ETHICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 2
Ethical Analysis Paper
In this paper I will discuss the dimensions of family therapy as it relates to ethical
practices. I will discuss whether counseling is value free, how my values will affect my practice,
the values needed to build a therapeutic alliance, and the code of ethics I will use to maintain
accountability. I will discuss a Christian worldview throughout the discourse.
Counseling and Values Exchange
The question of whether counseling is value free has been a long-debated issue. In the
past, the field of psychology considered religious values inappropriate to the profession of
counselor. I would argue that counseling can never be completely value free for the Christian
counselor. According to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics (2014) the
basis of the guiding principals of ethical behavior is founded on the values of autonomy,
nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity. These guiding principles are to
ensure clients the dignity to choose the life they wish to lead and the values they wish to hold.
This means counselors must be cautious to limit their influence over clients. They must allow
counselees to determine the meaning of their well-being without inflicting a values exchange
where the client assimilates the counselor’s values. Bayne (2020) says while some have
suggested that the use of empathy and bracketing may help the counselor ethically engage the
client when there is a values conflict, the power of a counselor’s religious convictions or
religiosity may overrule empathy. This does not allow the Christian counselor an excuse to act
without ethical considerations. Instead, it requires the Christian counselor to be keenly aware of
the biases and prejudices he or she has. It also suggests that the power of the relationship and the
therapeutic alliance between a client and the counselor is a sacred trust and must be protected.
How Values Affect Practice
ETHICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 3
My values inform my decision to work in a church as a pastoral Christian counselor. A
Christian counselor recognizes the influence of Christ on every facet of life. According to
Hawkins (2015) the ethical work of the Christian counselor includes the reality that one is
attending to Jesus when one counsels a client (Matthew 25:40) and the ultimate purpose of Jesus
is to bring redemption and new creation to humanity, including family systems. This is
important to me as I consider how I will work with families. The Christian counselor recognizes
that one’s relationship to God is directly correlated to one’s relationship with others (Matthew
22:26-40). This reality will affect every practice and decision. The American Association of
Christian Counselors (AACC 2023) explains that the basis for truth and revelation is Jesus Christ
and the Bible. All truth is ultimately God’s truth and thus the created order can reveal wisdom;
this includes psychological theory and practice. These values will be expressed when working
with clients and informed consent will be established before endeavoring to help.
According to Yarhouse and Sells (2017) the family is the most likely structure where
people will mature and grow in Christlikeness. Understanding how to work inside this system is
part of God’s providence. By finding out what is dysfunctional and setting a course for change,
the Christian counselor can participate in the redemptive work of God.
The first value I tend to gravitate toward in family therapy is the truth that God made
marriage for relationship that is grounded in a commitment to loyal love (Matthew 19:6).
Marriage is the reflection of the image of God, and he desires that marriages remain unbroken
(Genesis 1:27; 2:24). If a couple did not hold this same value, I could counsel this couple, yet I
would fully disclose the scripture as the authority by which I practice. I would also allow them
the dignity of choice and work to help them meet the goals they have determined for their
relationship whether that means staying together or not.
ETHICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 4
Values Needed to Build Therapeutic Alliance
The Christian counselor should allow their client the dignity and autonomy of their own
decisions and must maintain appropriate ethical boundaries. The values needed to foster this
alliance include integrity and authenticity. According to the AACC (2023) the client must be
offered the opportunity to make an informed decision whether to receive help from the Christian
counselor according to informed consent. This includes the structure and pace of counseling,
appropriate goals, expectations, confidentiality and its limits, the use of spiritual practices, fees,
and other considerations. The integrity of the counselor is highly regarded to maintain an
appropriate relationship to the client to build a therapeutic alliance. If the counselor and client
differ too widely in values, it is imperative the counselor clarify the issues involved and foster
the client’s self-determination. In the case of unresolved conflict in values, the counselor may
need to make a referral to remain authentic in his or her approach.
American Association of Christian Counselors
The code of ethics I will use to inform my practice is the American Association of
Christian Counselors (AACC). God is the ultimate Counselor, the one who brings new life and
healing to his creation, and it is by his design and purpose that humans find their best lives. This
is the reason I will implement the AACC (2023) Code of Ethics into my practice. It values a
Judeo-Christian worldview and seeks to free clients to live their best lives in Christ. It
encourages client autonomy and self-determination, but it holds to scripture as the final authority
for human flourishing. According to the AACC when there is a values conflict between a
counselor and a client, the counselor can seek to encourage biblically prescribed behaviors, but
ultimately it is the client who determines the goals and course for their counseling. The
Christian counselor will seek to do good and do no harm abiding by the leading of the Holy
ETHICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 5
Spirit and the scriptures for guidance. When a values conflict arises that necessitates a referral,
the counselor will make certain care is taken to follow through on making sure the client receives
the services he or she needs.
Conclusion
In this paper, I considered how counseling is not a value free practice for the Christian
counselor even when using empathy to enter a client’s experience. I illuminated the importance
of counselor self-reflection and discipline to maintain the highest measure of ethics and to
establish a relationship with the client that honors the dignity and goals of the clients counseled. I
shared a counselor must exhibit the values of integrity and authenticity to create a therapeutic
alliance, and I also explained the code of ethics I will use to remain accountable to maintain
ethical behaviors.
ETHICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 6
References
2014 ACA Code of ethics. American Counseling Association. (2014).
https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-
code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=55ab73d0_1/
Y-2023 code of Ethics. The American Association of Christian Counselors. (2023).
https://aacc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AACC_Code-of-Ethics-2023_FINAL.pdf
Bayne, H. B., Conley, A. H., & Colburn, A. N. (2020). Counselor Empathy; Religiosity; and
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Perspectives. Counseling and Values., 65(1), 57–74.
https://doi.org/10.1002/cvj.12122
Hawkins, R. (2015). The New Christian Counselor. Harvest House Publishers.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780736943550
New International Bible. (1984). International Bible Society. (Original work published 1973).
Yarhouse, M. A., & Sells, J. N. (2017). Family Therapies (2nd ed.). InterVarsity Press.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780830889051
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