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Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory
Shareeka Hodnett
Liberty University
COUC501: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling (D17)
Dr. Angela Charlton
July 3, 2022
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Abstract
Everyone has their own beliefs and values, which are very important for a professional
counselor. It is extremely important for me as a professional counselor to identify what my
beliefs and values are as I continue to learn and grow in this field. They direct and control the
decisions I make in addition to the behavior I display. My beliefs and values also assist me in
the way I look at people and situations. My values and beliefs define and form who I am as a
person. Over time and after experiencing different challenges in life my beliefs and values have
shifted. I believe that a person’s beliefs and values will continue to change throughout life.
Everyone has their own set of beliefs and values, but no matter what they are they all still
deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I may not agree with them, however, I have come
to realize that everyone has a different and unique background. Everyone makes their own
choices in life and will have to live with them. During the course of life, we all will make
mistakes, but the goal is to learn from them. While some people won’t ever change, it is
important that I keep an open mind and not judge the person.
Keywords: values, beliefs, dignity.
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Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory
All counselors have their own values and beliefs. In order for me to become the best
counselor I can be I must understand that every individual has their own. My distinctive
approach which is based on my beliefs and values in addition to the study of theories assists me
in approaching my clients in a way that is comfortable and not threatening or judgmental. This
approach will allow me to build good quality and encouraging bonds with each of my clients. If
I can recognize my own beliefs and values then I can recognize that clients have their own set of
beliefs and values as well, this will assist me greatly in building a foundation and positive
relationship with them. I will respect my client’s beliefs and values even if I don’t agree with
them. My main goal is to always and, in every circumstance, remain non-bias toward clients. I
will also refrain from judging their belief and values as well. I want to make sure my belief and
values always are displayed positively, as they will guide my actions and how I behave with the
client. I will keep an open mind by supporting the client and respecting their values and beliefs.
I have done an inventory of different questions and have selected the questions that I had the
strongest reaction to. The three questions were divided up into three sections reaction, response,
and action, and will be supported.
Convicted of Pedophilia
When completing the Attitudes & Beliefs Inventory, the first question that had the strongest
reaction was the person who was convicted of pedophilia and was court-ordered to attend
counseling. This particular situation stuck out for many reasons which will be explained through
my reaction, response, and action.
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Reaction
This question wasn’t difficult for me to answer, however, my reaction to it was strong. It
was strong because I have not grasped the concept or reasoning why someone would commit
such as act on a child. Granted research has been conducted that stated that pedophiles have
been victims themselves. According to Sawle & Kear-Colwell (2001) pedophiles that have
been convicted of sexual abuse have alleged that they were sexually abused as a child (Sawle &
Kear-Colwell 2001). According to Cantor & Fedoroff (2018), there has been little to no
evidence that suggests that pedophiles actually change using interventions. It has been suggested
through evidence that there has been invalid reach conducted, errors in judgment, denial in
statistical theories, and comparing oneself (Cantor & Fedoroff 2018).
I don’t believe that everyone who has been victimized displays the say actions. I do
believe that if the victim never got help or has suffered mentally, this may be a reason for their
actions, but not an excuse. At some point in their life other than being mentally unstable, they
would and should know that those acts on children are not morally right and unacceptable.
It would be biased of me to think that once someone has committed the act that they will
always be a pedophile and that no sort of counseling would ever help them. I would think that
the individual probably would continue to commit this crime until they are caught. I also believe
that the person would have the desire to want to change. I could look at them in pure disgust or
recognize that they are in counseling and that is the first step which would be admitting that they
have a problem and that it is wrong.
Response
I learned from an early age that being a pedophile and molestation was not right. I am a
victim myself who was molested from the age of 2 years old to 7 years old by family members.
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My family has never addressed the issue and swept it under the rug during and after the acts took
place. He had girlfriends but his attraction was to children. I was not the only one, but I was the
one who spoke up. It took me to seek help that I needed to process and understand that it was not
my fault. I also learned through the Bible and counseling that harboring hateful feelings toward
the family members only hindered my peace. Even though I was a victim I have never thought
of committing such an act on anyone. I know the hurt I experienced and the lack of support I
received from family members. I was even told it was my fault, but I know now that they hurt
people themselves and didn’t know how to help me heal because they weren’t.
Action
I would consider continuing to work personally and professionally around this issue. I
guess I would like to know more about why people commit these acts. Why are they attracted to
children and not individuals their age? Why do some act on these urges? I have so many
questions. I would also like to continue working on myself as I continue to learn, grow, and
forgive. I wouldn’t make any excuses for them because having that frame of mind is unethical
and just morally wrong. I do believe the more of an understanding I get will aid me in the right
direction of being a successful counselor.
Released After Serving Jail Time for Rape
A man recently released from jail after serving time for rape can be looked at in several
different ways. Either way, it is but it’s still wrong, however, I believe that each situation should
be closely examined. I would say some counselors already form their opinion as soon as the
word “rape” is seen on the paperwork. I will state below my reaction, my response, and the
actions I need to take if any.
Reaction
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My reaction to a man recently released from jail after serving time for rape would be
what type of rape was it and what’s the probability of him committing the act again now that he
is free. I believe in this situation many techniques can be used. Now if it was a violent rape
where someone was severally hurt or a serial rapist, I believe that counseling someone like that
may alarm me. It may have something to do with my past and frighten me.
