Question

Should a counselor remain value-objective about controversial issues presented by a client (such as abortion, suicide, adultery, drug use, domestic violence, child abuse, etc.)? Some counselors might argue that they should not express their values or criticize their clients for these behaviors, while others would say that expressing moral judgment is appropriate. Consider the information above and Chapter 3 of the textbook. Write a 1,000-1,250-word paper addressing the following: Analyze the ethical implications of a counselor expressing their values to a client. Identify actions a counselor might take when confronted with clients they find difficult to treat due to differences in values/beliefs regarding one or more of the following issues: abortion, suicide, adultery, drug use, domestic violence, child abuse Some of the legislation and government policies related to clinical mental health counseling Identify factors that might lead a counselor to consider referring a client to another counselor. Describe steps a counselor should take if referral is not an option. Be sure to use the ACA and NAADAC codes of ethics as guidelines when constructing your paper. Include three additional scholarly resources in your paper in addition to the course textbook.

Answer 1

A counselor or a therapist must abide by the guidelines established by the American Psychological Association. The client and the therapist come together to help the client cope and adapt better in his environment. An issue like adultery is very subjective in its morality. There is no right or wrong. If a person is running after sex, that is his vice which he is not able to exert self-control on. If his reason for adultery is unsatisfying sex, I would counsel him to speak to his wife about it instead of looking it elsewhere. However, rubbing off moral judgment on the client is inappropriate. There is a way to do it and it must follow within the guidelines.