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