According to Schippers& Smid (2021), it has been said that over a 10-year period sex
offenders are more than likely to be discharged from some sort of treatment program. It was also
said that after committing the crime it’s mandatory that they seek some sort of mental health
assistance (Schippers& Smid 2021). The question I would ask myself is, what are my
expectations and what kind of clients do I tend to take on. There are so many walks of life. A
person who has committed a crime like this would need some sort of counseling. Response
I also learned at a very young age that rape was an act that should never be committed. I
believe that no one should be forced to do anything they don’t want to do. In addition, they
shouldn’t be targets because of where they worked or how they dressed. I often wonder if there
is some sort of void if the offender’s life that they are trying to fill by hurting others. Also, adult
men dating children has always been an inappropriate thing to do. However, in today’s society,
people walk around bragging about being with an underage child. I believe that these offended
are unstable mentally and the enemy is deceiving them.
Action
The action I need to take is the be able to assist the client and not feel frightened or out of
place. I need to get some sort of comfort in the presents of a pers like this. I would also continue
educating myself on how I can succeed through my trauma. I can’t allow my judgment and or
my feeling to dictate the way I live and help my clients.
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A Man with Terminal Cancer and Wants to Stop Treatment
I have many outlooks on a person with a terminal illness that wants to stop treatment. On one
hand, I believe that each person has a life and that they are entitled to make the best decisions for
them. However, because I believe in God, I don’t believe that it is our choice. I believe that
when God says he’s ready for us to leave this earth he will take us away. I will provide my
reaction, response, and actions to support my thoughts.
Reaction
It’s hard not to insert my beliefs in this case. I would absolutely hate for a person to want
to take their life and not wait on God’s divine plan for them. He can make mircouls happen, but
sometimes we have to wait. I understand that the person may be in pain, but God created us so
it’s his job to let us know when we have served our purpose. I don’t believe that we should even
have a choice. He is the creator, not us, and not our parents.
According to Chuang, Gazaway, Thompson, White-Hammond, & Elk, (2022) medication for
terminally ill patients has been criticized harshly. Communication and education are something
that should be used when dealing with not only patients but their family and friends as well.
This could assist the patient with adequate care and comfort (Chuang, Gazaway, Thompson,
White-Hammond, & Elk, 2022). Not everyone believes in medication, and some have religious
beliefs, in which medication doesn’t support their faith.
According to Kobayashi, Tsuchiyama Taga, Tokunaga, Ito, Yokoyama (2021) a
substantial amount of individuals post-cancer treatment had higher survival rates. Individuals
whose cancer treatment was terminated had a significantly higher home death rate. It was also
stated that cancer treatment caused a lot of pain and sickness. No evidence supported that
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Individuals who chose the end-of-life treatment delayed or improved the patient or the care they
reviewed (Kobayashi, Tsuchiyama Taga, Tokunaga, Ito, Yokoyama 2021).
Response
I have my belief in God in this situation. As stated previously I don’t believe that we
should make that choice. I also believe that when we have served HIS purpose he will come to
get us. I just think people are short-changing themselves, however, I cannot fathom the pain that
they are enduring daily. Nothing that we go through will be in vain, and if we just hold on just a
little bit longer, he will decide for us. At the end of the day, everyone has to make a decision, I
just hope and pray that it is one that God is happy with.
Action
The action I would take is maybe looking into hospice, I know that you can volunteer for
that program. I would like to educate myself more and get the opinions of others that are going
through such an illness. I would like to know if they have just given up, or just feel like they
can’t endure the pain any longer. I have to be careful not to place my relationship with God on
my clients and respect their opinion. It’s hard because you can see something in them that they
may have not seen.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, I have taken the Attitude & Belief Inventory checklist. I have identified 3
questions that stuck out the most to me or gave me a reaction, a man convicted of pedophilia, a
man who served time for rape, and a man with a terminal illness that wants to stop treatment. I
realized how easy it was to place my beliefs and values on others, and how one could become
biased. This will not help the client out in any way. This paper allowed me to do things that I
need to continue working on, in addition to seeking more education for understanding.
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References
Cantor, J.M., Fedoroff, J.P. Can Pedophiles Change? Response to Opening Arguments and
Conclusions.GCurr Sex Health RepG10,%213–220 (2018). https://doi-
org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1007/s11930-018-0167-0
Chuang, Gazaway, S., Thompson, M., White-Hammond, G., & Elk, R. (2022). When We Label
Goals of Care as “Aggressive”: Moving Away from Unintended Harms Towards
Respecting Faith, Hope, and Miracles in African American Christians at End-of-Life
(TH122). Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 63(5), 786–787.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.02.210
Kobayashi H, Tsuchiyama K, Taga M, Tokunaga T, Ito H, Yokoyama O. Impact of self-decision
to stop cancer treatment on advanced genitourinary cancer patients. Medicine
(Baltimore). 2021 Apr 9;100(14):e25397. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000025397. PMID:
33832133; PMCID: PMC8036094.
Sawle, G. A., & Kear-Colwell, J. (2001). Adult Attachment Style and Pedophilia: A
Developmental Perspective. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative
Criminology, 45(1), 32–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X01451003
Schippers, E. E., & Smid, W. J. (2021). Exploring Hostility Toward Women in High-Risk
Rapists: The Relevance of Ambivalence and Relational Experience. Sexual Abuse, 33(7),
747–768. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063220946039
