Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
Lesson3.4
Rights,Responsibilities,andAccountabilitiesof
Counselors
Contents
Introduction 1
LearningObjectives 2
Explore 2
Discover 4
RightsofCounselors 5
ResponsibilitiesofCounselors 7
AccountabilitiesofCounselors 8
Wrap-Up 9
TryThis! 10
ChallengeYourself 12
ReflectonThis 14
Bibliography 14
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
Lesson3.4
Rights,Responsibilities,and
AccountabilitiesofCounselors
Introduction
Disciplines and professions that directly work with human well-being should be practiced
with caution since life and health are at stake. Hence, professional organizations develop
codes of ethics and
standards
to
regulate
the
conduct
of
their
members.
These
codes
and
standards, in turn, translate to
mandates.
And,
just
like
any
other
professional,
counselors
arealsoboundbythese.
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
1
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
In this lesson,
we
will
discuss
the
rights,
responsibilities,
and
accountabilities
of
counselors
as
set
in
their
code
of
ethics
and
professional
standards.
We
will
cover
in
greater
detail
the
ethicsinvolvedinthecounselingpracticeinthenextlesson.
LearningObjectives DepEdLearningCompetency
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to
Inthislesson,youshouldbeabletodothe
value the rights, responsibilities, and
following: accountabilities of counselors (HUMSS_DIASS
12-lc-9).
● Identifyandexplaintherights,
responsibilities,and
accountabilitiesofcounselors.
● Understandhowtheserights,
responsibilities,and
accountabilitiesinfluencethe
counselingprofession.
Explore
TheTasksofaCounselor 10minutes
By now, you may have already familiarized yourself with the counseling profession. You
have learned
that
counselors
can
work
in
various
fields
and
address
specific
issues
related
to human functioning. In this activity, you will further explore the complex role of
counselorsinthefieldofmentalhealthandpsychologicalwell-being.
Instructions
1. Briefly review your learning about counseling from the previous lessons. You may
alsoconsultexternalreferencesformoreinformation.
2. In the space below, list down five specific tasks
that
a counselor
does
whether
in
a
school or a workplace setting. Include a one-sentence
explanation
of
the
tasks
that
youwillenumerate.
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
2
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
3. Respondtoguidequestionsthatfollow.
TheTasksofaCounselor
1. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
3
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
GuideQuestions
1. Amongthetasksthatyouhavewritten,whichdoyouthinkisthemostimportant?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Would you consider these tasks as rights, responsibilities, or accountabilities of a
counselor?Why?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Based on your output, how would you differentiate a counselor’s rights,
responsibilities,andaccountabilities?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Discover
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
4
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
required
to
pass
the
board
exam
administered
by
the
● regulatoryboard–
PRC before they can offer guidance and counseling
anagencythatis
services. These licensing requirements imply that
taskedbylawto
more than the theoretical knowledge and practical
handlethelicensing
skills needed by counselors, there are also several
andregulationofthe
ethical guidelines and
responsibilities
that
they
must
practiceofa
follow. In this lesson, we will discuss some of these
profession
principles,
particularly
the
responsibilities,
rights,
and
accountabilitiesofcounselors.
Why should we be aware of the rights, responsibilities,
andaccountabilitiesofcounselors?
There are two essential documents that stipulate the rights, responsibilities, and
accountabilities
of
Filipino
counselors.
These
are
Republic
Act
No.
9258
or
the
Guidance
and Counseling Act of 2004 and the Code or Manual of Technical Standards for
Registered
and
Licensed
Guidance
Counselors. We
will
use
these
two
important
sources
asreferencesthroughoutthelesson.
RightsofCounselors
It
is
important
for
any
professional
organization
to
cite
the
specific
rights
of
its
members.
In
counseling, one common misconception that practitioners encounter is the thought that
since they give service to clients, they do not hold certain rights in their practice. This is
definitely not true as all
counselors
are
entitled
to
certain
rights.
These
protect
them
from
any untoward legal or ethical issue that
they
might
encounter
in
their
practice.
These
also
secure their safety, protection, and well-being and can prevent physical
and
psychological
harm that counselors could potentially experience because of their profession. Below
are
some
rights
of
counselors
as
mandated
by
the
Guidance
and
Counseling
Act
of
2004
and
the Code or Manual of Technical Standards for Registered and Licensed Guidance
Counselors:
● Right
to
privileged
communication.
