COUNSELOR BELIEFS 1
Counselor Values and Beliefs Reflection Paper
Angela Jenner
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
COUNSELOR BELIEFS 2
Abstract
In this reflection paper, I explore the significance of recognizing and reconciling personal values
within the context of the counseling profession, as stipulated by the American Counseling
Association's Code of Ethics. The paper delves into my reactions to three challenging scenarios
presented in the Attitudes & Beliefs Inventory and the subsequent examination of how these
reactions are rooted in my values, beliefs, and experiences. The first scenario, involving a man
contemplating leaving his family for sexual adventures, triggers residual emotions from a past
abusive marriage. My deeply held value of monogamy conflicts with the client's situation,
prompting me to address the need for continued healing and forgiveness from my past. The
second scenario, centered around manipulation for personal gain, contrasts with my upbringing's
emphasis on altruism and selflessness. This incongruence highlights the importance of self-care
and setting boundaries in the helping profession. The third scenario, concerning counseling a
convicted pedophile, unearths a protective stance grounded in my history of childhood sexual
abuse and religious values. Addressing this requires confronting my biases, seeking supervision,
and exploring countertransference. Through scholarly articles, I identify strategies for personal
growth, including self-reflection, self-compassion, and consultation with colleagues.
Acknowledging these unique challenges underscores my commitment to continuous self-
improvement and ethical practice, reinforcing the essence of the counseling profession's
dedication to client welfare and professional development.
Keywords: personal values, counseling, ethical beliefs, professional deevelopment
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Counselor Values and Beliefs Reflection Paper
The counselor’s path to self-awareness and introspection is crucial since it equips them to
handle ethically and successfully complicated circumstances. To avoid imposing them on
customers and maintain the notion of respecting client variety, it is crucial to know and
comprehend one’s values. Three items in the Attitudes and Views Inventory struck a chord with
respondents, prompting feelings and insights highlighting the complex relationship between a
person’s views and the counseling process. The responses I received to these inquiries forced me
to examine my professional philosophy and opened new avenues for personal development. By
delving into these responses and the values that motivate them, we not only highlight the
importance of understanding personal values within the counseling context but also emphasize
the never-ending process of self-discovery and development necessary for ethical and effective
counseling practice. Considering the American Counseling Association’s 2014 Code of Ethics,
this reflective paper aims to investigate the significance of values and how they influence
counseling relationships.
Reaction
Three items on the Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory caused me significant internal conflict
and self-examination. These inquiries are powerful reminders of the tangled web that connect my
core beliefs with the obstacles they may provide in my future counseling career. The three
questions from this inventory that caused the strongest negative reaction for me were: “A person
who shows little conscience development, is strictly interested in his/her own advancement, and
uses others for personal gain.”, “A man who wants to leave his wife and children for the sake of
sexual adventures with other women,” and lastly “A man convicted of pedophilia and court-
ordered for counseling.
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This first question that I had a reaction to: A man who wants to leave his wife and
children for sexual adventures with other women. This is a very poignant subject because of my
experience with an abusive, cheating marriage. As I considered counseling someone going
through a similar situation, the feelings of betrayal and emotional suffering I had experienced
came flooding back. My early feelings of wrath and discomfort betrayed the intensity of my
emotional response. My upbringing and my beliefs have ingrained in me the virtue of monogamy
inside marriage, and this circumstance goes against that. My gut response may compromise my
capacity to help a client through such a difficult time while being objective and empathic.
The second question was: A person who shows little conscience development, is strictly
interested in their advancement, and uses others for personal gain. This inquiry sowed discord by
doubting my commitment to selflessness and compassion. My parents always instilled in me the
value of putting the needs of others first and lending a hand whenever I could. Therefore, the
idea of people taking advantage of other people for their benefit created a sense of moral outrage.
This extreme response may make it harder for me to grasp the nuances of my client’s reasons
when they engage in similar actions. My predisposition to pass judgment on such behavior may
compromise my capacity to establish a therapeutic partnership based on empathy and
unconditional positive regard.
The last question causing a strong negative reaction was: A man convicted of pedophilia
and court-ordered for counseling. My experience with sexual assault as a youngster, along with
my strong religious convictions, made this subject more meaningful to me. Because of my strong
feelings about protecting children, the idea of counseling a convicted pedophile caused an
extremely negative reaction within myself. My gut response is based on my life experiences and
the moral and ethical ideals I’ve been raised with. This emotional reaction may impair my ability
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to provide this client with impartial and non-judgmental therapy, jeopardizing their right to a safe
and helpful therapeutic process.
These inquiries help me see how my values and views could impede providing effective
therapy. The first scenario directly opposes my commitment to monogamy. It threatens my
capacity to provide unbiased counsel to clients considering major lifestyle changes in defiance of
my morals. This disagreement may make it difficult for me to be objective and create a platform
for discovery and choice.
The second example highlights the struggle I have overcome between my naturally
generous nature and the necessity to establish firm limits with my clients. My predisposition to
pass judgment on those who take advantage of others might compromise my capacity to provide
nonjudgmental help, impeding rapport development and therapeutic advancement.
The third example shows how difficult it may be to put aside strongly held prejudices to
do my job well. My emotional reaction, which stems from prior trauma and religious convictions
may compromise my capacity to remain objective while dealing with a client convicted of
pedophilia. My inner turmoil with this value set might jeopardize the therapeutic alliance and the
client’s chances of recovery. The first step in developing self-awareness and assuring ethical and
successful therapy in all three cases is to recognize the restrictions imposed by my principles.
These introspections highlight the need for regular self-reflection, monitoring, and
continual education to lessen the influence of one’s values on counseling. Client autonomy,
respect, and diversity are fundamental to the counseling profession. Although my beliefs offer a
moral compass, I must confront the prejudices they may cause to preserve these principles.,
Response
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The Attitudes & Views Inventory questions revealed competing values and views deep in
my childhood, family relationships, and personal experiences. My emotional reactions and
probable difficulties in therapy are better understood after delving into the origins of these
divergent ideals.
My values are largely the product of my upbringing in a devout, apostolic household. My
religious upbringing instilled in me the importance of monogamy within marriage because of the
volume placed on faithfulness and commitment. Seeing my parents and grandparents’ dedication
to one another served as a powerful example of the need for a strong commitment to one another,
and this lesson stuck with me.
The second principle, which is to put the needs of others before one’s own, develops best
in a loving and accepting home. My parent’s insistence that I learn the value of helping and
treating others respectfully shaped my upbringing. Religions that stressed the importance of
kindness and charity also contributed to the spread of this ethos.
The residue of an abusive marriage still clouds my emotional responses. My first
response to the idea of a guy abandoning his family for sexual escapades is rooted in the
emotional wounds left by the infidelity that defined that period of my life. When I’m in a similar
circumstance, the hurt and rage I felt then comes flooding back, and I feel an overwhelming need
to defend marriage.
The rigid upbringing I received heavily influenced my emotional reaction to situations
that test the idea of selflessness. Because of my parents’ example of selfless service, I tend to put
the needs of others ahead of my own. Unfortunately, my dedication has sometimes caused me to
put others’ needs ahead of mine, making me more judgmental of those who abuse others for their
advantage.
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My history heavily influences my attitude to the situation with the convicted pedophile as
a victim of sexual abuse in childhood. As a result of the trauma I endured, I developed a strong
desire to ensure the safety of children. Because of my scars, I find it difficult to approach therapy
with an unbiased and objective viewpoint in situations like these.
Action
To become a more effective and ethical counselor, I must first recognize the tensions
between my principles and my experiences. I need both individual and organizational efforts to
resolve these problems. By reflecting on my own biases and learning from other counselors’
experiences, I can better mitigate the negative effects of these disagreements on my job. Regular
introspection will allow me to see how and when my values are tested and make more informed
decisions about how to respond (Bennett-Levy, 2019)). If I know what sets off my emotional
reactions, I may train myself to respond in therapy settings rather than react.
