ETHICAL REACTION PAPER
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Ethical Reaction Paper
Madison Barthel
COUC 502
March 28th, 2021
ETHICAL REACTION PAPER
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Ethical Reaction Paper
Summarization
Before the revision of the ACA Code of Ethics in 2014, there was a controversial debate
whether it was an ethical decision to refer a client to other sources based on personal value
indifferences. The ACA Code of Ethics does not permit a counselor to impose their values on a
client or discriminate against a client due to their sexual orientation, gender, race, age, religion,
or socioeconomic status. The ACA Code of Ethics 2005 states that a counselor may refer clients
to other sources if they cannot be of professional assistance to the client. There was a variety of
interpretations of this particular code. Some counselors interpreted this code as saying that if the
counselor is not professionally competent to help the client, they may refer out to keep the
client's best interest. Some counselors believe that if a client's background went against the
counselor's values, they could refer the client. (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014)
Since 2014 it has been established that a counselor may not refer a client to other sources
based on the indifference of personal values. Meaning counselors are only to refer a client if and
only when the counselor has determined that they are not professionally competent to deal with
the impending situation. (Counseling Today, 2014) Counselors and counselors in training are
encouraged to use the technique of ethical bracketing, or also known as EB. Ethical bracketing is
when counselors can set aside their values to provide ethical and appropriate services for all
clients. (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014) EB is broken up into steps that a counselor may utilize when
they encounter clients who push their values and boundaries. Ethical bracketing begins when
counselors take a personal inventory and self-reflect on why they believe their value is so strong.
Counselors are encouraged to refer to the appropriate code of ethics and professional literature to
understand the proper behaviors. Counselors are then advised to seek a supervisor and
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consultation with colleagues to help navigate the client's best interest. And finally, depending on
the nature of the value, counselors are encouraged to pursue counseling to help them better
understand future practices. (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014)
Along with using Ethical Bracketing while working with clients who possess a different
way of thinking, counselors can also turn away from the mindset of "us versus them," in the
sense that we are all human. (Sells & Hagedorm 2016) Sells and Hagedorm describe Christians
as having the mindset that they can exclude people because they do not agree with something.
They go on to describe exclusion as evil and that counselors should work towards having an
inclusive mindset. Having this mindset would mean accepting people for how they are. (Sells &
Hagedorm 2016) Christian counselors especially are encouraged to adopt the thought that we are
all humans and all have differences. Counselors are not there to judge their clients but rather help
them in their time of need. Counselors have an ethical duty to provide the same equal care to all
clients who come to them for services; therefore, referring a client just because the counselor
does not agree with the client's background or values is unethical. Furthermore, referring a client
can lead to harm to the client and feelings of abandonment. A counselor must always have the
client's best interest at their top priority. Counselors in training are encouraged to take a personal
inventory of their values and determine whether their values could hinder their counseling
practices. Ultimately at the end of the day, the client needs to be the top priority of the counseling
session.
Personal Reflection
After reading and reflecting on the three different articles, I realized that counselors must
be aware of their values, morals, and biases. It is essential for counselors to understand
themselves and what values they possess to understand what strengths and weaknesses they need
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to work on before working with clients. I have learned of the importance of a counselor being
aware of themselves to practice appropriately and not impose their clients' values.
Personally, I like the ACA's position of not referring a client solely based on a value
difference, primarily due to this to me, which seems like discrimination to do so. It reminds me
of history class and reading about African Americans using the colored bathroom and going to
the colored school. When a counselor refers a client due to not agreeing with the client's
background or values, it can be perceived as discrimination. It is saddening to know that
counselors have been rejected by counselors, mainly because that person has already made
themselves vulnerable by seeking counseling. Counselors are supposed to be a safe place for
individuals, not a place to receive discrimination and prejudices for simply being themselves.
Counselors knowingly go into a career path where they understand that they may encounter a
client who has a different worldview. Counselors need to keep an open and accepting mindset in
all counseling sessions and with every client.
Although I usually consider myself an accepting and judge-free person, I reviewed the
list of clients' scenarios. I determined that I might have some difficulties overcoming my values
to appropriately and effectively help a client. As a Christian, I do carry deep religious values that
I hold dear to me. It is a sin to commit adultery within a marriage; therefore, I might struggle to
handle a client trying to process their extramarital affair emotions. Another client type I might
struggle with is when the client is convicted of domestic violence or sex crimes. As a woman,
who does not agree with men harming women, I may find it difficult to empathize with that
client. I do not necessarily believe I would ever intentionally hurt clients with any of the listed
scenarios; however, I think I would have difficulty setting aside my morals and values to
empathize with those individuals. After doing this portion of the project, I think that my naive
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bubble burst. I realized that no matter how much knowledge I gain, I will not be an effective
counselor until I learn how to put my values aside to counsel ethically and appropriately.
My Action Plan
Just like with all things in life, practice is what makes us better at tasks. I feel like
counseling is not exempt from this statement. Over the years in counseling, I will refine my skills
and be a better counselor than the day I started. Therefore, I believe it is fair to say it is essential
to take the role of counseling seriously and take pride in my work. I think this means taking on
the challenging tasks at hand and taking a personal inventory of myself and all of my values. I
can start doing this now to be aware of my values and how to navigate complex scenarios when I
am a practicing counselor. I think that maintaining cultural humility is vital while working with
clients of all different worldviews and backgrounds. Everybody is different, so keeping an open
mindset and remaining willing to learn is important because it allows the counselor to learn from
the client and the situation.
I am currently a substance abuse counselor where I work with women who are battling
the disease of addiction. Before starting this job, I did not believe my values would ever harm
another person or me. However, I have been faced with many situations where my values were
one hundred percent against the client's worldview. These are the clients who, although I find
myself frustrated at times, learn the most from these clients because I take the time to listen.
These are the clients who teach me how to help the next client who comes into my office. I
believe that I will utilize ethical bracketing when I do encounter clients with different
worldviews. I will take the time to understand the value being violated and grasp why it is
bothering me. I think utilizing the code of ethics and literature when encountering a challenging
client is important because it can help the counselor have a roadmap on assisting the client.
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Consulting with my colleagues and a supervisor is a good plan because this will allow me to gain
wisdom from others who may have had similar experiences. There have been times already that I
have had to reach out to my clinical supervisor and fellow counselors and ask for advice when
dealing with different scenarios. When I reach out and ask for help, I can be given a different
perspective to the situation I am being faced with. And depending on the severity of the problem,
I believe I would seek personal counseling to help me better under my values and myself.
Conclusion
Counselors have an ethical responsibility to provide the same equal services to all clients
who seek counseling. With that being said, counselors may refer a client if they have determined
that they are not professionally competent. (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014) Counselors are not permitted
to refer clients because the counselor's values conflict with the client's values or scenario. (Sells
& Hagedorm, 2016). Instead, counselors are encouraged to utilize ethical bracketing to set aside
their values during counseling sessions. Ethical bracketing allows counselors to put aside their
own biases and remain open-minded and empathize with the client. (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014)
When a counselor enables his or her values to impose a counseling session, the counselor could
affect the ethical values of autonomy, veracity, fidelity, and justice that are supposed to be
withheld in every session. Counselors should adapt to the mindset that we all are different and
come from various backgrounds, but we are all human. (Sells & Hagedorm, 2016) Due to the
ethical standards a counselor is required to uphold, it is also important to remember the goal at
the end of the day is to help the client.
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References
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.
