how counselors should use their fundamental counseling microskills to immediately construct an alliance-building to connect with their client who may arrive in a positive or negative emotional arousal state of mind.