Sample video and content extract from our Career Sampler - Become a Counsellor course

Issues of Responsibility

(a) Counsellors have both a duty of care and a responsibility not to mislead, misguide or misdirect [either overtly by publication or covertly by omission] clients as to the counsellors level of competence, experience or qualifications. To do so is considered to be a most serious ethical breech as it increases the risk of harm to the client and damages the credibility of the profession in the eyes of the general public.

(b) Counsellors have a responsibility to keep all client records safe and secure.

(c) Counsellors take responsibility for clinical/therapeutic decisions in their work with clients.

(d) Counsellors also have responsibilities to associated parties, i.e. any individual or organisation other than the client/s with whom the Counsellor interacts in the course of rendering a counselling service, This is inclusive of but not limited to:

i. client's' relatives, friends, employees, employers, carers and guardians

ii. other professionals or experts;

iii. representative from communities or organisations. In reference to the Code of Ethics and Practice what applies to the client(s) also applies to associated parties.

(e) The counsellor-client relationship is the foremost ethical concern. However, counselling does not exist in social isolation. Counsellors may need to consider other sources of ethical responsibility. The headings in this section are intended to draw attention to some of these

Responsibility to the client

(a) Client Safety 

i. Counsellors must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the client does not suffer physical, emotional or psychological harm during counselling sessions. 

ii. Counsellors must not exploit their clients financially, sexually, emotionally, or in any other way. Suggesting or engaging in sexual activity with a client is unethical.

iii.Counsellors must provide privacy for counselling sessions. The sessions should not be overheard, recorded or observed by anyone other than the counsellor without informed consent from the client. Normally any recording would be discussed as part of the contract Care must be taken that sessions are not interrupted.

(b) Client Self-determination. 

i. In counselling the balance of power is unequal and counsellors must take care not to abuse their power.

ii. Counsellors do not normally act on behalf of their clients. If they do, it will only be withexpress written consent of their client,or else in exceptional circumstances.

iii. Counsellors do not normally give advice.

iv. Counsellors have a responsibility to establish with clients at the outset of counselling the existence of any other therapeutic or helping relationships in which the client is involved and to consider whether counselling is appropriate. Counsellors should gain the client's permission before conferring in any way with other professional workers.

For a more advanced course in counselling, click here.