The
counselor
is
allowed,
under
law,
to
refuse
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
5
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
to release any statement, conversation, file, or information that is acquired while
counselingaclient.
● Right to practice in the country. If a counselor has satisfied the minimum
requirements for practicing professionally in the
country,
he
or
she
is
able
to
enjoy
work-related privileges that are mandated by law, such as wages and bonuses,
linkages with professional organizations, licensure, and continuing development
opportunities.
● Right to continuing activities for counselor care. The professional organization
may
offer
various
continuing
activities
to
its
members,
such
as
seminars
and
training,
administrativeopportunities,andresearch-relatedactivities.
● Right to rehabilitation services. Counselors who experience work-related stress
have the right to seek rehabilitation and psychological support from other mental
healthprofessionals.
● Right
to
safety
and
dignity. Much
like
their
clients,
counselors
also
have
the
right
to
a
safe
and
dignified
practice.
This
is
especially
important
when
seeing
clients
who
are
at risk of harming others or being exposed to cases with high security and safety
risks.
Fig.1.Counselorsmustknowhowtobalancetheirrightsandresponsibilities.
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
6
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
ResponsibilitiesofCounselors
Counselors attend to several important responsibilities. Addressing a client’s needs and
providing
feedback
are
just
some
of
these;
hence,
they
are
all-around
professionals
who
are
abletointegratetheirknowledgeandskillsintheirpractice.
The counselors’ code of ethics mandates
them
to
foster
safe
and
professional
counseling
relationships with
their
clients.
In
practice,
a counselor’s
responsibilities
are
numerous
and
can help address client issues, establish and maintain professional competence, and
facilitateequalopportunitiestoclients.
a. Counselors must limit their practice to their educational background and
professionalcompetence.
b. Counselors
should
engage
in
research-oriented
activities
to
improve
their
knowledge
oftheirpractice.
c. Counselors must uphold ethical values throughout their professional relationships
withclients.
d. Counselors must recognize and respect their clients’ religion, race, age, ethnicity,
educational background, socioeconomic status, and other sociodemographic
characteristics.
e. Counselors must maintain
good
and
functional
professional
relationships
with
their
clients
and
uphold
the
ethical
principles
of
respect,
confidentiality,
informed
consent,
andsafetyandsecurity.
CheckYourProgress
What qualities do counselors need to perform their professional
responsibilitieseffectively?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
7
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
AccountabilitiesofCounselors
Counselors
are
also
accountable
for
specific
tasks
and
responsibilities
that
go
beyond
their
counseling sessions with clients. Their code of ethics also mandates several important
provisions about specific accountabilities of counselors. Being accountable means being
answerable
to
their
actions.
It
is
important
to
note
that
while
responsibilities
can
be
shared,
accountability cannot. Once an action is done,
a practicing
counselor
is
solely
accountable
for the consequences. These apply to them
not
only
as
professionals
who
help
clients
but
also
as
administrators
and
researchers
who
expand
the
field
of
counseling.
Below
are
some
oftheaccountabilitiesofcounselors.
a. Counselors are required to engage in continuing professional development to
maintaintheircapacitiesascounselorsandcontinuepracticingtheirprofession.
b. Counselors
maintain
and
safely
keep
their
clients’
records.
They
are
also
responsible
forgrantingclientsaccesstothese.
c. Counselors avoid dual or multiple relationships with their clients. For example,
having a friend or a relative as a client can risk potential issues and bias in the
outcomeofthecounselingprocess.
d. Counselors
are
responsible
for
ensuring
that
all
equipment
to
be
used
in
counseling,
especially computers and data banks, are
adequately
secured
to
ensure
the
client’s
privacyandsafety.
e. Counselors are liable to any form
of
unethical
practice
that
goes
against
their
code
ofethicsandotherpertinentlawsinthePhilippines.
f. Counselors are also tasked to ensure that all procedures, processes, and activities
conductedarerelevantintheirfieldofpractice.
g. Counselors
are
expected
to
ensure
that
all
information
promulgated
in
any
aspect
of
theirpractice(e.g.,advertisingmaterials)istrueandaccurate.
h. Counselors should report any prevailing ethical and professional concerns to the
official administrative body and regulatory boards responsible for maintaining
ethicalandprofessionalstandardsinthefield.
