PSYCHOLOGY ELECTIVE 3

ETHICAL ISSUES IN
COUNSELLING
Acero, Leander Gabriel A.
Borrel, Fran Charm R.
ISSUES IN COUNSELLING
• Obtain Informed Consent
• Confidentiality and Privacy
• Dual Relationships
• Boundary Issues
• Competence
• Cultural Sensitivity
• Online Counselling Challenges
• Record Keeping
• Termination of Counselling
• Handling Emergencies
WHY IS ETHICS IMPORTANT IN
COUNSELLING?

Ethics in counseling are the bedrock of the

therapeutic relationship, ensuring a
framework of trust and safety between the
counselor and the client. The counselor's
ethical commitment lays down the
foundational principles of confidentiality,
respect, and professionalism, which are
crucial for creating an environment where
clients feel secure opening up and sharing
their deepest concerns.
 WHAT HAPPENS IF WE
BREAK THESE ETHICAL
CONSIDERATIONS?

These violations can lead to negative outcomes,

not least of which is the loss of licensure for the
counselor involved. This can also lead to
lawsuits or other legal actions that can further
erode a mental health professional's career and
personal life. The impact on the mental health
professional's reputation can be profound and
far-reaching.
 OBTAIN INFORMED CONSENT
Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical practice in
counseling, ensuring that clients understand the nature,
risks, benefits, and limits of confidentiality in the
therapeutic process. This principle supports the client's
autonomy by providing them with all the necessary
information to make an educated decision about their
treatment.
 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY

Confidentiality is counselor’s ethical and legal duty to

protect their client's privacy by not disclosing information
without consent. However, ethical dilemmas may arise
when confidentiality must be breached, such as when
there is a risk of harm to the client or others or as
mandated by law.
 DUAL RELATIONSHIPS

Dual relationships occur when a counselor and a client

share another significant relationship, be it personal,
financial, social, or sexual relationships beyond the
professional one. These relationships can compromise the
counselor's objectivity, potentially harming the client and
the therapeutic process.
 BOUNDARY ISSUES

Boundary issues in counseling involve establishing clear

lines between professional and personal relationships to
prevent conflicts of interest and protect the therapeutic
environment. Counselors must maintain professional and
ethical boundaries and avoid situations that could lead to
inappropriate emotional, social, or physical involvement
with a client.
 COMPETENCE

Competence refers to the counselor's ability to provide

services based on their education, training, and
professional experience. Ethical and professional
standards require counselors to practice within their
competence and continually update their skills through
professional development.
 CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
Cultural sensitivity is critical in counseling to ensure
respectful and effective treatment across diverse client
backgrounds. Counselors must understand and honor their
clients' cultural values, beliefs, and practices, adapting
their therapeutic approaches to meet each client's unique
needs.
 ONLINE COUNSELLING CHALLENGES

Online counseling has grown significantly, offering

accessibility and convenience but introducing new ethical
challenges, particularly regarding privacy and security.
Compared to counseling done face to face, there are now
more aspects to consider. Ethical guidelines emphasize the
importance of ensuring secure communication channels,
obtaining informed consent specific to online therapy, and
being aware of the limitations and appropriateness of
online counseling for each client.
 RECORD KEEPING

Accurate and secure record-keeping is essential in

counseling to maintain continuity of care, document the
therapeutic process, and ensure compliance with legal and
ethical standards in practicing counseling well.
Counselors face ethical challenges in protecting client
records, such as progress notes and confidential
information, from unauthorized access while ensuring
they are available for legitimate clinical needs. Our ethical
framework provides standards for record retention,
disposal, and confidentiality.
 TERMINATION OF COUNSELLING

Ethically terminating the counseling relationship requires

careful consideration of the client's well-being and
readiness for termination. Counselors must avoid
abandoning the client, providing appropriate referrals if
necessary, and discussing the termination process openly,
allowing for closure.
 HANDLING EMERGENCIES
Counselors must be prepared to handle emergencies,
including suicidal ideation or self-harm, with a clear plan
that respects ethical principles and legal obligations to
protect the client. This involves assessing risk, involving
emergency services when necessary, and considering the
implications of involuntary treatment or hospitalization.
 Ethics

thank
you