Respond to 3 classmates 150 words

The ethical standards that guide the field of Human Services were adopted by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education in 1996. These ethical standards are designed to assist human service professionals and educators in making ethical and professional decisions, and also inform the nature of their relationships with clients and fellow human service professionals (National Organization for Human Services). These ethical standards are similar to those developed for other related fields such as the Code of Ethics developed by the American Counseling Association (American Counseling Association, 2014). While the ethical standards for human service professionals may not be identical to those in other professional disciplines, they have close similarities with the standards developed by organizations such as the Academy of Criminal Justice, American Psychological Association, National Board of Social Workers, and others (National Organization for Human Services). Therefore, it is imperative for human service professionals to have a strong grasp of the ethical standards required by their professional communities.

The ethical standards have a strong emphasis of treating clients with care based on respect, acceptance, client dignity and welfare. There are many verses in Scripture that teach us how to treat other people; for example, Philippians 2:3-5 tells us, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus...” (NASB). We are to humble ourselves as we serve in this capacity, and consider the needs and dignity of others as important as our own.

In addition, integrity is an all-encompassing component in relationships with clients and professional behavior of human service professionals. Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body,” and verse 29 continues with this theme of speaking truth: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen,” (NIV). According to both ethical standards and Scripture, we are accountable for words that we speak.

Another aspect of ethical standards which is repeated throughout Scripture is the value of self-awareness as we seek to assist others. We must know ourselves, our values and our flaws as well. Matthew 7:3-5 says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye,” (NIV). This is a critical concept: how will I exhort others to follow the difficult roads of self-awareness, healing, and conflict resolution, if I myself have never done so?  However, seeking perfection in ourselves in not a helpful goal, but seeing clearly because we have removed the obstacles that hinder our insight is.

One contrast between ethical standards and Biblical teaching is the concept of dual relationships, which are strongly discouraged by all counseling fields. This ethical standard restricts any relationships (if at all possible) outside the professional realm, including friendships or social relationships. Although I do not advocate breaking this ethical standard, because it is taken very seriously, I do not believe it to be Scriptural. According to Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,” (NASB); God created us to be in relationship with and learn from one another. He did not say that we must keep at arms’ length those to whom we offer counsel; in fact, Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” (NASB). In my opinion, we are meant to live in counseling and advising relationships with one another that are based on the word of God.