Should I always tell the truth, even when my client will be hurt? How far should I go in protecting my client's rights? I work in an agency so sometimes I'm struggling to resolve ethical conflicts between the duty I owe to my client and the responsibilities I have toward my employer. What should I do? How do I handle the sticky issue of counselling minors? The client's needs come first, but what happens when those needs run contrary to the wishes of the parents? These are just a few of the many questions that frequently confront those in the helping professions.Where can professionals turn when they find themselves asking compelling questions about their relationships with clients? This book seeks to raise the consciousness of counsellors regarding the ethical dimensions of their professional behaviour. In addition, Dr Stein provides helping professionals with an opportunity to explore their own ethical values within the context of problematic situations and, in doing so, become better prepared to serve their clients.
A number of fundamental issues are discussed in detail: the rights of clients, the rights of counsellors, codes of ethics, confidentiality, working with children, sexual relationships with clients, lying and deception, paternalism, and the ethical dimensions of consulting. No counsellor can afford to be without this helpful overview of the ethical issues facing today's professional.