Week 2

EDF5002 Values and the Helping Relationship

Ethical Codes and Guidelines for Counsellors

  • Key Ethical Organizations: - Australian Counselling Association (ACA, 2024)
    -** Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA, 2017)
    -** Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC, 2019)
    -** Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA, 2021)

  • National Standards: Established for Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Australia in late 2025.

  • National Code of Conduct: For General Health Services as per the Health Complaints Commissioner (2016).

Ethical Principles from PACFA (2017)

  1. Trust (Fidelity): Honoring the trust placed in the practitioner.

  2. Autonomy: Respect for the client’s right to self-govern.

  3. Beneficence: Commitment to promoting client well-being.

  4. Non-maleficence: Commitment to avoiding harm to the client.

  5. Fairness (Justice): Fair and impartial treatment of all clients.

  6. Self-respect: Fostering the practitioner’s self-knowledge and self-care.

Ethical Principles from ACA (2024)

  1. Fidelity: 13.0 Contracts.

  2. Autonomy: 6.2 Responsibility to the client – Client self-determination; 8.2 Anti-discriminatory practices- Client autonomy; 9.0 Confidentiality.

  3. Beneficence: 14.0 Boundaries.

  4. Non-maleficence: 6.1 Responsibility – Client safety; 11.0 Exceptional circumstances.

  5. Justice: 8.0 Anti-discriminatory practice.

  6. Dignity: 8.1 Anti-discriminatory practice – Client respect.

Ethical Principles from SAC (2019)

  • SAC Content:

    • A: Counselling relationship

    • B: Ethics & general conduct of members

    • 2: Values in the helping relationship

    • 5 & 6: Confidentiality

    • 9: Supporting diverse clients

    • 11: Professional competence & record-keeping

    • 12: Managing boundaries & dual/multiple relationships

    • C: Professional competencies

    • D: Clinical responsibilities

    • E: Continual education & development

    • F: Measurements & evaluation

    • G: Research & publication

    • H: Role of technology in counselling

    • I: Public statements

Ethical Principles from HKPCA (2021)

  • Key Ethical Principles:

    • Responsibility, integrity, justice, respect, confidentiality.

    • Modules covering: Consent, confidentiality, professional practice, and conflict of interest.

Legislation in Counselling

  • Legal Obligations: Familiarity with legal obligations in the practitioner's jurisdiction is crucial.

  • Quotes from PACFA (2017): Practitioners must comply with any Code of Conduct as required by law.

  • Scope of Practice (2020): Responsibilities include understanding legal requirements such as:

    • Mandatory reporting (where relevant)

    • Privacy laws

    • Requirements regarding involuntary clients (e.g., mental health settings).

Additional Legal Considerations

  • Court Subpoenas: Understanding requests to testify in court and proper record keeping.

  • SAC (2019) Highlights: Relevance of law to confidentiality, research, publications, and technology usage in counselling.

  • Knowledge of Changes: Legal changes require continued professional development and consultations when unsure about legal requirements.

Learning Objectives

  1. Clarify operation of therapist values in the counselling process.

  2. Understand ethical issues in imposing therapist values.

  3. Identify appropriate referral reasons for clients.

  4. Recognize when supervision is needed due to value concerns.

  5. Recognize value conflicts, such as those regarding sexual attitudes and behavior.

  6. Critically examine various case examples relating to value situations.

Key Terms

  • Values: Traits or qualities considered worthwhile; represent highest priorities and deeply held driving forces.

  • Guiding Principles: Values guide decision-making and behavior in the counselling profession.

Examples of Values

  • Acceptance, Dependability, Justice, Teamwork, Accountability

  • Diversity, Kindness, Trust, Achievement, Equality

  • Learning, Truth, Authenticity, Collaboration, Inclusivity

  • Respect, Wisdom, Commitment, Independence, Security

  • Creativity, Integrity, Simplicity, Beauty, Fun

Professional Values of Counselling

ACA (2024) Code of Ethics

  • Client Autonomy: Respect and enhance client’s decision-making abilities based on their beliefs and context (8.2).

  • Counsellor Awareness: Address personal prejudices and biases affecting the therapeutic relationship (8.3).

PACFA (2017) Code of Ethics

  • Authenticity: Being true to oneself in counseling relationships.

  • Care: Attending to and serving the needs of clients to prevent harm.

  • Courage: Making decisions in client interests despite personal discomfort.

  • Curiosity: Sincere interest in clients' lives and experiences.

  • Diligence: Effective use of counselling skills for desired outcomes.

  • Empathy: Connecting compassionately with clients' experiences.

  • Aspirational Attributes: Incorporate honesty, humility, resilience, respect, sincerity, and wisdom.

Diversity Respect in Practice

  • PACFA (2017): Respect for Diversity:

    • Practitioners should be aware of their biases regarding lifestyle, gender, age, etc.

    • Must listen sensitively to affirm and understand clients' perspectives and needs.

    • No discrimination based on personal beliefs and values.

Handling Values in Counseling

Values Imposition and Conflict

  • Values Imposition: Direct attempts by a counselor to influence a client’s adoption of their values.

  • Ethical Codes: Warn against value imposition, advocating respect for client self-determination.

  • Exposing Values: Helping clients recognize and discuss their own values as a healthier method in counseling.

Value Conflicts

  • Inevitability of Conflicts: Value conflicts between clients and counsellors arise but do not necessarily disrupt counseling.

  • Referral Ethics: Ethical considerations to avoid referring clients merely based on differing values.

    • Counselor’s responsibility is to manage value differences effectively.

Questions for Self-Reflection on Values Conflicts

  • Whose comfort is paramount in the client-counsellor relationship?

  • Congruence necessity between counselor and client value systems?

  • Consider potential harm to clients when making referrals.

Conclusion

  1. Values play a crucial role in counselling dynamics.

  2. Ethical implications exist regarding value imposition and conflicts.

  3. Referral to another professional may be appropriate under certain conditions.

  4. Counselors should identify when supervision is needed for managing value concerns.