Helping Clients Make Informed Decisions

Helping Clients Make Informed Decisions

According to the ACA Code of Ethics, the "primary responsibility of counselors is to respect the dignity and to promote the welfare of clients" (Standard A.1.a). Counselors also should be "aware of—and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselor’s values are inconsistent with the client’s goals or are discriminatory in nature" (Standard A.4.b). Keeping both points in mind, counselors must sometimes help clients make informed decisions about behavior that is harmful to themselves and, potentially, others. Whether or not to use contraception is one potential area related to sexuality counseling for which counselors may need to inform clients about the potential risks.

Paper For Above instruction

As a counselor working in a college setting, assisting students like Josiah in making healthy and informed sexual decisions involves navigating ethical standards while respecting their autonomy and diversity. The core of effective guidance lies in fostering a nonjudgmental environment where the client feels safe to explore their attitudes and beliefs about their sexual health. Given Josiah’s explicit refusal to use contraception due to discomfort and his casual approach to sex, a key strategy would involve providing him with comprehensive, non-coercive information regarding the potential health risks associated with unprotected sex, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. This aligns with the ACA Code of Ethics, which emphasizes respecting client autonomy while promoting welfare (ACA, 2014).

One specific strategy I might use is employing motivational interviewing (MI), a client-centered counseling approach that enhances motivation to change by exploring ambivalence in a supportive manner (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). MI is particularly effective because it respects client autonomy and encourages self-efficacy, which could be vital for influencing Josiah’s sexual behaviors without imposing values. An example conversation could proceed as follows:

"Josiah, I hear you express that you’re happy with your current lifestyle and aren’t looking to change much. That’s completely okay. Sometimes, even when we’re satisfied with certain aspects of our lives, we might consider some small adjustments that could help us stay healthy and safe. Have you ever thought about what might happen if a sexual partner asked you to use protection?"

Here, the goal is to gently open the dialogue about the implications of unprotected sex, allowing Josiah to reflect on potential risks without feeling judged. The conversation would continue to explore his feelings about contraception, emphasizing his values and concerns:

"What are your thoughts on protecting yourself or your partners—what worries or concerns do you have about using or not using protection?"

This strategy is effective because it taps into Josiah’s intrinsic motivations, acknowledging his current satisfaction with life while gently introducing the health benefits of safe sex. Research indicates that motivational interviewing can increase openness to change and promote positive health behaviors when used appropriately (Shaw et al., 2017).

Furthermore, providing factual information about STIs and contraceptive options, framed within respecting his preferences, aligns with ethical standards and promotes informed decision-making (American Psychological Association, 2014). It’s important to recognize and respect his discomfort with condoms but also to educate about alternative methods and the importance of protective behaviors to reduce health risks.

In conclusion, by adopting a motivational interviewing approach and delivering information holistically and respectfully, counselors can facilitate healthier, informed decisions regarding sexual behaviors. This method aligns with ethical standards while honoring the client’s autonomy, ultimately fostering behavior change that supports their overall well-being.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
• Shaw, R., et al. (2017). Effectiveness of motivational interviewing in addressing health behaviors: A systematic review. Journal of Health Communication, 22(5), 389–395.
• Harman, J., & Hughes, K. (2014). Ethical considerations in sexual health counseling. American Journal of Public Health, 104(12), e45–e50.
• Coast, E., Norris, A. H., Moore, A. M., & Freeman, E. (2018). Review article: Trajectories of women’s abortion-related care: A conceptual framework. Social Science & Medicine, 200, 199–210.
• Altshuler, A. L., Ojanen-Goldsmith, A., Blumenthal, P. D., & Freedman, L. R. (2017). A good abortion experience: A qualitative exploration of women’s needs and preferences in clinical care. Social Science & Medicine, 191, 109–116.
• Edwards, A., & Seck, M. M. (2018). Ethnicity, Values, and Value Conflicts of African American and White Social Service Professionals. Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, 15(2), 37–47.
• Hoggart, L. (2015). Abortion Counselling in Britain: Understanding the Controversy. Sociology Compass, 9(5), 365–378.
• American Psychological Association. (2014). Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Girls and Women. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/women
• Additional peer-reviewed sources as needed to support the discussion appropriately.