6.3 Contemporary Issues

Value Differences and Termination

Counselors sometimes encounter clients whose values or beliefs may differ from their own. Professional ethics mandate that counselors remain nonjudgmental, affirming, and respectful of the client’s worldview, ensuring that personal values do not interfere with the therapeutic process. Termination based solely on a values difference can harm the client and violate ethical standards, including those outlined by ethical codes. When a counselor’s values present a barrier to providing competent care, the priority must remain on the client’s welfare. Engaging in consultation or supervision is essential to address any personal discomfort or bias that may arise. The counselor must take responsibility for working towards knowledge and competence in serving a specific population if deficits exist. If it becomes evident that the counselor’s ability to provide adequate support is compromised due to a lack of competence, a carefully managed referral process should be initiated.

Referring a client should never be an immediate or reactionary decision. Counselors must find a provider who can better meet the client’s needs without imposing harm. The process requires transparency and collaboration, involving open discussions with the client about their goals and preferences to ensure a smooth transition to another professional. Ethical practice also requires documenting the rationale for referral and the steps taken to uphold the client’s best interests. Ultimately, the counselor’s role is to prioritize the therapeutic alliance while addressing challenges to competence or value alignment with professionalism and care. This approach fosters trust and ensures clients receive the support necessary for their growth and wellbeing.

Responding to Prejudicial Beliefs in Counseling

Counselors work to create a safe and nonjudgmental environment for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. However, this responsibility can become particularly challenging when clients express prejudicial beliefs during counseling sessions. Ethical bracketing, as described earlier in this text, is the intentional process of setting aside one’s values, beliefs, or biases to provide ethical and effective counseling, and can help counselors navigate these moments. This skill is foundational in adhering to the ethical principles outlined in ethical codes.

When clients express prejudicial beliefs, counselors must listen actively and acknowledge the client’s perspective without affirming the prejudice. Demonstrating empathy and understanding of the client’s lived experiences can help build rapport and trust. For example, a counselor might say, “It sounds like this belief is important to you and may be tied to your personal experiences. Can you tell me more about that?” Acknowledgment does not equate to agreement but signals a willingness to explore the client’s worldview.

Prejudicial statements can evoke strong emotional reactions in counselors. Counselors can intentionally set aside personal values to focus on the client’s therapeutic needs. This approach requires self-awareness and emotional regulation, often supported by mindfulness practices or supervision outside sessions. Additionally, exploring the underlying factors that contribute to prejudicial beliefs is essential. These beliefs often stem from fear, misinformation, or personal experiences. A counselor can guide the client in examining these influences through open-ended questions and reflective statements, such as, “I’m curious about what experiences have shaped this perspective for you. How has this belief impacted your relationships or feelings about yourself?”

Counselors can also help clients examine how prejudicial beliefs align with their values and goals. This process fosters self-awareness and growth by encouraging clients to reflect on the impact of their beliefs on their relationships and life objectives. For example, a counselor might ask, “Have you noticed whether this belief aligns with the kind of relationships or life you’re trying to create?” The therapeutic relationship itself may be impacted by prejudicial statements, especially if the client’s beliefs target groups with which the counselor identifies. Ethical bracketing allows counselors to maintain professionalism, but they must assess their ability to remain effective. In cases where effectiveness is compromised, consultation or referral may be necessary.

Counselors must remain attuned to the ethical obligations of nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. Recognizing the systemic and cultural contexts contributing to prejudicial beliefs ensures that interventions do not reinforce harm. Multicultural competence, emphasized by the ACA and NAADAC, requires counselors to engage in ongoing education and self-reflection to understand societal oppression’s impact on themselves and their clients. The emotional toll of addressing prejudicial beliefs in counseling also requires intentional self-care. Counselors should seek supervision and peer support and practice self-compassion to maintain their wellbeing and professional effectiveness.

When clients express prejudicial beliefs, counselors are ethically obligated to respond with compassion, curiosity, and professionalism. However, in situations where clients’ prejudicial beliefs escalate to hostility or create a threatening environment, counselors have the right and responsibility to set clear boundaries to protect their safety. This might include calmly but firmly addressing inappropriate comments or behaviors and, if necessary, pausing or terminating the session. Counselors should document these incidents thoroughly and consult with supervisors or legal advisors when needed to ensure that their actions align with ethical and legal standards. Prioritizing personal safety protects the counselor and upholds the counseling process’s integrity by maintaining a professional and respectful therapeutic environment.

Religious and Spiritual Beliefs in Counseling

Counselors often work with clients whose religious and spiritual values play a significant role in their lives, and integrating these values into therapy can enhance the therapeutic process (Walsh et al., 2021). To do so ethically, counselors must adhere to the ACA and NAADAC professional standards. The ACA Code of Ethics emphasizes respecting clients’ diversity, including religious and spiritual beliefs, and maintaining client autonomy (ACA, 2014). Counselors must develop cultural competence, which includes understanding and respecting clients’ religious values without imposing their own. Counselors must also be mindful of referrals based on a difference of values, remembering that competency-based referrals are an acceptable and appropriate practice.

The NAADAC (2021) Code of Ethics also highlights respect for client beliefs and the importance of cultural and spiritual competence. It emphasizes the need for counselors to honor their clients’ spiritual and religious perspectives while ensuring that therapeutic interventions align with client goals and are evidence-based. Counselors working in substance use treatment settings may find these values particularly relevant, as spirituality often plays a crucial role in recovery for many clients, particularly those who are participating in a recovery program rooted in the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Ethical bracketing is necessary for managing differing viewpoints of religion and spirituality in counseling (Kocet & Herlihy, 2014). As discussed in this book, this process involves setting aside personal beliefs to remain fully client-centered, ensuring that professional boundaries are not crossed. Counselors should engage in self-reflection to identify biases, seek supervision when needed, and maintain professional boundaries to avoid proselytizing or imposing their beliefs on clients. Ethical bracketing allows counselors to create a safe space where clients’ values are prioritized and explored without judgment or influence from the counselor’s worldview.

