What ethical principles should a counsellor be following?
Any reputable organisation should have a statement of ethical practice. The BACPs Ethical Framework for Good Practice focuses on five main principles: • Fidelity: honouring the trust placed in the practitioner. • Autonomy: respect for the client’s right to be self-governing. • Beneficence: a commitment to promoting the client’s well-being. • Non-maleficence: a commitment to avoiding harm to the client. • Justice: the fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the provision of adequate services. How do I work as a counsellor? • I am a member of the BACP and adhere to its Ethical Framework. • I understand other models, and sometimes use them when they are appropriate, but my focus is on humanistic therapy. This sort of therapy emphasises human goodness, creativity, growth, choice and wholeness and focuses on the person in the here and now. • Your first appointment will involve an assessment of your personal needs for counselling. You will build up an idea of what is involved and you
