Caption:
Ethics-European Commission
URL: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/ethics
As we continue to develop into professional counselors, we
will run across clients that we are not well suited for. It is important that
we are aware of our own skill set in order to best assist the client. At times,
we will come to the realization that it is in the best interest of the client
for he or she to seek another professional because some clinicians excel in different
areas than others (Meir & Davis, 2011). For example, a counselor who is
seeing a client that is of a different culture or religion might be wise to
send him or her to a professional that shares similar values. The client that practices
a different religion might request that certain spiritual interventions be
applied in session. It the counselor cannot fulfill this need, he or she should
refer the client out. However, with that, the clinician should still continue
in his or her pursuit of knowledge of the subject at hand, so he or she can
assist future clients. The American Counseling Association (2014) requires that the counselors promote
the welfare of clients and avoid harming their clients. So, the counselor needs
to be aware of the potential benefits and harm that could arise from being
unqualified or uninformed. With that, counselors must also exercise
multicultural sensitivity and avoid imposing their own values on the client in
order to avoid such harm (Tan, 2007). It is crucial that counselors continue to
possess self-awareness throughout their professional careers. This awareness
allows for proper handling of certain ethical dilemmas, such as the use of
referrals.
American Counseling Association (2014). Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA. Author.
Meir, S., & Davis, S.
(2011). Elements of Counseling. 7th
edition. Belmont, CA: Brooks
Cole. Cengage.
Tan, S.Y., (2007). Use of prayer and Scripture in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 26, 101-111.
Hey Tyler, great post very thorough! So true that as counselors while will try to have as many areas of competencies as we can it is inevitable that we will run into counselees who would be better suited being referred out. As counselors we should strive to do what is best for our counselee and this post gives a couple of key examples of when those situations may arise.
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