Counselling Ethics Overview

The protection and secrecy of information shared within a counselling relationship, ensuring that private thoughts, feelings, and desires are kept confidential.

A client's initial hesitation to fully disclose information, often due to a lack of trust or fear of being judged.

The process of building trust and rapport with a client, allowing them to feel safe to share their experiences.

Information disclosed by a client that indicates potential harm to themselves or others, requiring a breach of confidentiality to ensure safety.

When a client expresses intent to cause physical harm to themselves or another individual.

When a client reveals information about the abuse of a child, requiring reporting to relevant child protection authorities.

When a client expresses suicidal thoughts or tendencies, requiring immediate intervention and support.

When a client experiences severe mental illness and requires professional evaluation and treatment.

The emotional response a client has towards their counselor, often stemming from past relationships with parents or significant figures in their childhood.

The bond between a client and their counselor, crucial for creating a safe and trusting environment for exploration and healing.

Clients seeking help often come with preexisting emotional stress and may have struggled for a long time.

Clients' perception of counselors as experts can create unrealistic expectations, which may potentially hinder their progress if not addressed.

The counselor's awareness of the client's potentially unrealistic expectations is essential for guiding them towards self-reliance.

Allowing clients to explore their challenges and consider solutions empowers them to take control of their lives.

Counseling involves helping clients understand their issues and develop strategies for change.

Trust, respect, and a safe space are crucial elements for a successful counseling relationship.

Providing clients with clear and comprehensive information before embarking on counselling.

Outlining the financial terms of counselling, including fees, payment methods, and any special arrangements for low-income clients.

A written agreement between a therapist and a client that outlines the goals, methods, and boundaries of therapy.

The process of a counsellor discussing their case with a more experienced professional for feedback and ethical guidance.

Understanding the counsellor’s theoretical approach to therapy, including their training and specialized methods.

Clear details about the duration and frequency of counselling sessions, and how many sessions are likely to be needed.

Actions that may exploit or compromise the client-therapist relationship and violate ethical boundaries.

Unconscious emotional reactions of a therapist toward a client, often stemming from the therapist's own unresolved issues.

Intense emotional reactions that are not directly related to the client's situation, but rather to the therapist's personal experiences or unresolved issues.

The potential for a therapist to abuse their power in the therapeutic relationship, often through sexual or financial means.

Taking care of a therapist's own emotional needs and well-being outside of the therapeutic relationship.

The power imbalance inherrent in the therapeutic relationship, where the therapist holds more power than the client.

Therapists can unintentionally exploit clients by not properly recognizing and managing their personal issues.

Counsellors can monitor their own countertransference feelings by self-reflecting on their feelings and the nature of their interventions.

A history of facing legal trouble related to alcohol or drug use.

A family history of alcohol or drug abuse, meaning that family members have struggled with these problems.

Having a mental health condition like schizophrenia, or having a family history of mental illness.

A family history of suicide, suggesting a potential risk for suicide in the individual.

Experiencing physical or emotional violence or sexual abuse within the family or elsewhere.

Experiencing conflict or negative treatment due to one's sexual orientation.

Being bullied, which can lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and even suicidal thoughts.

Feeling alone, isolated, or experiencing the loss of a close relationship.

Clients may be hesitant to refer themselves due to past experiences of rejection or feeling that their problems are too overwhelming.

Referral should happen early in the process, ensuring the client receives the most appropriate support. It allows the client to feel heard and involved in the decision.

A counsellor needs to consider if their expertise, time, theoretical orientation, knowledge, confidentiality, relationship with the client, or location are suitable for their client's needs.

These are situations where a client is a danger to themselves or others. For example, threats of suicide or violence.

Counsellors should be aware of and follow specific guidelines for handling situations where a client's confidentiality may need to be breached to ensure safety.

Counsellors should prioritize the client's well-being and consider their emotional needs in crisis situations.

Moving away, needing specialized support, requiring specific skills, or experiencing issues related to adoption, disability, or language barriers may necessitate referral.

Open and honest communication with clients about the referral process, including their feelings and concerns, is crucial.