Being A Potential Counselor

Being a potential counselor, I would have addressed the situation between the psychiatrist, counselor and client differently. Understanding that the client was not complying with the treatment goals to reduce her substance use, the helper could have initially explored the issues that were hindering her progress in treatment along with revealing her emotions about the struggles. After considering the reasons of the client’s challenges, the helper could have then started introducing the idea of a substance abuse program. In continuation, the exploration process would begin again to give the client an opportunity to process and reflect about the program idea. As it is always recommended to strengthen and sustain a therapeutic relationship with

As a potential helper, it is my role to acknowledge and respect the client’s freedom to choose their own direction. By respecting this right, it allows the client the opportunity to make their own decisions without the constraints of others, including those of their counselor as well. Unfortunately the helper only took into consideration the suggestion of the psychiatrist and dismissed this right of the client’s when prearrangements were made for rehabilitation. Although participating in the agency's substance abuse program would have been the ideal step for the client, the client should have been part of the decision making for the next step of her treatment goal. Not only does autonomy give awareness of their choices taken, but it also sustains the condition of the therapeutic relationship as well. Since the client was upset and rejected the arrangement, clearly 6 months of hard efforts were damaged between the counselor and client. On the other hand, it would seem reasonable to violate the right of autonomy and confidentiality, if the client stated they were to hurt themselves or another person. In this case, it would be the responsibility of the counselor to engage to “duty to warn”. If this was the circumstance, therefore, the counselor would be practicing the ethical principle of