ETHICAL ISSUES IN

COUNSELLING PRACTICE
 • Explain the different ethical
issues that affect counseling
practice.

INTENDED • Illustrate the forms of dual

LEARNING and multiple relationships in
OUTCOME counseling.
• Classify factors that affect
confidentiality.
• Apply the basic ethical
principles in the process of
ethical decision-making.
TOPICS
What is Counselling

Ethical Issues in Counselling Practice

Factors that Affect Confidentiality

Basic Ethical Principles in Ethical Decision-Making

COUNSELLING
• Counselling is a profession that
involves assisting people with
emotional and psychological
problems. However, this
profession is not without ethical
challenges.
ETHICAL ISSUES IN
COUNSELLING PRACTICE
Confidentiality
Informed Consent
Boundaries
Competence
Dual Relationships
Professionalism
CONFIDENTIALITY
• Confidentiality is a vital aspect of counselling
practice. Clients must feel that they can trust their
counsellor with their personal information.
INFORMED CONSENT
• Informed consent is essential in counselling practice.
The client must be informed about the counselling
process, the goals, and the potential risks and benefits.
BOUNDARIES
• Counsellors should establish and maintain appropriate
boundaries with their clients to avoid any exploitation
or harm.
D U A L R E L AT I O N S H I P S
• Dual relationships occur when the counsellor has multiple roles with
the client, such as being their therapist and employer. Such
relationships can cause conflicts of interest and power imbalances,
leading to ethical violations.
C U LT U R A L C O M P E T E N C E
• Counsellors should be aware of their own biases and work towards
developing cultural competence to provide effective therapy to clients
from diverse backgrounds. This includes being sensitive to cultural
differences and avoiding any language or behaviour that may be
offensive or discriminatory.
PROFESSIONALISM
• Counsellors should maintain a high level of
professionalism in their practice, including being
punctual, respectful, and ethical.
FA C T O R S T H AT A F F E C T
CONFIDENTIALITY
• Legal and Ethical Obligations: Counselors are bound by legal and
ethical obligations to protect the privacy of their clients.
• Client Consent: Informed consent is a critical component of the
counseling relationship, and clients must understand and agree to the
limits of confidentiality. Counselors should explain to their clients that
there are certain situations in which confidentiality may need to be
breached, such as if the client poses a threat to themselves or others.
FA C T O R S T H AT A F F E C T
CONFIDENTIALITY
• Counseling Setting: The setting in which counseling takes place can
impact confidentiality.
• Communication Channels: With the advent of technology,
communication channels such as email, text, and video conferencing
have become common in counseling.
• Counselor Boundaries: Counselors need to maintain clear
boundaries with their clients to protect confidentiality.
 Autonomy
BASIC ETHICAL
PRINCIPLES IN Non-maleficence
ETHICAL
DECISION- Beneficence
MAKING:
Justice

Fidelity
BASIC ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN
ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING:
• Autonomy: This principle emphasizes the importance of respecting
clients' right to make their own decisions about their lives.
• Non-maleficence: This principle requires counsellors to do no harm
to their clients. They should avoid actions that could cause physical or
psychological harm, and should take steps to minimize any potential
harm.
BASIC ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN
ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING:
• Beneficence: This principle requires counsellors to promote clients' well-being and
help them achieve their goals.
• Justice: This principle emphasizes the importance of fairness and equality in
counselling. Counsellors should treat all clients with respect and should avoid any
actions that could result in discrimination or unfair treatment.
• Fidelity: This principle requires counsellors to be honest and trustworthy in their
relationships with clients. They should keep their promises and maintain
confidentiality, except in cases where disclosure is required by law or necessary to
prevent harm to the client or others.
Thank you!