Imposing Values on Clients

Carla Roberts

Imposing Values On Clients

Argosy University

Behavior is the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others. As a professional person one’s behavior is sometimes being analyzed by others, so it is good to try to always be on your best behavior. However, it is not always possible and as a professional one may demonstrate unethical behavior that may harm a client’s progress if proper ethical standards are not upheld. “Unethical behavior is defined as behavior that does not conform to generally accepted social norms, lacking moral principles and not in accord with the standards of a profession” (Dictionary.com, 2013).It is sad but true that employees will occasionally encounter taking part in or demonstrating unethical behavior.

Joe is a 35 year old male mental health counselor who is providing services to Jill whose main concerns are that she is experiencing anxiety and depression because she is unhappy with her current job as a bank teller. As a professional mental health counselor, Joe has a responsibility to his client as specified in the ACA Code of Ethics section A.1.a “to respect the dignity and promote the welfare of clients” (American Counseling Association, 2005). Ethical standards and codes are provided and upheld so that professionals are provided with specific behavioral guidelines when faced with ethical issues. However, Joe did not uphold his ethical obligations to Jill, his client; because he demonstrated unethical behavior in several ways and compromised the progress of his client causing more harm than good.

Three weeks into counseling Jill disclosed to Joe that she was confused about her sexuality because she was sexually attracted to women. This was a shock to Joe because he was unaware of her identity crisis and felt uncomfortable talking about it. He suggested that she pray about the situation because it is wrong and immoral and he does not want to talk about it anymore. Joe is a Catholic and his...