Example Of Essay On Ethical And Unethical Counselor Behavior

Mental health associations advance on the moral codes for the purpose of defining professional expectation, setting professional standards for appropriate behavior and preventing harm to persons who go to therapy. Counselor should familiarize and follow the basic ethical guidelines. The ethical guidelines formed by different bodies such as American Psychological Association (APA), American Counseling Association (ACA) code and many others .
It’s unethical for counselor trying to persuade a client not to have an abortion. It’s because they are supposed to listen to their customers attentively, give them time, empathize and respect their need to express their feelings. These might perhaps make them understand themselves from different perspectives. The aim of counseling is to reduce confusion and enable them to cope up with the challenges facing them or make positive changes in their life if necessary. Counselors are not supposed to give advice but to help the client in making their choice or decision within the context of an approved counseling contract .
These are the steps I will take when I discover one of my colleagues was trying to persuade a client not to have an abortion. First, I will document the behavior that I perceive it’s unethical; therefore I will need proof or a witness for that action such as voice, documents, emails and many others. Second, I will report the unethical behavior to my superior. I will take the action to my boss so that the situation is managed. Third, I will contact ethics department or officer or confidential compliance organization. The hotline or emails are used to address the issue by sending a message anonymously. In addition, I will lead the human resources know the problem if seriously legal or policy breach, and if it violates policy or law then I will have an obligation to report it .
In conclusion, even if abortion leads to death, breast cancer, and many other dangers. But a counselor should not persuade a client not to have an abortion but only to give advice and leave the client to make her on the decision whether bad or good.

References

ACA. (2014). American Counselling Associassion Code of Ethics As approved by ACA governing Council. American Counselling Associassion, pp.1 -24.
Neukrug, E. (2013). A Brief Orientation to Counseling. Boston: Cengage Learning Press.