Ethical issues faced when counseling oppressed populations

Psychologists are aware of cultural, individual, and role differences, including those due to age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status. Psychologists try to eliminate the effect of their work of biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone unfair discriminatory practices. (APA, 1992, pp. 1599-1600)

The American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, and other professional mental health associations affirm that counselors should be aware of the prevailing community standards and of the possible impact on their practice of deviation from these standards. Ethical standards are created to help professionals identify ethical issues in practice and provide guidelines to determine what is ethically acceptable and unacceptable behavior (Reamer, 1998). Ethical issues are frequently intertwined, which makes it imperative that counselors not only follow the codes of ethics of their profession but that they also know their state¡¦s laws and their legal boundaries and responsibilities. For counselors, a thorough grounding in ethical issue

„h Identify potential issues. Evaluate the rights, responsibilities, and welfare of all those who are involved in the situation.

„h Learn a process for thinking about and dealing with ethical dilemmas, keeping in mind that most ethical issues are complex and defy simple solutions. The willingness to seek consultation is a sign of professional maturity.

Being a diversity competent counselor is more complex than simply respecting other people. Counselors must also be able to understand the differences between people. The ACA (1995) code of ethics puts it this way:

„h Know the applicable laws and regulations. It is essential to determine whether any laws or regulations have a bearing on the ethical dilemma.

Ethical standards and codes for counselors, psychologists, and social workers appear in many forms from each of the major mental health professional organizations (Corey, Corey, & Callahan, 1998). Some of the relevant codes of ethics include the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice from the American Counseling Association, 1995, and the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct from the American Psychological Association, 1995 (Corey, Corey, & Callahan, 1998). The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics is the most visible compilation of the profession¡¦s ethical standards (Reamer, 1998). Many mental health professionals now emphasize social action by exerting their influence against discrimination of minorities and oppressed groups. The fundamental purpose of helping professions is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty (NASW, 1999). In sum, counselors are discovering that to bring about significant individual change they cannot ignore the major social ills that often create and intensify problems for individuals. Counselors must become active agents of constructive social change (Corey, 2001).

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