Preview

Why Do Counsellors Need to Work Within a Recognised Code of Ethics?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
526 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Why Do Counsellors Need to Work Within a Recognised Code of Ethics?
Why do counsellors need to work within a recognised code of ethics?

The need for any type of counsellor to adhere to a code of ethics is essential for a number of reasons:
Primary reason is to protect the client. A non-exploitation policy coupled with a duty of care. The responsibility of the counsellor is to felicitate change, not to direct and overpower the client. It would be all too easy to put your own needs first; an example of this would be financial, simply stringing the client along with another session each week by not allowing the counselling to reach a natural end. The counsellor must be accountable to their organisation. Full confidentially is essential so that the client knows that anything that is discussed in the session does not get discussed with anybody else, by explaining to the client that their name is never mentioned in meetings this should make the client comfortable with what they discus.
A duty of care exists to protect the client. It would be a counsellor’s duty to flag up any medical worries they are told, especially any mention of self-harm. If the counsellor is struggling with what is happening in a specific case because it is no longer in their field of expertise or not having been trained in the specifics of the case they must bring these issues up at supervision meetings.
The counsellor must be aware that they need to remain professional at all time. They are not here to judge the client even though they may not agree with what the client is saying. The agenda should be set by the client. Boundaries must be set by the counsellor and what is to be expected. By being a good example, Such as being punctual and respectful and building a professional but caring relationship with the client.
It is important not to allow the boundaries to become blurred. By allowing a friendship to build up outside of the counselling room, all manner of problems can come up if a non-professional relationship begins. Seeing each other outside of

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    The above points are a brief precis of what the Code of Ethics covers, and are an integral part of the therapists working practice. The therapist must remain professional at all times both in appearance and manner. It is also important to consider the layout of the consulting room to ensure safety for both the client and the therapist. The initial consultation will be the first time the client and therapist meet and first impressions are important to the client and will count. The therapist will have assumptions made about them within the first minutes of meeting.…

    • 2216 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    I was also able to explain that confidentiality was also a strength because if the client didn’t know that the confidentiality during the sessions then they might not be open to telling me the counsellor about what their issue is and so then I might take the information…

    • 2815 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    The working relationship should by now be established and the client will have the confidence and willingness to explore their own feelings without feeling uncomfortable, they…

    • 2671 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    D2 counselling

    • 1131 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Counsellors do not offer advice as such but instead give an insight into a client’s feelings and behaviour and they help the client to change their behaviour accordingly. They do this by actively listening to what the client has to say and comment from a professional perspective. Counsellors are trained to be effective helpers, especially in sensitive and difficult situations. They have to be independent, very neutral and professional as well as respecting the privacy and confidentiality of a client. Counselling can help clients to clarify their problems, identify the changes they wish to make and give them a fresh perspective. Counsellors should help them to seek other options and look at the impact that life events have made on the client’s emotional wellbeing. They also help clients to come to terms with difficult issues and it works best if the client comes to counselling from their own free will.…

    • 1131 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Mental health counselors have to follow rules, and guidelines also known as codes of ethics. There are many ethical and legal issues in the field of counseling. Codes of ethics are designed to protect the client as well as the counselor. “Most fundamentally, they exist to protect and promote the welfare of clients” (Remley & Herlihy, 2010, p. 11). This assignment will explore two different codes of ethics, and consideration will be given to how these codes will apply to working as a future counselor.…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Mhcounselor

    • 879 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Both the ACA (2005) and the AMHCA (2010) Codes of ethics provide training, and guidance in terms of making ethical decisions. Both codes cover a wide range of ethical and professional topics common to the counseling profession. In this paper I will look at the ACA and AMHCA Codes in the areas of confidentiality and duty to warn, boundaries, and dual relationships. I will also discuss any major differences in these two codes of ethics.…

    • 879 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    My perception of the article is there are codes of ethics that professional counselors must adhere to. In fact, a code of ethics is the identifier that most directly and visibly defines a profession for its stakeholders (Tarvydas, 2000.) Stakeholders are clients, the profession, and the counselors. Furthermore, the code of ethics is considered as the law because it provides written guidelines that define appropriate behavior which can assist professionals with dilemmas in which they may encounter and as a result, often avoid. The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, also known as the Code has been a major contributor to the professional counselor’s field. Thus, revisions to the Code have been created due to client lawsuits…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A counsellor’s approach is unique and is based as much on their own belief system and personal values as the theories they have studied. A good counsellor will be able to use these to help promote a good positive working relationship with their clients.…

    • 778 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    client from carrying on or prevents a counsellor from recognising client’s feelings because they are…

    • 80 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    No matter what work atmosphere a counselor is in, the counselor will face daily moral obstacles. As a counselor, one must be able to make ethical decisions through challenging conditions and determine the best path that will eventually be the best alternative for the clients. For this to take course, the counselor must be knowledgeable of professional and personal matters that may sway their decision, when it comes down to the livelihood of the clients, other counselors, and the profession as a whole (Houser & Thoma,…

    • 2832 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ethics plays a huge role in the counseling profession. The professionals that practice counseling whether group or individual must be very careful not to violate any of the ethics code because it could cause them to lose their career. Counselor and Therapist that work with groups setting have ethical standards that they must adhere to only a daily basis. There are several ethical issues that may present as barriers to counselors and therapist as well as the people that they serve. Whether it is in a group setting or in an individual setting, professional counselor and therapist must be careful staying within code of ethics. Group counseling can offer several relationships…

    • 3148 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Ethics and Law

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Ethics and law in the field of counseling often times intertwine. As I noted in my discussion earlier this week, there are times when ethics and law overlap and seemingly collide, which then poses threat of a quandary for counselors. The law indicates the minimum standard that society will allow, whereas ethics represents the most ideal standard to uphold. According to Corey and Herlihy (2006), standard of care signifies a balancing of the two, take malpractice or negligence for instance, each fails to meet what is considered “customary care” a consumer should receive. We have the duty to keep the information of an individual confidential. We also have the duty to warn. I pose the question for illustration purposes; what if a client with a communicable disease was embarrassed or fearful of their own safety once revealed? Or perhaps client may be reluctant to tell their spouse or partner about infection or disease; or the client was an adolescent that didn’t want their parents to know; they may be an I.V. drug user who shares needles with others; or perhaps a sex-industry worker that was afraid of repercussions? Instances such as these provoke interplay amongst ethic and law. As Herlihy and Remley suggested, best practice defines our “absolute do’s and don’ts of ethical behavior” and provides that all counselors be competent. It then is the responsibility of the counselor to choose the best, ethical course of action to meet the need of the consumer, all the while adhering to the legal standards established by state and federal establishments (Corey & Herlihy, 2006). There are some legal statutes that determine how a counselor will proceed ethically. One situation would include laws set in place for abuse and neglect for instance. The professional counselors must report any suspicion, allegations, or evidence of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to legal and state authorities. Any person that…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The code also identifies ethical considerations relevant to professional counsellors as well as counsellors in training. It enables the association to clarify for current and prospective members and for those served by members, the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by its members. In addition to that, the code serves as an ethical guide designed to assist members in constructing a course of action. This course of action best serves those utilizing…

    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This is to ensure quality counselling services and to protect both the counsellor and counselee. To summarize, counsellors must remember the following code of ethics:…

    • 1205 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Muet

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Counsellors are governed by a Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Clinical Practice, requiring information disclosed by the student be held in confidence and released to others only with the student's written consent. Counsellors are only required to release confidential information if it is subpoenaed, if there is reasonable suspicion of abuse of children or vulnerable persons, or if the student presents a serious danger to self or others.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays