1
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION
Attitudes and Beliefs Reflection: Part One
Charity A. Morton
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Author Note
.I have no known conflict of interest to disclose
. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
:Email
2
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION
Abstract
As counselors, it is imperative to have self-awareness of one’s own beliefs, biases, and values.
Doing so helps the counselor work efficiently with multiple clients from diverse backgrounds
and help the clients rather than hurt them. Taking the Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory revealed
specific scenarios such as counseling a man convicted of rape, pedophilia, and a man who
engages in internet sex as a creative expression arouses intense, negative emotions and were the
most difficult to answer. It was hard to feel compassionate towards the individuals in these
scenarios and want to help them. However, becoming aware of them allows me to increase my
self-awareness and learn how to set aside those feelings during a session where I may be
counseling a client dealing with a situation that goes against my personal beliefs or values. By
setting aside my values, I am not striving to change what I believe or be hypocritical, but I am
remembering to put the client first and their needs as an individual. Lastly, I can take actionable
steps such as researching and learning more about these individuals, exercising humility, going
to counseling, and working towards compassion for them by viewing them as humans and God’s
creation.
Keywords: beliefs, values, self-awareness
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 3
Attitudes and Beliefs Reflection: Part One
Experiences, upbringing, and the people individuals surround themselves with formulate
values and beliefs. Counselors are to ensure they are not pushing personal values and beliefs on
clients as this may cause them to feel judged and change their minds about seeking help
(American Counseling Association, 2014, Section A.4.b.) There will be a variety of clients from
different backgrounds who may hold different values and beliefs that differ from the counselor.
Regardless, the counselor should be competent and set aside their personal views to help the
client. Through regular self-awareness, reflection, and gaining knowledge and skills of different
groups and cultures, counselors can grow professionally and avoid imposing their beliefs on the
client (Remley & Herlihy, 2020). Addressing situations that may cause anger or intense emotions
within the counselor increases self-awareness and allows them to develop more skills to help
deal with those scenarios. The three scenarios that made me uncomfortable and upset were the
man convicted of rape, the pedophile, and the man who believes internet sex is a creative outlet.
This paper will explore my feelings and responses toward the three scenarios and actionable
steps I will take to grow as a competent counselor and grow in specific areas.
Scenario One
The first scenario is a man recently released from jail after serving a rape sentence.
Reaction
My initial reaction was anger, and thinking of this scenario upset me. In a way, thinking
about helping those individuals feels like betraying my close friends who have gone through that
experience. I felt confused as to why I should help someone who committed such an awful action
or why they experience freedom out of jail after what they did to another person. I find this
counseling scenario challenging because of my life experiences and seeing the effects of rape on
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 4
others around me. I also felt shame because of my lack of compassion for these individuals and
because I thought they should all rot in jail because of what they did. I find this challenging
because I have strong negative feelings towards rapists, and I believe rape is wrong, but I also
know that as a Christian, I am to love like Christ to everyone, despite what they have done. This
scenario contradicted how I know I should act as a Christian and how I feel toward these
individuals. I would feel an inner war while sitting across an individual who raped someone
because while I understand I should help them and that people are capable of change and turning
their lives around, I would also feel anger and question why they deserve a second chance after
what they did or doubt everything that they say about turning their life around or if they are
sincerely sorry. On the other hand, I understand it is not my role to convict or be the Holy Spirit.
I believe sex is supposed to be between a married couple, and being sexually pure is essential. In
addition, consent is a crucial topic for me; I believe rape is more about control and power rather
than sex, and this scenario contradicts that belief, and individuals that commit this action are
taking away what God created as good and are perverting it to be something sinful.
Response
I grew up hearing stories of rape increasing in prevalence, and my parents engrained into
my head to not trust anybody, even pastors, because, at the time, many stories were coming out
about it happening in the church. I learned to live in fear of this happening, and it made me upset
that I had to live my life in fear because individuals could not take no for an answer. Because of
how common it became, as I grew up hearing the stories, I got increasingly angry each time, and
it fueled my anger and contempt towards these individuals. Nobody had to teach me to feel anger
towards rapists, but experience and knowing those around me experienced it as well encouraged
the thoughts about how because rapists raped an individual, they should be left in jail, put to
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 5
death, or have a horrible rest of their life. As I got older, I made my faith my own and recognized
that no sin is worse than another; sin is sin. I also realized that regardless of what another person
has done, they are still human beings God created and loves, and I should love them. I need to
hate the sin, not the sinner. This issue is sadly highly prevalent, and because of my experiences
and upbringing, I would struggle to counsel an individual convicted of rape.
Action
Because of how upset and angry this scenario makes me feel, I know this is an area I
need to work extra hard on to ensure I do not impose my personal beliefs onto the client. I need
to start by uncovering more reactions and emotions that I feel towards these individuals and how
that shows up on my face or in my tone. I want to dive deeper into understanding the why behind
rapists’ actions and gain knowledge about them and other possible mental health disorders they
struggle with. I acknowledge it is wrong for me to think that they should rot in jail and have
contempt towards them, so I want to continuously work on this area so I can move from
understanding that what I am doing is wrong to the action of having more compassion toward
these individuals and understanding that despite their crimes, they are still humans. I believe that
exposing myself to articles or interviews will aid in helping me understand rapists, and; instead
of avoiding the topic and staying in my anger and hatred towards them, I can instead
acknowledge my feelings and work towards feeling compassion and willing to help them. I also
need to understand that individuals can turn their lives around and that it is a blessing if I can
help them do that. By constantly reminding myself of my sin and how God forgave me for all the
sins I committed and will commit in the future, it becomes easier to have a heart to help
individuals who have raped.
Scenario Two
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 6
In this scenario, I am counseling a man who was convicted of pedophilia and is seeing
me for court-ordered counseling.
Reaction
This scenario made me feel uncomfortable and disgusted because I have a passion for
helping and counseling children, and I believe pedophilia is wrong and sinful. It is hard to
comprehend how someone could feel that way towards an innocent child. Similar to the previous
scenario, an immediate reaction to this scenario was that he should go to prison for life. I felt sad
imagining the possibility of needing to work with an individual convicted of pedophilia,
especially with my experience as a kindergarten teacher. While trying to answer the question, I
could not fathom an individual doing that to the children I have taught and grown to love in the
past; it broke my heart. In addition, the fact that the counseling is possibly court-ordered made it
more difficult for me to answer because, at times, individuals in court-ordered counseling do not
even want to get better. In my mind, I feel as if I would get more upset with the individual
because of their lack of care for what they did wrong. Jesus saw children as important and
special at a time when adults thought of children as unimportant. Pedophilia is exploiting
children. I would find it hard to sit in a room and counsel an individual who committed that act,
especially when Jesus specifically had the children brought to Him and prayed for them.
Children are valuable and should receive respect, which is not a common belief. Often, people
give the excuse that they do not need to respect children because they are young, but I disagree.
Response
Through my experience as a teacher and by advocating for children’s mental health, I
developed a heart for children and a desire to help them understand their big feelings. Because of
this, knowing that there are people in the world who are pedophiles makes me uncomfortable. I
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 7
remember first hearing about pedophiles when I was younger and being confused as to how
someone could feel that way towards children. It made me develop strong negative feelings
towards them, especially with my work in children’s ministry and as a teacher. Hearing my
parents and other adults describe pedophiles as “sickos” or “creeps” as I grew up influenced by
beliefs. I understand now that while I may see it as a disgusting action, some individuals want
help but are afraid. In addition, growing up watching television and seeing media portray
pedophiles in a specific way makes me feel as if there are stigmas surrounding pedophilia that
are stopping pedophiles from seeking help. There is no debate on the fact that many people agree
that talking about pedophilia is uncomfortable, but parents, other adults, and the media teach
children the harsh language used to describe pedophiles and individuals struggling with
pedophilia, which causes stigma. Because of this, it is challenging for me to want to help these
individuals and treat them with compassion and love.
Action
Because I understand how the topic makes me feel, I can work on it professionally by
gaining knowledge on what pedophilia is and its overlap with child molesters because, although
it is an uncomfortable topic that upsets me, I do not know much about it. Learning more about
pedophilia will help me exercise compassion towards these individuals. It is easy to label
specific sins as “big sins,” but sin is sin, and lying to my parents is a sin on the same level. I
should utilize humility and realize that I am not better than individuals who commit “big sins”
because I am a sinner who needs Jesus like the rest of the world. It is easy to judge other's sins,
but looking at my sins helps remind me to be humble because I also sin.
Scenario Three
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 8
The final scenario is counseling a man who believes internet sex is a creative way to
express sexuality.
Reaction
When answering this question, I immediately felt uncomfortable and related it to porn. In
my mind, the two are similar, and my advocation for stopping human trafficking makes it
difficult for me to imagine myself wanting to counsel a man who believes this is not an issue
because of what I know about how many individuals forced to perform in those videos are
victims of human trafficking. This scenario would be challenging for me because the man
believes it is a creative way to express sexuality, meaning he does not see it as an issue and likely
does not want to fix it. I feel as if counseling him week by week, knowing what he is doing,
would make me uncomfortable and helpless because I cannot make him stop if he does not want
to. In addition, I feel as if it would be challenging because I relate internet sex to pornography. I
understand how it feels to have your partner engage in that and how it makes you feel worthless.
I believe pornography is wrong and sex is sacred between a husband and wife, and whether
internet sex is pornography or not, engaging in it can lead to pornography. In today’s day and
age, sex with anyone is normalized and not seen as a problem, but I disagree. To counsel an
individual who believes there is nothing wrong with internet sex or pornography would be
challenging and require hard work to ensure I do not impart my personal beliefs to the client.
Response
Being raised in a Christian home and attending a Christian school my whole life, I
learned to view the world through a biblical lens. I grew up knowing that sex is between a
husband and wife. It was not until I grew up and questioned that statement that I realized the
mental, physical, and emotional effects sex outside of marriage can have on someone. In
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 9
addition, growing up in a time where pornography is prevalent, I learned about the harmful
effects of pornography. Experience with a partner who engaged in pornography also shaped my
beliefs and values. Because I never want another individual in a relationship to feel small and
compare themselves to people on a screen as I did, I hold fast to the belief of pornography being
wrong, and it is hurtful to not only the person watching it but to that individual's partner.
Action
I believe part of the reason I am passionate about stopping pornography and internet sex
is because I think I still have bitterness towards my partner for watching it. It is an aspect I did
not realize until recently, and because I feel so strongly about it, I know I will need to work
through personal feelings around this issue. I think by going to counseling, I can help sort
through my feelings around this issue and learn to forgive and stop being bitter. It is an
experience I am afraid to do, but it is something I need and want to do so I can effectively work
with clients.
Conclusion
Because counselors are not to impose their beliefs and values onto clients, self-awareness
and reflection are essential. Upbringing and experiences affect my values, and by becoming
aware of them, I can learn to better work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and
struggles. By taking this inventory, I have more awareness of what situations make me
uncomfortable or cause emotional reactions. These feelings are not bad, but in counseling
settings, I need to take actionable steps to ensure I do not impose my beliefs onto my clients or
make them feel judged and unsafe.
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 10
References
American Counseling Association. (2014).GACA code of ethics.
https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2020). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling (6th
ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.
You
can
view
and
edit
your
response
Attitudes
&
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Inventory
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8th
ed.
Belmont,
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ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 11
Appendix A
9/6/23,
5:10
PM
personal
gain.
A
gay
or
lesbian
couple
wanting
to
work
on
conflicts
in
their
relationship.
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who
wants
to
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his
wife
and
children
for
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sake
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sexual
adventures
with
other
women,
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woman
who
has
decided
to
leave
her
husband
and
children
to
gain
independence
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woman
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Attitudes
&
Beliefs
Inventory
Vary
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Very
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indifferent
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teenager
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unsafe
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and
sees
no
problem
with
the
behavior,
A
high
school
student
who
is
sant
to
you
by
his
parents
because
they
suspect
he
is
using
drugs.
A
person
who
is
very
cerebral
and
is
convinced
that
feelings
are
a
private
matter.
A man
who
believes
the
best
way
to
discipline
his
children
is
through
spanking.
An
interracial
couple
coming
for
premarital
counseling.
A
high
school
student
who
believes
she
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&
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a
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her
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each
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indicate
how
comfortable
you
would
be
working
with
this
population
or
problem.
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child.
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way
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the
systern
and
getting
more
than
his
fegai
share
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public
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with
her
husband
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an
extramarital
affair.
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who
believes
internet
sex
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a
creative
way
to
express
sexuality.
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convicted
of
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ordered
for
counseling.
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of
domestic
violence,
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woman
whose
chikiren
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&
Beliefs
Inventory
Vary
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with
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who
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alt
treatment
to
hasten
his
death.
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woman
who
believes
in ari
egalitarian
marriage.
64
4
Bae
Bah
3.
Grouping
1:
Place
the
following
scenarios
in
the
order
with
the
top
representing
the
most
uncomfortable.
*
Of
A
man
who
wants
to
leave
his
wife
and
children
for
the
sake
of
sexual
adventures
with
other
women,
(E}
2
A
wornan
who
has
decided
to
leave
her
husband
and
children
to
gain
independence.
(D}
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Attitudes
&
Beliefs
Inventory
3
A
woman
who
has
decided
to
get
an
abortion
but
wants
to
process
her
feelings
around
it.
(©
A
person
who
shows
fittle
conscience
development,
is
strictly
interested
in
his/her
own
axivancement,
and
uses
others
for
personal
gain.
(H}
&
high
schoo!
student
who
is
sent
to
you
by
his
parents
because
they
suspect
he
is
using
drugs.
CA}
&
A
teenager
who
is
having
unsafe
sex
and
sees
no
problem
with
the
behavior
(B}
?
A
gay
or
lesbian
couple
wanting
to
work
on
conflicts
in
their
relationship.
(F}
8
A
person
with
fundamentalist
religious
beliefs.
(G)
G
A
woman
who
says
that
if
she
could
turn
her
life
over
to
Christ
she
would
find
peace.
(D
4.
Grouping
2:
Place
the
follawing
scenarios
in
the
order
with
the
top
representing
the
most
uncomfortable.
*
©
Sos
batt
i
Aman
who
believes
internet
sex can
be
a
creative
way
to
express
sexuality,
}
A
woman
who
comes
with
her
husband
for
couples
counseling
while
maintaining
an
extramarital
affair.
(K}
A
rnan
who
has
found
a
way
of
cheating
the
system
and
getting
more
than
his
legal
share
of
public
assistance.
(L)}
A
high
schooi
student
who
believes
she
is
a
kesbian
and wants
te
discuss
haw
to
“come
out”
to
her
parents.
(N)
A
man
who
believes
the
best
way
to
discipline
his
children
is
through
spanking.
(P)
ar
&
A
person
who
is
very
cerebrai
and
is
convinced
that
feelings
are
a
private
matter.
(9)
?
A-gay
or
lesblan
couple
wanting
to
adapt
a
child.
(M}
8
An
interracial
couple
corning
for
premarital
counseling
(O}
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.office.com/Pages/ResponseDetailPage
aspx
?id=jiH4ugKzZUSpk0oSyXJRsmEcs
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Attitudes
&
Beliefs
Inventory
3.
Grouping
3:
Place
the
following
scenarios
in
the
order
with
the
top
representing
the
most
uncomfortable.
{3
i
Aman
recently
released
from
jail
after
serving
a
sentence
for
rape.
(T)
2
Aman
convicted
of
pedophilia
and
court-ordered
for
counseling.
OO
3.
Aman
convicted
of
domestic
violence.
(V3
4
A
couple
who
believe
that
sex
with
multisle
partners
is
okay.
(Y}
A
man
with
terminal
cancer
who
wants
to
discuss
stopping
all
treatment
to
hasten
his
death.
(5)
6
A
woran
who
makes
her
living
as
an
exotic
dancer.
(W)
7?
A
woran
whose
children
have
been
rermoved
by
Child
Protective
Services.
(U3
8
A
woman
who
believes
in
an
egalitarian
marriage.
{R)}
&,
Review
your
ranking
on
the
last
3
groupings.
List
the top
3
fram
each
group
(9
totad
in
order
of
most
uncomfortable
to
least
uncomfortable.
*
{%
i,
Aman
recently
released
fram
jail
after
serving
a
sentence
for
rape
2.
Arnan
convicted
of
pedophilia
and
court-ordered
for
counseling
3.
Aman
who
believes
internet
sex
can
be
a
creative
way
to
express
sexuality
4,
Aman
who
wants
to
leave
his
wife
and
children
for
the
sake
of
sexual
adventures
with
other
women
5.
Aman
convicted
of
domestic
viclence
6.
A
woman
who
comes
with
her
husband
for
couples
counseling
while
maintaining
an
extramarital
affair
7.
A
woman
who
has
decided
to
leave
her
husband
and
children
to
gain
independence
&.
A
worman
who
has
decided
to
get
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8/9
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 18
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS REFLECTION: PART ONE 19
9/6/23, 5:10 PM
Attitudes & Btlttft Invt t tory
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9/9
What three scenarios bring about the strongest negative/uncomfortable reaction?
*
7.
A man recently released from jail after serving a sentence for rape, a man convicted
of pedophilia and court-ordered for counseling, and a man who believes internet sex
can be a creative way to express sexuality.
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