Counseling Relationships Benefits Ethics Essay Answer

Introduction

A therapeutic connection is one that develops between a client and a counsellor during a counselling session (Norcross & Lambert, 2018). The goal of this collaborative method, which is based on trust, empathy, and understanding, is to help the client explore their thoughts, feelings, and actions in a setting that is safe and encouraging (Norcross & Lambert, 2018). The relationship is founded on ethics and confidentiality, and it is marked by openness, honesty, and respect for one another (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). One of the most crucial elements of therapy interactions is informed consent (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). According to Elliott et al. (2018), the process of counselling is carefully listening to the client, respecting their concerns without passing judgement, and understanding them with empathy. The counsellor may assist the client in determining their objectives and coming up with plans to accomplish those objectives, in determining their available choices and alternatives, and in coming to conclusions that are congruent with the client's core ideals and principles (Elliott et al., 2018). Clients who are battling with a wide variety of personal, emotional, and mental health concerns can stand to benefit from the counselling connection (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). Additionally, the counselling connection can assist clients in expanding their self-awareness, developing their capacity for resilience, and enhancing their overall quality of life (Helmreich et a., 2017). This essay will discuss the benefit of counselling relationships for Emma, ethical concerns, and recommendations for John. Moreover, this essay will also discuss measures that must be taken by John as a counsellor and the importance of supervision in John’s case.

Benefit from Counselling Relationships

Emma could gain a lot from the counselling relationship if John accepts her as a client. First of all, she could find it beneficial to have a private, safe place to express her sentiments on her brother's passing. John would be qualified as a counsellor to listen to her and guide her in a non-judgmental way while she explores her thoughts and feelings, which can be very beneficial (American Psychological Association, 2020). Second, Emma might gain from working with a specialist who can guide her through the grieving process (American Psychological Association, 2020). A counsellor like John can assist her in comprehending and navigating the various phases of grief, which can be a difficult and stressful process (American Psychological Association, 2020). He can assist her in developing coping mechanisms to deal with the distressing feelings and work through any challenging guilt, rage, or regret she may be going through (Australian Psychological Society, 2017). Thirdly, if Emma has comparable beliefs, John's membership in the church and his spiritual and religious convictions may be a benefit to the therapeutic partnership (Australian Psychological Society, 2017). They can delve into the spiritual and theological dimensions of her loss and incorporate these convictions into her therapy (Australian Psychological Society, 2017). This can be especially useful if Emma is having trouble giving her loss a meaning or purpose (American Psychological Association, 2020).

Potential Harm for Emma

Emma can potentially suffer negative consequences if she accepts John's clientele. One important concern is that John might lack the knowledge or experience necessary to give her the assistance she needs (Walsh et al., 2019). Not all counsellors are created equal, and counselling involves specialised abilities, education, and certifications (Beck & Kulzer, 2018). John might not be able to aid Emma successfully if he has the necessary education or expertise in grief therapy (Walsh et al., 2019). The fact that Emma and John have several connections in their community is another factor that could complicate their relationship (Beck & Kulzer, 2018). If Emma knows John from her son's class or if he's active in her church, she might hesitate to confide in him (Beck & Kulzer, 2018). She might find it challenging to be open and honest in her sessions as a result, which might ultimately impede her therapeutic development (Avasthi et al., 2022). And finally, Emma might suffer if John is unable to keep a professional distance from her (Avasthi et al., 2022). To safeguard the best interests of the client, counselling engagements must have clear parameters and adhere to a set of professional ethics (Avasthi et al., 2022). If John doesn't uphold these boundaries, Emma's mental health may suffer, and she may lose faith in counselling as a whole.

