Posted: September 5th, 2022

Professional Ethics and Ethical Practice in Counselling

Professional Ethics and Ethical Practice in Counselling
Like other professions, counseling is governed by ethics that help professional counselors safeguard their professions and best serve their clients. Ethical practice in counseling is very critical, given the sensitivity of topics discussed during counseling sessions. The American Counseling Association (ACA) has published a set of ethical guidelines that regulate the counselor-client relationship. These guidelines seek to ensure uniformity in service delivery while also protecting both the practitioners and the clients from legally implicating themselves.
There are five bedrock ethical principles that are fundamental to a healthy counseling relationship.
Autonomy: The principle of autonomy promotes respect for the client’s independence and self-governance. The essence of this principle is that the counselor should allow the client the freedom to make their own decisions. The counselors should encourage the client to make their own decisions and stick to their values and principles by helping them understand the impacts of their decision and values. Clients without the ability to make sound decisions should not be allowed to make decisions that may harm them or infringe on the rights of other people.
Confidentiality: Commonly referred to as fidelity, this principle entails honoring the trust that the client places in the practitioner. The councilor has the duty not to disclose any private information about their client.
Justice: The principle of justice emphasizes fair and impartial treatment of all clients and respecting human rights and dignity. But this does not translate to treating all individuals the same. The counselor should be able to determine any impartiality in the provision of services between different clients. For instance, when treating a blind client, the counselor should take them through the form orally rather than giving them a standard form to fill. However, in all other regards, the clients should receive the same treatment as all other clients.
Beneficence: Emphasizes the counselor’s responsibility in promoting the well-being of the clients. It means that all the actions of the counselor should be based on professional assessment and be in the best interest of the client. Beneficence also entails early interventions and preventing harm when possible.
Non-maleficence: It is the concept and commitment not to harm the client. This principle prevents the client from causing or inflicting intentional harm. One should, therefore, weigh potential benefits and potential harm before concluding any decision.
Other ethical qualities considered vital in the provision of services include integrity, competence, empathy, sincerity, and humility. Counselors will often encounter different dilemmas during practice. In such situations, the above guidelines should guide them in taking the most appropriate course of action.

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