Introduction
As far as counseling is concerned, it should be known that it is human nature to have different opinions. This is based on the fact that there have been different positions that have been taken based on the issue of value neutrality. In this case, there are people who argue that counselors should not express their values or even criticize clients (Fretz, 2001, p. 46). Mostly, this is as far as their behavior is concerned.
On the other hand, there are other professionals who argue that expressing moral judgment is acceptable and therefore appropriate. Clients always come to see counselors with different problems and the issue of value neutrality always determines the outcome of counseling on such individuals.
When a client is criticized for his behavior, he/she might think that he is being judged which is not good. Other clients will not have a problem when counselors express their moral judgment because they might take it positively (Blackburn, 2001, p. 23). This implies that both instances can have different implications when looked at from an ethical decision making perspective and point of view.
Discussion
It is acceptable for a counselor to remain value neutral about various issues. These issues can revolve around child abuse, abortion, domestic violence, adultery, suicide and others. It should be known that we are all obligated to remain neutral on various issues. This means that we should not pass judgment to anybody more so as far as clients are concerned.
Clients have different principles that guide them and this means that they will always stand by them no matter what. In this case, it therefore implies that a good counselor should always be self aware as time goes by. The aspect of self awareness should be the focus because clients’ principles will be the turning point (Blackburn, 2001, p. 31).
Counselors are supposed to develop effective competencies that will enhance their work as time goes by. This will help in the provision of effective counseling services to different and diverse clients.
In a broad perspective, a counselor can remain value neutral about issues because everything begins with the awareness of their own assumptions, values and different biases (Lent, 2008, p. 72). For clients to be satisfied with the services that counselors are offering them there should accommodation of diverse arguments and opinions. As far as this aspect is concerned, counselors should be able to confront their own albeism.
This is because it can make them hold different expectations of clients that they are going to deal with. When this is not dealt with effectively, it will ultimately hinder different clients’ ability to reach their full potential.
Counselors are faced with different and diverse problems that are based on individual client needs (Blackburn, 2001, p. 69). This means that a counselor who is faced with these issues has different options. Most notably, there is brainstorming and referral of cases among counselors that can help to sort out complex issues.
Conclusion
When somebody is confronted by complex issues, there is always a way by which they can be sorted out. In this case, counselors can approach the dilemma based on the principles that their profession stands for. Decision making plays an important role in solving complex issues in any profession and counselors should be equipped with good skills for long term sustainability (Blackburn, 2001, p. 47).
There are various factors that might make a counselor refer a client. Ethical issues and the complexity of the problem that is being dealt with are some of the most notable factors that have always led to referrals. Multiple causes towards a problem might require a lot of brainstorming which will therefore lead to referrals.
If referral is not an option, it means that the counselor should come up with a viable solution (Lent, 2008, p. 93). In this case, it will be necessary for the counselor to look at different and available alternatives that will help in problem solving.
Reference List
Blackburn, S. (2001). Being good: A short introduction to ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Fretz, B. (2001). Counseling Psychology. New York: Brooks Cole.
Lent, R. (2008). Handbook of Counseling Psychology. New York: Wiley