Running head: REACTION PAPER
1
Benchmark Reaction Paper Assignment
Ashley Gutshall
Liberty University
COUC 501
Reaction Paper
2
Benchmark Reaction Paper Assignment
Summarize
The CACREP holds a mission to assure that all programs are preparing their students to
uphold the ethical standards and in accordance with the ACA Code of Ethics. All institutions
seeking CACREP accreditation will be required to undergo an intense scrutiny. During this time,
the institutions will provide evidence on how they meet each required accreditation standard
(Sells & Hagedorn, 2016). All programs are required to show evidence on how they provide their
students with diverse clients. According to the CACREP, all students must be exposed to studies
that provide them with trends in multicultural society, cultural context of relationships, and
issues (Sells & Hagedorn, 2016). In faith-based intuitions, students may be required to sign a
statement of faith or statement of personal conduct. The statements represent the desire to live
with personal standards that reflect their belief system. Institutions have the opportunity to create
their statement as they wish. Students have the opportunity to choose the intuitions they would
like to attend and are encouraged to review the mission statement. The mission statement will
give students an insight of the programs conducts and expectations. Although programs are able
to create their mission statement as they wish, the program could be denied accreditation if the
mission statement shows violation of constitution protected civil liberties (Sells & Hagedorn,
2016). The CACREP-accredited programs require all faith-based program students to
demonstrate the ability to work with all clients no matter their belief system.
In past cases, counselors have refused to work with those from the LGBT community or
same sex relationships. Counselors who have religious beliefs felt that counseling those from this
community would interpret their personal ethical standards. Counselors who felt that this would
interpret their ethical standards began to refer clients. By referring this community, counselors
Reaction Paper
3
were practicing discrimination based on sexual orientation. The ACA Code of Ethics states that
counselors have the right to refer clients based on lack of competence but this cannot apply to an
entire class of clients such as the LGBT community. Based on the ACA Code of Ethics,
counselors are to have the ability to be self-aware, sensitivity, gain knowledge, and practice skills
working with all diverse populations (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014).
As counselors, we are to be self-aware with our personal identity. At the same time, we
are not to force our own beliefs and values onto our clients. This is known as ethical bracketing.
Ethical bracketing is the separation of the counselor’s personal values from their professional
values. This is important for all counselors to practice due to the ethical standards we are to
practice (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014). In the article interview, the interview asks if it was fair that
counselors are to put their clients needs before their own. The interviewee responded, counselors
are to practice bracketing and it is a skill that all counselors need to learn. The interviewee states,
bracketing represents that the counselor is aware of themselves and the client in front of them
(Martz & Kaplan, 2014). When the time comes that a counselor is faced with a dilemma, the
counselor is to follow the ethical bracketing steps. The steps include immersion, education,
consultation, supervision, and personal counseling (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014).
In the field of counseling, there are many models that are designed to help counselors
with their values and personal identities. The model that is my personal favorite is the CVCM
model. This model was designed to help counselors when faced with value-based conflict. The
value-based conflict can be between clients, supervisee, students, or themselves. This model
represents five steps for counselors to follow. The first step is to determine the nature of the
value-based conflict. The conflict can be with the counselor’s morals, culture, lack of training,
expertise, religion, personal values, life experience, lack of skills, or beliefs. Once the counselor
Reaction Paper
4
has determined if the conflict is due to personal or professional conflict, they can proceed to step
two. Step two is for the counselor to explore the core issues and potential barriers to provide care
to the client. The third step is for the counselor to seek assistance for providing appropriate
standards for care. During this step, counselors are encouraged to seek consultation with their
supervisor, professional literatures, ethical-making models, consult with colleagues, and view the
code of ethics. The fourth step is to evaluate and determine the course of action. During the
fourth step, if the situation has not been resolved then the client can consider referring the client.
Before referring the client, the counselor will determine if the dilemma is so strong it will not be
solved and ensure. During this time, the counselor should develop a remediation plan. The
remediation plan includes attending workshops to continue their education, seek additional
supervision, rereading and studying professional literature, and when to return to working with
this client population. Lastly, the counselor will consider if their action will promote the welfare
of the client (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014). The second model that will benefit counselors is the
acculturation model. The acculturation model can be used to help students prepare to combine
their own personal identities and culture with the professional identities and cultures to counsel.
John Berry had four strategies to adjust to a new culture. The first strategy is separation which is
when the subgroup does not comply with the expectations of the dominant society and becomes
separated from the dominant group. Next is assimilation, this is the surrender of their culture and
interact with the dominant culture. The third strategy is marginalization, which represents those
who do not identify with their culture or new culture. The fourth strategy is integration and this
represents diversity being accepted as a whole (Sells & Hagedorn, 2016).
