Ethics in Counselling
Table of Contents
Abstract..........................................................................................................................2
Ethical Practice in the Helping Relationship..................................................................3
Role of the Counsellor................................................................................................3
Self-Awareness and Self-Reflection in Counselling......................................................4
Personal Beliefs..........................................................................................................4
Emotional Triggers.....................................................................................................4
The Impact of Personal Values and Beliefs in the Helping Relationship......................5
Values Imposition.......................................................................................................6
Personal Reflection.........................................................................................................6
Conclusion......................................................................................................................8
Works Cited....................................................................................................................9
, 2
Abstract
Underlying the codes of conduct are principles that emphasise values counsellors
should strive to abide by in the approach to helping. These principles include;
Beneficence, (acting in the best interest of the client), Competence (conducting work
that one is trained to do), Non-maleficence (do no harm); Fidelity (behaving in a trustworthy
manner) Integrity (Respect for human rights and dignity)
Helping professionals should ensure that their work never violates an individual’s
human rights. In most countries, if not all, psychology is organised as a discipline with a
respective code of ethics that governs the behaviour of helping professionals in order to
protect the public from potential harm [ CITATION Swa17 \l 7177 ].
The following essay aims to reflect on the importance of self-awareness and self-
reflection within the context of mental health and identify my own personal values and biases
that have come to my attention in the Ethics in Counselling module. I will discuss the
problems that arise from value impositions, reflecting on how specific personal values of my
own could not only serve as a counselling strength, but also counselling impairment. Lastly,
I will discuss ways in which I could deal with the counselling process should my values and
biases pose a potential threat to the helping relationship.
Table of Contents
Abstract..........................................................................................................................2
Ethical Practice in the Helping Relationship..................................................................3
Role of the Counsellor................................................................................................3
Self-Awareness and Self-Reflection in Counselling......................................................4
Personal Beliefs..........................................................................................................4
Emotional Triggers.....................................................................................................4
The Impact of Personal Values and Beliefs in the Helping Relationship......................5
Values Imposition.......................................................................................................6
Personal Reflection.........................................................................................................6
Conclusion......................................................................................................................8
Works Cited....................................................................................................................9
, 2
Abstract
Underlying the codes of conduct are principles that emphasise values counsellors
should strive to abide by in the approach to helping. These principles include;
Beneficence, (acting in the best interest of the client), Competence (conducting work
that one is trained to do), Non-maleficence (do no harm); Fidelity (behaving in a trustworthy
manner) Integrity (Respect for human rights and dignity)
Helping professionals should ensure that their work never violates an individual’s
human rights. In most countries, if not all, psychology is organised as a discipline with a
respective code of ethics that governs the behaviour of helping professionals in order to
protect the public from potential harm [ CITATION Swa17 \l 7177 ].
The following essay aims to reflect on the importance of self-awareness and self-
reflection within the context of mental health and identify my own personal values and biases
that have come to my attention in the Ethics in Counselling module. I will discuss the
problems that arise from value impositions, reflecting on how specific personal values of my
own could not only serve as a counselling strength, but also counselling impairment. Lastly,
I will discuss ways in which I could deal with the counselling process should my values and
biases pose a potential threat to the helping relationship.
