Stephen Wood
replied toGodwill Tamunang
May 3, 2024, 4:54 AM
Good post. Promoting an open and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment can help deter counselors from expressing their values to a client, which can lead to discrimination and imposition in the therapeutic relationship (Corey, Corey & Corey, 2019). Actions a counselor might take when confronted with clients they find difficult to treat due to differences in values/beliefs on abortion, for example, are to explore this issue from a legal perspective. Especially since this is an emotionally charged topic, mental health professionals must be sensitive, knowledgeable and familiar with legal requirements from state to state and even to consult an attorney when needed. Laws, regulations, and policies on parental consent vary widely on clients considering an abortion, especially if they are minors.
Reference
Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Corey, C. (2019). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (10th ed.). Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.