1. Ch 15 The Counsellors Professional Ethics

2. Introduction

Every profession has in some form or other aCode of Ethics

Profession of psychologists- a more recent one

US -> American Psychological Association hasEthical Standards of Psychologists

Purpose of this chapter-> to formulate guiding principles of the Profession of Psychologists 3. Meaning of Professional Ethics

A systematized body ofmoral principlesthat guide or determine thecounsellors behaviorin his relationships to the counselee, to the counselee's relatives, to his referring agency, and to society in general

Professional Ethics ->Valuesthat determine the counsellors behavior

4. Values

Standards of behavior determined by the society

Eg. Good manners, traditions such as wedding reception, etc.

Differ according to races, castes, etc.

Change under influence of modern ideas

Social Values

Based on dictates of right reason- ones conscience

Innate knowledge of what is right & wrong

Apply to all men

Are objective & unchangeable

Eg. love parents, not to steal/tell lies

Based on enduring nature of human being

Moral Values

Based on particular faith & vary according to the tenets of that faith

Eg. Hindus value Vedas, Jains avoid killing of animals, Parsis value their fire temples, etc.

Religious Values 5. The Counseling Profession

Aims athelping individualswith their personal problems

These problems often involveethical issues(eg. Real life case)

Values influence both the goals of counseling & the methods & techniques used to reach those goals

The psychologists ethical standards & his professional techniques are inseparable- American Psychological Associations code of ethics

6. Counselors relationships 7. 1. Counselors relationship to the Counselee

Counselor must respect the values of the counselee

• Can suggest to change her social values (not the moral or religious values)

B) Counselor must keep secret the counselee's confidential material

• May not reveal info to anyone without securing her permission

• Exceptions:Suicide or crime or for the good of the counselee (unsound mind), welfare of others

C) Test results must be interpreted to the counselee in a manner likely to be constructive in her efforts to solve her problem

8. 2. Counselors relationship to the Profession

Counselor must maintain high standards of work, not just aim at expedience or temporary success

• Unethical to offer services outside his area of training & experience or beyond the boundary of his competence (must refer to a competent person)

• Should not work only for money

B) Should try to rectify the malpractices of other counselors

• Should not criticize counselors who use other methods

C) Counselor should not accept for counseling a person who already receiving it from someone else

9. 3. Counselors relationship to referring bodies

It is courtesy to inform the referring person or agency that the counselee kept the appointment and is continuing counseling or has been referred to another agency

No confidential info should be imparted to them

10. 4. Counselors relationship to himself

Right to private life and to relaxation

May not accept phone calls after certain hour

Must leave the problems of the counselee in the office

Should not encourage dependency

Should realize that he is not expected to help each and every counselee

11. Counselors influence on the counselee

Counselor is not to teach a system of values or philosophy of life (task of parents/ priests)

Can impress his system of values influence more by what he does than by what he says

Should not condone the unethical course of behavior of the counselee- express implications of such actions but should respect her freedom of choice

12. Conclusion

Counselor should have his own system of values or philosophy of life

Act according to the above with the counselee

Must not impose his views

Respect her freedom of choice and her values

13. Thank you