Reflect
Reaction Paper
5
Once reading the three articles assigned this week, I realized that I was unaware of many
things in the field of counseling. When I decided that I wanted to further my education in the
field of counseling I never considered how my personal beliefs and values could affect my future
clients. After reading the articles, I reflected on how many individuals in many different fields
have to practice bracketing. Secondly, I learned that faith-based programs will be held to the
same standards as other institutions by the CACREP. Although, the institutional mission
statement and program mission statement can be different. The CACREP is interest in viewing
the program mission statement. The purpose is to ensure that each institution is actively
preparing their students to work in a multicultural society (Sells & Hagedorn, 2016). Lastly, I
learned the details of the counselor values-based conflict model (CVCM). In my opinion, this
information was the most valuable in the readings this week. The counselor values-based conflict
model was designed to help counselors when they are faced with any value-based conflicts. This
can include value-based conflicts with their supervisee, student, and client (Kocet & Herlihy,
2014). I can see myself using this model in my future as a Mental Health Counselor.
The American Counseling Association in 2014 made changes to the ACA Code of Ethics
in regards to value differences. The changes stated that counselors’ religious values and beliefs
could not be used as justification to referring a client to a counselor with similar values and
beliefs (Sells & Hagedorn, 2016). I personally agree with the ACA Code of Ethics changes in
2014. I agree with the changes considering as future counselors we are taught to bracket our
personal values and beliefs. In the interview reading this week, the interviewee states that
counselors are to set aside their beliefs for the sake of the client but this does not mean we lose
them. The interviewee also speaks on the importance of counselors being self-aware and the
impact you will have on the client sitting across from you (Martz & Kaplan, 2014). With that
Reaction Paper
6
being said, I truly believe that as humans we are all different and God places us in each other’s
path for a reason. The bible verse Matthew 7:2 states, “For the same way you judge others, you
will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Bible Gateway, 2011).
I personally live through this verse and remind myself of it daily. I would not want to be the
client and a counselor turned me away because of my relationship with God.
After reviewing the population list, there are a few cases that I could experience
professional dilemmas. I live my life by trying my best to not judge others such as race, religion,
age, gender, or sexual identity. With that being said, the personal and profession dilemmas I
could experience from the population list is those who hurt others such as rap, physical and
mental abuse. I have been a victim of this kind of pain and I feel I would have a hard time
treating a client who has done this to another individual. The dilemma I could face is my
immediate reaction to referring the client.
Act
When reading the articles this week, I immediately knew that I had to make changes
within myself and my professional way of thinking. First, I will practice bracketing in my future
career as a counselor. By practicing bracketing, I will separate my personal values and beliefs
from my professional values (Sells & Hagedorn, 2016). Bracketing will benefit my clients in my
future by not imposing my values and beliefs onto my client and damaging the therapeutic
relationship. Secondly, I would like to practice ethical bracketing. By taking the five steps of the
ethical bracketing process, I will have self-awareness, education of the professional code of
ethics, proper supervision, and knowledge of my personal counseling process (Kocet & Herlihy).
Next, I would like to practice the Christian embrace and counseling social justice. As a counselor
in training, I have begun my first step to uphold my religious beliefs by attending an institution
Reaction Paper
7
with professors who share the same theological system as myself. I would like to embrace every
aspect of the training I am receiving in my program. By embracing the program, I would like to
make a change by listening to my peers and their different thoughts on topics. I believe by
listening to my peer’s thoughts that are different from my own, I will be preparing myself for
future clients who do not think like myself. Lastly, an action I will take with the information I
have learned this week is my usage of the CVCM. This model will encourage me to not make
rational decisions when faced with conflict.
In my future as a counselor, I will face personal or professional dilemmas. When faced
with a dilemma in my future career, I will result back to the ethical bracketing process. My first
step would be to self-reflect. If self-reflection is not successful, I will proceed to consult with a
supervisor for insight. When supervision is not a success, I will proceed with my own personal
counseling process. If faced with a dilemma that I cannot solve without my own personal
counseling, I will need to consider continuing educational classes. I believe if faced with a
dilemma the best option is to fix the problem within myself, therefore the next similar dilemma I
face will not have the same results.
Reaction Paper
8
Reference
Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Bible Gateway Online. Retrieved
from: www.biblegateway.com
Kocet and Herlihy’s article on values based ethical decisions: Kocet, M. M., & Herlihy, B. J.
(2014). Addressing value‐based conflicts within the counseling relationship: A decision‐
making model. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 180-186.
The American Counseling Association’s (ACA) position on referrals: Martz, E., & Kaplan, D.
(2014). New responsibilities when making referrals. Counseling Today, 57(4), 24-25.
Sells, J. N., & Hagedorn, W. B. (2016). CACREP accreditation, ethics, and the affirmation of
both religious and sexual identities: A response to Smith and Okech. Journal of
Counseling & Development, 94(3), 265-279.
