Question

Assume you are working with a client who made an openly racist statement during your intake interview.Are there specific ethical codes that would require you to address the issue?

Answer 1

First the question a counsellor need to ask himself is: Is this client in a croup counselling or individual counselling?

If it is a group counselling then, it becomes important to address the comment as it might affect the perception of other group members.

However, If it's an individual counselling; then, it might not be that important to address it until and unless the counsellor knows it will create a huge problem for the client. Even in the future counselling sessions, the Counsellor can take up this topic with the client (after the major problem of the client has been resolved) and can work on it with him.

There are no specific ethical codes for such comments given by APA. It all depends on the intensity of the comment, client's problem and it's effect on other people.