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
8
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
CheckYourProgress
How
can
a counselor
determine
whether
a specific
ethical
standard
isaresponsibilityoranaccountability?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Wrap-Up
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
● Through the
Guidance
and
Counseling
Act
of
2004
and
the
Code
or
Manual
of
Technical Standards for Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselors,
standards on the rights, responsibilities, and accountabilities of counselors are
promoted.
● Counselors,
similar
to
their
clients,
also
have
rights
that
protect
their
safety
and
well-beingandgivethemopportunitiestoimprovetheirpractice.
● The
responsibilities
of
counselors
to
the
client
involve
a variety
of
behaviors
and
activitiesgearedtowardsane
thicalpracticeoftheprofession.
● As professionals,
counselors
are
accountable
not
only
to
their
clients
but
also
to
the
institutions
that
regulate
their
practice.
They
are
answerable
to
their
actions,
whichmayhavecorrespondingconsequences.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
9
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
TryThis!
A. T
rueorFalse.W
ritet rueifthestatementiscorrect.Otherwise,writef alse.
__________________ 2. It
is
the
responsibility
of
counselors
to
take
care
of
all
of
their
clients’needs.
__________________ 3. The counseling profession is bound by a specific code of
ethicssetbyitsregulatoryboard.
__________________ 4. A client can freely discuss a counselor’s methods and
techniques to other people even without consent from the
counselor.
B. Identification. Provide real-life examples and situations where the following rights,
responsibilities,andaccountabilitiesofcounselingcanbeapplied.
1. Righttosafetyanddignity
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Responsibilityofmaintainingagoodworkingrelationshipwiththeclient
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
10
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
3. Avoidingmultipleordualrelationships
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Ensuringallinformationistrueandaccurate
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Righttorehabilitationservices
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Righttoprivilegedcommunication
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Respectingclientdiversity
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Limitingpracticetoeducationalbackgroundandcompetence
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
11
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
9. Engaginginresearch-orientedactivities
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Righttopracticeinthecountry
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
ChallengeYourself
Short Response Essay. Answer the following questions using relevant concepts from the
lesson.Useexamplestosupportyourclaims.
1. Why should a counselor recognize and follow mandates on the practice of
counseling?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What issues with rights, responsibilities, and accountabilities can arise when
beginningcounselorstrytoengageinthecounselingprocess?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
12
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
SuggestedRubricforGrading
The rubric below is a suggested one. Your teacher may modify it based on your needs.
Consultyourteacherforthefinalrubric.
PerformanceL
evels
Suggested
Criteria 1 2 3 Score
Weight
Beginning Proficient Advanced
Proficiency Proficiency
Lessthan50%ofthe
About50%to75%of
Morethan75%of
Content
content uses
thecontent uses
thecontent uses
×2
conceptsdiscussedin
conceptsdiscussedin
conceptsdiscussed
thelesson.
thelesson.
inthelesson.
Onlyoneconceptis
Twotothreeconcepts
Atleastfour
Appropriate
showninthe
areshowninthe
conceptsareshown
Useof ×3
response.
response.
intheresponse.
Concepts
TotalPossibleScore 15
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
13
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
ReflectonThis
Do
you
think
that
the
current
mandate
on
counselor
rights
is
already
sufficient?
Explain
your
answerusingvariousconceptsdiscussedinthislesson.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Bibliography
Corey, Gerald. Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. 10th ed. Boston, MA:
CengageLearning,2017.
Patrick,PamelaK.S.C
ontemporaryIssuesinCounseling.Boston,MA:Allyn&Bacon,2007.
Sue, Derald Wing, David Sue, Helen A. Neville, and Laura Smith. Counseling the Culturally
Diverse:TheoryandPractice.Hoboken,NJ:JohnWiley&SonsInc.,2019.
Truax, Charles B., and Robert Carkhuff. Toward Effective Counseling and Psychotherapy:
TrainingandPractice.London:Routledge,2017.
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
14
Unit3:ProfessionalsandPractitionersinCounseling
Tudor, Louise
Embleton,
Keemar
Keemar,
Keith
Tudor,
Joanna
Valentine,
and
Mike
Worrall.
The Person-Centred Approach: A Contemporary Introduction. London: Macmillan
InternationalHigherEducation,2004.
3.4R
ights,R
esponsibilities,a
ndA
ccountabilitieso
fC
ounselors
15