Chapter Three - Values and the Helping relationship PDF

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Chapter Three Values and the Helping relationship Managing personal values    

Counselors must have the ability to work with a range of clients with diverse worldviews and values Managing personal values so that they do not unduly influence the counseling process is referred to as “ethical bracketing” Clients should not be exposed to discrimination by counselors who refuse to render services to them because of differing values Clients often come to therapy in search of a safe and supportive environment in which they can share secrets and unburden themselves of shame or guilt

Value exploration  

Value exploration is at the heart of why many counselor education programs encourage or require personal therapy for trainees Personal therapy provides an opportunity to examine your beliefs and values and to explore your motivations for wanting to share or impose your belief system

Value Imposition  

The imposition of values by the counselor is an ethical issue in counseling individuals, couples, families, and groups Value imposition refers to counselors directly attempting to influence a client to adopt their values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors

Value Conflicts    

All counselors are expected to have basic competencies If you experience difficulties over conflicting personal values, seek supervision and learn ways to effectively manage these differences Consider a referral only when you clearly lack the necessary skills to deal with the issues presented by the client Do not try to convince yourself that you are working in a client’s best interest by referring a person because of your discomfort with their beliefs and actions o This may constitute an act of discrimination

Discriminatory Referrals  

Insufficient training is sometimes used as an excuse or a cover for the real reason for making a referral – the counselor’s difficulty with the client’s values When faced with a topic you know little about, good first steps are to educate yourself, seek supervision, and obtain further training

Legal framework Regarding values Discrimination 

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In two court cases, Christian students filed suit against their public universities over the requirement that students avoid imposing their moral values on clients o Julea Ward v. Board of Regents of Eastern Michigan University o Jennifer Keeton v. Board of Regents of Augusta State University In some states, “freedom of conscience” clauses are being inserted into legislation to protect religious freedom o However, conscientious objection acts violate the letter and spirit of the ethics codes o Arizona’s Senate bill 1365 o Tennessee controversial legislation A values statement informs prospective students about the competencies they will expected to develop during their training program Students have a right to maintain their personal values

Seeking supervision regarding your values 

Through supervision, counselors in training can learn how to manage their values and how to avoid using their professional role to influence clients in a given direction or to make decisions for clients about how to live

Value conflicts regarding sexual attitudes and behavior  

Mental health practitioners may be working with clients whose sexual values and behaviors differ sharply from their own Ignoring talk of sexuality with clients can lead to unintended harm and negative outcomes

Values conflicts pertaining to abortion  

Clients who are exploring abortion as an option often present a challenge to clinicians, both legally and ethically From a legal perspective, mental health professionals are expected to exercise “reasonable care”, and if they fail to do so, clients can take legal action against them for negligence

Case study of other possible value conflicts  

The case of Reggie It is the counselor’s job to explore the meaning of the client’s behaviors rather than rendering judgment

Spirituality and Religion  

Spirituality is often defined as a more personal quest for transcendence and meaning, whereas religion is often linked with dogma and ritual Key Issues:

o Can the counselor understand the religious beliefs of the client? o Can the counselor work within the framework of the client? Role of spiritual and religious values in counseling    

Religion and spirituality are oftentimes part of the client’s problem and can be part of the client’s solution Spirituality and religion are critical sources of strength for many clients Spirituality and religion should be incorporated in the assessment and treatment process Counselors need training in using a variety of intervention strategies in working with clients on their spiritual concerns

Nonreligious clients  

We also must honor the beliefs and concerns of individuals who identify as nonreligious To practice ethically and effectively with these clients, therapists must gain competence in making assessments and in providing treatment for these people

Value conflicts regarding End-of-Life Decisions   

Baxter v. State of Montana California End-of-Life Option Act Death with Dignity Act

End-of-Life decisions: Key Terms    

Rational suicide: A person decides to end his or her life because of extreme suffering involved with a terminal illness Aid-in-dying: a person self-administers a death-causing agent, a lethal dose of legal medication, provided by another person Hastened death: ending one’s life earlier than would have happened without intervention by withholding or withdrawing treatment or life support Advanced directives: a written document containing decisions people make about end-of-life care that are designed to protect their self-determination...