Traditional counseling ethics is an integral part of the given field, where it outlines an essential element of proper professional conduct. However, it is not perfect, which means that it might dismiss major issues, such as systemic oppression. The code can be antagonistic towards lifestyles, cultural values, and sociopolitical experiences of marginalized clients. I have experienced that the Rehabilitation Counseling Code of Ethics exhibited a certain form of mismatch with my friends, where the law was the sole predicament for resolution. The document should include ethical considerations for the oppressed groups in regard to cultural appropriateness. My response in the past would be in favor of the law because I was not fully aware of the cultural aspects of counseling.
One of my closest friends had an unpleasant experience during his counseling process, where he needed an approach that considers his cultural environment. However, this person received a general procedure, where no consideration was given to his racial context. He grew up in a systemically oppressed neighborhood where issues, such as police brutality and structural discrimination, are taking place. These issues led to some mental health impairments, which needed solutions based on his individual condition, but the friend’s treatment did not consider the underlying factors.
If I were a member of the team, contributing to the Rehabilitation Counseling Code of Ethics, I would include points in Section L: Resolving Ethical Issues. The novelties would address the prevalence of systemic oppression and racism as driving factors for mental health issues within these marginalized communities and groups. For example, an elevated level of anxiety and fear due to police brutality might be recognized in the code. It is important to understand and assess a client’s needs in accordance with their lifestyle and sociopolitical experiences.
My friend is always interested in the counseling process’s main pillar, such as the code’s priorities. It is evident that the Rehabilitation Counseling Code of Ethics upholds laws higher than ethical matters, and the former may not always be as just and fair as they seem to. The recent event highlighted how systemic oppression unequally affects African Americans, where police are less reluctant to express and exhibit aggression toward the given group. Therefore, I feel that the code is too general and lacks depth in the last section for resolving ethical issues.
In the past, my views were immature and shallow because I always considered that the current system was fair and equal towards all groups. However, through the course, I learned various aspects of multicultural counseling and the fact that biases and stereotypes can be highly detrimental within the therapeutic processes. Now, I know the intricacies of the subject, and thus, I understand that the code and modern practices are not perfect and need adjustments to the structural problems, such as systemic oppression. Therefore, in the future, I will operate with more caution and comprehension of various aspects of multicultural counseling.
In conclusion, one should be aware of the implications of lacking sufficient understanding of all elements of multicultural counseling, where marginalized groups and people of color can both experience and express biases and stereotypical thinking. Similar to the example of my friend, the traditional counseling process lacks a thorough and in-depth consideration of the key factors, such as lifestyle, cultural specificities, and sociopolitical forces. All of these components can create hindrances for the treatment if they are not included as influencing factors.