Please Actively Participate In The Discussion Board

Please Actively Participate In The Discussion Board Initial Posts Sho

Please actively participate in the discussion board. Initial posts should be a minimum of 350 words, with two responses to classmates a minimum of 150. Initial posts should be made by midnight on Thursday of each week, responses to be posted by midnight on Sunday iscuss a situation in which your judgement, attitudes, and/or personal values might get in the way of your ability to help somebody. Consider the following questions in your answer: How might your feelings get in the way of your behaviors as a helper? Could values affect your ability to "do no harm" to your clients, as the ethical codes require? What do you anticipate would be the most difficult or problematic ethical situations for you to face as a helper? How do you imagine handling those situations?

Paper For Above instruction

The discussion prompt emphasizes the importance of self-awareness among helpers, particularly regarding how personal judgments, attitudes, and values can influence their effectiveness and ethical responsibilities. In this paper, I will explore scenarios where my personal biases and emotions could interfere with my ability to provide impartial and effective assistance, along with strategies to address such challenges.

One critical area where personal feelings could impact my helper role is in managing emotional reactions during client interactions. For example, if a client shares a story that triggers personal memories or biases, my immediate feelings might color my responses. Such reactions could lead to inadvertently providing advice based on my emotional state rather than the client’s needs, thereby compromising the objectivity essential in helping professions. To mitigate this, ongoing self-reflection and supervision are necessary, enabling me to recognize and regulate my emotional responses effectively.

Values also play a significant role in shaping how help is delivered and ensuring that I adhere to the ethical principle of "do no harm." Personal morals about issues like sexuality, substance use, or mental health could unconsciously influence my attitudes, potentially leading to judgment rather than acceptance. For instance, if I hold strong beliefs against substance abuse, I must remain cautious not to let these values cloud my empathy or treatment approach. Maintaining professional boundaries and engaging in cultural competence training can help ensure I honor diverse perspectives while upholding ethical standards.

The most challenging ethical situations might involve balancing respect for client autonomy with my responsibility to protect clients from harm. For example, in cases where a client refuses help or insists on continuing harmful behaviors, I may struggle with respecting their decision while also feeling ethically compelled to intervene. Handling such situations requires a nuanced understanding of ethical codes, open communication, and possibly consulting with colleagues or supervisors to navigate complex dilemmas without violating confidentiality or ethical guidelines.

In preparation for these challenges, developing strong self-awareness, cultural competence, and ethical reasoning skills is vital. Continuous professional development and supervision can provide support in handling ethically complex scenarios, ensuring that my personal biases do not interfere with my professional responsibilities. Ultimately, commitment to ethical principles and ongoing self-reflection are essential in managing personal influences while providing respectful, effective help to clients.

References

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2020). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.

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Schwarz, R. (2013). The skilled helper: A problem-management and opportunity-development approach to helping (10th ed.). Brooks/Cole.

Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2017). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling (5th ed.). Pearson.

Siegel, L. J. (2012). Nonsuicidal self-injury: A review of assessment and intervention approaches. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(4), 418-426.

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Mearns, D., & Cooper, M. (2010). Working at relational depth in counselling and psychotherapy. Routledge.