Seeking the advice of knowledgeable licensed mental health counselors approved to be
supervisors. Regular supervision check ins will help me become more self-aware of my
prejudices and open my mind to other perspectives, improving my capacity to deal with various
clients and situations (Watson & Schmidt, 2020).
It is crucial to actively seek ongoing education in diversity, cultural competency, and
ethics. According to (Oramis, 2017), keeping up with current best practices and research helps
me deal with difficulties and conflicts arising from my own beliefs.
Reading academic publications that speak to my own experiences is helpful in my quest
to resolve internal conflicts caused by my ideals. My dedication to resolving internal struggles
and accepting external constraints that may impact my counseling work perfectly aligns with the
call to self-advocacy. I can better represent my client’s interests by investing time and energy
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into improving myself via activities like personal counseling and self-awareness (Moe & Thimm,
2021).
Managing value-based conflicts within the counseling relationship may be difficult but easy
when one prepares for it. The proposed framework provides a methodical means of identifying
implicit biases and minimizing their effect on customer interactions (Grunhaus et al., 2018).
Having this framework as part of my professional toolset will allow me to deal with issues
arising from my values effectively. My goal is to make moral decisions that are best for my
clients, so the focus on knowledge hits home with me.
Value bracketing is another tool that I may use to ensure that my personal values do not
cause harm to my clients.,,To protect the client from counselor bias and maintain a therapeutic
alliance that focuses on the client’s needs and reasons for seeking counseling rather than my
personal beliefs (McWhorter, 2019).
Seeking treatment for oneself is consistent with professional advocacy. I can better help
my clients with honesty and compassion if I first work through my issues. Managing value-based
conflicts may be accomplished with the help of Kocet and Herlihy’s decision-making model.
Recognizing constantly shifting ethical issues highlights the need for lifelong learning,. By
incorporating these realizations into my self-work, I am taking a more comprehensive approach
to dealing with my beliefs and ensuring that my therapy is successful and ethical (Moe &
Thimm, 2021).
Conclusion
Through this reflective process, I have learned how much my values shape my approach
to counseling. These beliefs, which stem from my upbringing and life experiences, can provoke
strong responses and hinder my becoming an objective and helpful counselor. This insight is
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crucial because it highlights the intricate link between a counselor’s beliefs and the counseling
process.
Besides being crucial for the wellbeing of my prospective clients, addressing these
challenges is essential for the ethical and impartial practice of counseling. I must face and control
my prejudices and emotional reactions to fulfill my promise to offer a welcoming, accepting,
compassionate environment. Embracing a path of professional development that influences
quality of service, I can deliver is possible only by being honest about my shortcomings and
actively exploring advancement.
I will use the knowledge I gain through scholarly research, personal counseling,
supervisors to navigate the maze of ethical practice for future clients. My unyielding goal is to
build a counseling practice that fully values its varied clientele, adheres to the highest ethical
standards, and always adapts to serve its clients better.
,
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References
Bennett-Levy, J. (2019). Why therapists should walk the talk: The theoretical and empirical case
for personal practice in therapist training and professional development. Journal of
Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 62, 133–145.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.08.004
Grunhaus, C., Tuazdon, V, Gonzalez, E., & Wagner, N. (2018). A Counselor Education Case
Study: The Counselor Values-Based Conflict Model in Action. Counseling and Values,
63(2), 164–179. https://doi.org//10.1002/cvj.12086
McWhorter, M. (2019). Balancing Value Bracketing with the Integration of Moral Values in
Psychotherapy: Evaluation of a Clinical Practice from the Perspective of Catholic Moral
Theology. Linacre Q, 86, 207–224.
Moe, F. D., & Thimm, J. (2021). Personal therapy and the personal therapist. Nordic Psychology,
73(1), 3–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/19012276.2020.1762713
Oramis, J. (2017). Counseling Ethics: Overview of challenges, responsibilities, and
recommended practices. Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 9(3), 47–58.
Watson, J., & Schmidt, M. (2020). Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling:
Contemporary Issues. SAGE Publications, Inc.
