Identifying Core Counselling Ethics

Ethical practice is fundamental to counselling. Key ethical principles ensure the client's well-being and the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. Based on the options, the core ethics identified are:

• A. Trustworthiness: This involves building a reliable relationship with the client, primarily through confidentiality and consistency. Clients need to feel safe and believe their disclosures will be kept private.
• C. Autonomy: This principle respects the client's right to self-determination. Counsellors empower clients to make their own choices and decisions about their lives, without coercion or undue influence.
• D. Justice: This refers to fairness and equity in the provision of services. Counsellors should offer services without discrimination based on factors like race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status.

Recognising Unethical Counselling Approaches

Certain approaches deviate from ethical counselling standards:

• B. Directing: This involves telling clients what to do or making decisions for them. It undermines client autonomy and is generally considered unethical, as counselling focuses on facilitating client self-discovery.
• E. Moralising: This occurs when a counsellor imposes their personal moral beliefs or values onto the client. Ethical counselling requires neutrality regarding the client's values and lifestyle choices, respecting their individual beliefs.

Therefore, the primary ethics in counselling among the choices are Trustworthiness, Autonomy, and Justice.