Values of a Therapist

By Saturday, December 6, 2014, respond to the discussion questions assigned by the faculty. Submit your responses to the appropriate Discussion Area. Use the same Discussion Thread to comment on your classmates' submissions and continue the discussion until Wednesday, December 10, 2014. All written assignments and responses should follow APA style for attributing sources

In an ideal world, the values of the therapist would not influence therapy or the therapist's reactions to clients. However, when therapists deny their values or minimize their views on important issues during interactions with clients, this can cause problems in the therapeutic relationship. In an effort to explore the many issues that can arise concerning a therapist’s values and how they affect the therapeutic process, please respond thoroughly to each of the following questions:

1.Do you think therapists should deliberately reveal their values to a client in therapy? If so, why do you believe this is important? If not, what potential difficulties might this cause for the client or the therapeutic process?

2.How much importance should a therapist place on helping the client identify and verbalize his or her values as they relate to their presenting problem? 

3.Based upon your response to question 2, explain why a client’s value system is vital or inconsequential to the therapeutic process? 

4.Discuss one practical strategy you could use in therapy to help identify and clarify a client’s value system without imposing your own.

How would you keep your values out of your therapeutic relationship?  Should you always do this or are there times when you can share?

Is it ethical to share?

What would you ask your client in order to draw them out and help them reveal what and how they are feeling?  What can you do to help them realize what or how they feel?  Many times they may have no idea.  

Why is it important for the client to know what/how they are feeling?  

Let's have a great discussion!

Instructor Lane