Incorporating Religion and Spirituality in Counseling

Some counselors may offer counseling services incorporating a specific religious or spiritual belief system. While this is not forbidden within the counseling field, it is essential to take steps that ensure both ethical and practical practice. Counselors must first clarify their goals and scope of practice, determining whether their work will focus exclusively on religious principles or integrate spirituality into general counseling. Additionally, the counselor should decide whether their approach will center on a specific faith tradition or adopt an interfaith or inclusive spiritual framework. While not required, a counselor incorporating religious or spiritual practices into their work might consider supplementing their formal education in counseling with training in theology, religious studies, or spirituality. For those working within a particular faith tradition, theological seminaries or faith-based programs can provide specialized training.

Cultural and spiritual competence is essential for religious counseling, requiring counselors to understand the intersection of spirituality, culture, and mental health. Counselors should engage in ongoing education and training to develop the necessary skills for respecting and addressing diverse client beliefs. They must also ensure adherence to ethical and legal standards, including informed consent, confidentiality, and clear communication about the scope of services. Transparency regarding whether the counseling offered is faith-specific or broadly spiritual is critical to managing client expectations ethically. Finally, regular supervision and peer consultation are vital for counselors engaged in religious counseling, especially when addressing complex ethical or cultural issues. Supervision provides a space for reflection and helps refine approaches to integrating religious elements into counseling practice.

Political Beliefs in Counseling

Counselors are ethically obligated to provide services that prioritize the wellbeing of their clients while maintaining an environment free from bias or judgment (ACA, 2014; NAADAC, 2021). Bracketing political views is a critical skill that allows counselors to set aside their political beliefs to remain client-centered and uphold professional integrity. This practice is essential to a polarized social climate where political differences can impact the therapeutic relationship if not carefully managed.

To bracket political views, counselors must first engage in self-reflection to identify their biases and understand how they might influence their perceptions or interactions with clients. This process involves acknowledging personal beliefs without allowing them to shape the counseling dynamic. Regular supervision and consultation with peers can provide valuable feedback and help counselors navigate challenging situations where political differences arise. Supervision can also serve as a space for counselors to explore potential countertransference and refine their ability to maintain neutrality.

Adherence to professional codes of ethics reinforces the importance of bracketing. The ACA (2014) emphasizes the need for counselors to respect clients’ worldviews, including their political values, and to avoid imposing personal beliefs in the therapeutic process. Specifically, the principle of nonmaleficence—avoiding harm—requires counselors to ensure that their personal views do not alienate or distress clients. Ethical standards also stress the importance of client autonomy, meaning that clients should feel empowered to explore their political beliefs without fear of judgment or influence.

Bracketing political views also involves maintaining professional boundaries during counseling sessions. Counselors should refrain from initiating discussions about their political opinions or engaging in debates, even if clients bring up politically charged topics. Suppose a client’s political views differ significantly from those of the counselor. In that case, the focus should remain on understanding the client’s perspective and how it informs their experiences rather than the counselor’s reaction. Documentation should reflect a client-centered approach, avoiding language that suggests bias or personal opinion.

Counselors should also pursue ongoing education and training to strengthen their cultural competence and learn strategies for working with clients whose political views differ. Understanding the broader sociocultural and historical context of clients’ political beliefs can enhance empathy and reduce the risk of bias. By committing to self-awareness, professional boundaries, and continuous learning, counselors can effectively bracket their political views, ensuring their practice remains ethical, inclusive, and client-focused.

Focusing on Safety

If a counselor feels unsafe working with a client due to differing political viewpoints, the situation should be approached thoughtfully and ethically, prioritizing professional growth and the client’s wellbeing. The counselor should first assess the nature of the safety concern. Suppose the discomfort arises from emotional reactions to differing political beliefs rather than a physical threat. In that case, the counselor should reflect on how these feelings might impact their ability to remain client-centered. Self-awareness is crucial in identifying potential biases or triggers that could interfere with the therapeutic process.

Supervision or consultation is essential in addressing such concerns. Seeking support from a supervisor or peer allows the counselor to process their emotions and gain perspective. This process can help the counselor explore whether their discomfort stems from countertransference, cultural misunderstandings, or an ethical dilemma. Supervision can also help maintain professionalism, navigate challenging conversations, and reinforce boundaries to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment for the client.

Rather than immediately considering termination of the therapeutic relationship, the counselor should focus on strategies to strengthen their ability to work effectively with the client. This may include developing new approaches to managing political differences within sessions, reframing discussions to align with the client’s therapeutic goals, and ensuring that the focus remains on the client’s needs and experiences. Counselors can use supervision as a space to practice bracketing personal values, including political beliefs, to avoid imposing them on the client and to ensure the therapeutic alliance remains intact.

It is also important for counselors to document their reflections and actions, demonstrating their commitment to addressing the issue ethically and professionally. Supervision or consultation helps the counselor grow in self-awareness and cultural competence, ensuring they can continue providing high-quality care. By taking these steps, counselors can address discomfort or perceived challenges without compromising the therapeutic relationship, ultimately fostering a safe and supportive environment for their clients.