Ethics in Group Counseling Paper.docx

1 Running head:ETHICS Ethics in Group Counseling Liberty University

2 Running head:ETHICS ABSTRACT Ethics in counseling is guidelines used to explain what a counselor is allowed to do. It protects the rights of the clients as well as the rights of the professionals. If a counselor must make a decision in regards to what is ethical and unethical he or she must know the Code of Ethics. The literature will explain the significance of ethics in group counseling; in addition, strategies to prevent ethical dilemmas. The research will also go in depth on leaders and creating an ethical environment.

3 Running head:ETHICS ETHICS IN GROUP COUNSELING Introduction Ethics are moral principles that govern a person’s or group behavior. In counseling you have Code of Ethics which is basically the law that explains what you can or cannot do in the field of counseling. Ethical standards are principles that all professions practice. These principles are rules that pertains to how we should treat others. Human service professionals and those who educate them promote and encourage the unique values and characteristics (Wark, 2010). National Association of Social Workers (2012) states “The Code designed to help social workers identify relevant consideration when professional obligation conflict or ethical uncertainties arise.” The term unethical means behaviors that are not aligned with the field of work. For example, unethical behaviors would include breaking confidentiality. In this research, the literature will go in depth about the history of ethics, ethical versus unethical, ethics in group versus individual counseling and strategies to avoid ethical issues. In doing so, human service professionals uphold the integrity and ethics of the profession, promote client and community well-being, and enhance their own professional growth. The fundamental values of the human services profession include respecting the dignity and welfare of all people; promoting self-determination; honoring cultural diversity; advocating for social justice; and acting with integrity, honesty, genuineness and objectivity (Ethical standards for HS, 2010).

4 Running head:ETHICS History Four independent associations convened a joint convention in Los Angeles, CA in 1952: The National Vocational Guidance Association (NVGA), the National Association of Guidance and Counselor Trainers (NAGCT), the Student Personnel Association for Teacher Education (SPATE), and the American College Personnel Association, in hopes of providing a larger professional voice. They established the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA), later changing names in 1983 to the American Association of Counseling and Development. On July 1, 1992, the association changed its name to the American Counseling Association (ACA) to reflect the common bond among association members and to reinforce their unity of purpose (Walk, 2010). The term ethics is derived from the Greek word ethikos which itself is derived from the Greek word ethos, meaning custom or character. In philosophy, ethical behavior is that which is “good.” The field of ethics involves concepts and different perspective in which determine right and wrong. Many philosophers have divided ethics into three categories: Metaethics, normative, and applied. According to the internet encyclopedia, Metaethics is a branch of analytic philosophy that explores the status, foundations, and scope of moral values, properties, and words. In summary, Methaethics is the concept of explaining what is moral? Normative ethics is the questions that come to mind when you have to make an ethical decision. It is your response in regards to the situation. Learning how to respond in an ethical way. Last but not least applied ethics deals with your everyday life. It is our private and personal interactions and the way we conduct ourselves daily.

5 Running head:ETHICS Ethics in Counseling According to Dubois and Miley, values are the implicit and explicit ideas about what we cherish as ideal or preferable. Our values shape our beliefs, emotion, and attitudes, and, in turn, our beliefs, emotions, and attitude shape our values (p.105). In the field of counseling we are constantly working with clients who have different values then our own. Values sometimes hinder our views about working with a specific population and our perception of their needs. Professional morals differ from personal morals because in a profession you are obligated to serve the population regardless of the diagnosis or situation. In counseling, ethics are extremely important because you are held to highest moral standard. Counselor’s ethical responsibility to clients allows us to see the broader picture rather than passing judgment. You do not have to change your personal values but at least be mindful of what you say and how you perceive information. If we were perfect then our experiences would not bother us as much. You should keep your personal values because that is who you are, and we were not created to be the same; however, in the field you have to set them aside. Understand the mission of the profession and let that guide your professionalism when working with any population. We must hold close to our hearts that we are all God’s children. Galatians 3:28 states “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ.” Ethical standards are set in place to ensure equal rights; however, biblical standards are rules for the righteous. You must walk in the image of Christ to understand biblical standards, unlike ethical standards. Both are needed for a successful workplace. If we are aware of ethical considerations and ethical decision-making guidelines, we can be prepared to deal with issues as

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