Ethical Concerns

The scenario presented raises several ethical considerations that need to be addressed. First is the potential conflict of interest that may arise as a result of John's involvement in the church, as well as his relationship with Emma's husband and son, as well as his involvement in the church (Larez & Sharkey, 2021). Due to the nature of these ties, he may experience feelings of pressure to provide Emma with preferential treatment, which may cause him to lose his objectivity as a counsellor (Larez & Sharkey, 2021). The fact that John is involved in the community and that he has a relationship with Emma's family members could cause professional boundaries to become unclear (Avasthi et al., 2022). Counsellors need to establish and uphold firm boundaries with their clients to foster a culture in which clients feel respected and safe (Avasthi et al., 2022). It is not clear whether Emma was informed that the pastor had sought John to provide counselling as informed consent is one of the crucial aspects to be followed while providing counselling (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). It is also unknown whether Emma was informed that John had been approached by the pastor. If this does not occur, there may be cause for worry regarding informed consent and the client's autonomy (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). Without any outside interference, Emma ought to have been able to make her own decision on the counsellor she would see (Zakaria et al., 2022). Competence is one factor that is considered to be important for the counsellor or therapist (Zakaria et al., 2022). Even though John is a seasoned therapist, it is essential to evaluate whether or not he possesses the required level of knowledge to meet Emma's particular requirements (Zakaria et al., 2022). Grief therapy can be difficult, therefore therapists need to have the appropriate training and experience to be able to successfully address the difficulties that clients bring up (Wetherell, 2022). These ethical considerations have substantial repercussions for both the connection between the counsellor and client and the client's overall well-being (Zakaria et al., 2022). If these concerns are not addressed, it may reduce the efficiency of the counselling and put the client in danger of experiencing negative consequences (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). It is important for counsellors to be aware of these concerns and to take appropriate efforts to manage them, such as obtaining consultation, discussing any conflicts of interest with the client, and ensuring that they have the required training and expertise to answer the requirements of the client (Zakaria et al., 2022).

Measures of being a Counselor in Private Practice

John is a licensed professional counsellor who works in private practice. He is required to take several precautions to ensure that he provides his clients with care that is both ethical and effective (Mitchell et al., 2021). First is accreditation and professional qualifications John ought to hold the proper qualifications and be accredited by a professional body that regulates the practice of counselling in his region (Mitchell et al., 2021). This is necessary for John to be able to work as a counsellor. This guarantees that he possesses the education and experience essential for providing counselling services to clients (Mitchell et al., 2021). Second, before John begins providing counselling services to his customers, he should make certain that his clients have provided informed consent beforehand (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). This includes providing the client with an explanation of the nature of the counselling process, the advantages and dangers involved, as well as information on confidentiality, as well as any other pertinent information that the client should be aware of before beginning counselling (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). The third is concerning confidentiality, John is required to maintain secrecy regarding the personal information of his clients and to guarantee that any personal data is stored in a secure location and that only authorised individuals can access the data (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). Fourth is that John is obligated to adhere to the professional ethical norms that control the counselling profession and must also establish clear ethical boundaries with his clients (Wetherell, 2022). This includes making certain that he keeps appropriate professional boundaries with clients and does not engage in any behaviour that could be considered inappropriate (Wetherell, 2022). In addition to this John should make it a priority to participate in continuous professional development so that he may ensure that he is always current with the most recent findings and strategies in the field of counselling (Wetherell, 2022). John needs to participate in regular supervision with an experienced supervisor to guarantee that he is giving his customers the kind of treatment that is both effective and ethical (Natarajan, 2020). Through the use of these steps, John will be able to guarantee that the counselling services he provides to his clients in his private practice are both ethical and effective (Wetherell, 2022).

Recommendations for John

If I were John, I would handle the situation with Emma in accordance with the ethical norms and professional standards that are established for therapy (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). Confidentiality is something that must be maintained at all times by John in his role as a therapist (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). This includes keeping any information Emma discloses with him about her personal life, including the fact that her brother passed away (Darby & Weinstock, 2018). Before John shares any information with other individuals or experts, Emma should be explained the boundaries of confidentiality, and John should get her informed consent before doing so (Avasthi et al., 2022). John should maintain professional boundaries with Emma by keeping the focus on her counselling needs and refrain from engaging in any personal or multiple ties with her, such as friendships or business relationships (Avasthi et al., 2022). This will help John maintain the appropriate distance between their two relationships. This is necessary to guarantee that the therapy connection continues to be productive while also adhering to ethical standards (Bayliss-Conway et al., 2021). John needs to use a client-centred approach to counselling, which entails concentrating on Emma's requirements, inclinations, and objectives during the session (Bayliss-Conway et al., 2021). This strategy entails attentively listening to Emma's issues, empathising with her past experiences, and providing support to Emma as she works towards reaching her therapy goals (Bayliss-Conway et al., 2021).

The study conducted by Bayliss-Conway et al (2021) purpose was to evaluate the connection between client-centred therapeutic conditions and authenticity in the context of counselling sessions. A positive correlation was found between client-centred conditions in counselling sessions and authenticity, as shown by the findings of the study (Bayliss-Conway et al., 2021) According to the findings of the research, the level of authenticity felt by clients increased in proportion to the degree to which the counselling relationship was centred on the needs of the clients (Bayliss-Conway et al., 2021). Authenticity was also found to have a favourable association with customers' increases in self-esteem, self-compassion, and psychological wellness, according to the findings of the study (Bayliss-Conway et al., 2021). By adhering to these principles, John will be able to serve Emma and the other clients in his private practice with counselling services that are both effective and ethical (Avasthi et al., 2022).

For John to deliver efficient and moral counselling services to Emma and other clients, he must uphold confidentiality, define professional boundaries, adopt a client-centred approach, and follow ethical principles (Avasthi et al., 2022). Additionally essential to delivering therapy and maintaining high-quality mental health care is supervision. By adhering to these guidelines and seeking out regular supervision, John can keep giving his patients the treatment they need while keeping moral and professional standards (Avasthi et al., 2022).

Importance of Supervision

When providing therapy, supervision is a vital component of the process, and this is especially true for independent counsellors like John who do not have the advantage of working inside a larger organisation and therefore must provide their own (Natarajan, 2020). Supervision along with personal therapy is considered to be one of the therapies that help in the quick recovery of the client (Natarajan, 2020). Supervision in counselling helps to develop competencies and is also directly related to the outcome of the patient or client result (Özygit, 2022). Research conducted in South Africa has demonstrated that supervision plays an essential part in assisting counsellors and assisting them in providing appropriate care (Nel & Fouche, 2017). The study was conducted by Ferreira-Correia. (2017) gives a general review of clinical neuropsychology's criteria and procedures for supervision. The necessity of supervision in the education of clinical neuropsychologists and its role in assuring the calibre of patient care are both topics covered by the author in the first paragraphs (Ferreira-Correia, 2017). The following section of the article gives a general overview of the current requirements and policies for clinical neuropsychology supervision, including specifications for the training and experience of supervisors, the frequency and length of supervision sessions, and the topics covered during those sessions (Ferreira-Correia, 2017).

Another study conducted by Hendricks et al. (2021) investigates how mental health professionals in South Africa perceive clinical supervision training, practices, and professional competencies. The author highlights the necessity of continual professional growth and training for supervisors, as well as the significance of supervision in assuring the quality and efficacy of mental health care (Hendricks et al., 2021) The results of a survey of mental health professionals in South Africa are presented in the following section of the article (Hendricks et al., 2021). The investigation into the respondents' perceptions on supervision training, practises, and professional competency was the main goal of the study (Hendricks et al., 2021). The survey's findings show that while South African mental health professionals commonly understand the necessity for supervision, many of them also express feeling unprepared for their supervisory responsibilities due to a lack of adequate training and support (Hendricks et al., 2021). In summary, the researcher's conclusions highlight the need for supervision as a way to support counsellors like John who are tasked with giving their clients the proper care in a culture as complex and diverse as South Africa (Ferreira-Correia, 2017). Supervision is an essential part of therapy for therapists like John to progress professionally, especially those who work independently (Hendricks et al., 2021). The need for supervision in counselling is well acknowledged, and studies have shown that it can assist counsellors in providing their clients with the best treatment (Ferreira-Correia, 2017).

Conclusion

Therapeutic partnerships can provide individuals like Emma with a secure setting in which to explore their emotions and thoughts, develop coping skills, and generally enhance their quality of life. But it's important to be conscious of the ethical conundrums that such relationships can bring up. These include the potential for conflicts of interest, the value of obtaining consent that is informed, and the need for clear and respected professional boundaries. Counsellors must have the skills and training required to provide top-notch services, as well as the right supervision to ensure they are adhering to moral standards. The counselling relationship can generally be a helpful tool for clients who wish to improve their quality of life and overall well-being, but counsellors must conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner to ensure that the client's needs are met. The therapeutic relationship a counsellor develops with a client is based on empathy, understanding, and trust, with the client's autonomy and well-being being given high priority. Counsellors must be able to provide their patients with a safe, accepting, and encouraging setting in which they can examine their emotions and experiences. Overall, counselling partnerships can be a useful tool for those who need support, but it's important to ensure that moral principles are kept to protect both the client and the therapist. By adhering to these guidelines, counsellors can help clients like Emma navigate hard life circumstances and progress towards their goals.

References

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Australian Psychological Society. (2017). The top 8 relationship counselling benefits. https://dspsychology.com.au/the-top-8-relationship-counseling-benefits/#:~:text=Seeing%20a%20counsellor%20helps%20all,together%20thus%20strengthening%20their%20bonds .

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