Attitudes and Beliefs

Benchmark Attitudes and Beliefs Reflection Paper
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Abstract
The American Counseling Association's (ACA) 2014 Code of Ethics emphasizes counselors' self-awareness of their values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in therapy. This reflection study examines ACA Standard A.4.b, which requires counselors to respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants without imposing opposing views. Three Attitudes & Beliefs Inventory situations elicit powerful reactions and challenge the paper's deeply held values and beliefs. It examines how personal convictions affect ethical counseling methods in depth. The study describes the first discomfort and struggles when faced with events that conflict with deeply held ideals in the "Reaction" section. Personal, societal, and educational factors cause these reactions. The "Response" section discusses how family and formal education shaped the counselor's ethical foundation. It emphasizes the need to balance personal principles with ACA ethics. The "Action" section describes a personal and professional growth plan to address the conflict between personal ideals and counseling settings. This plan includes self-reflection, supervision, cultural competence training, intercultural experiences, continued education, and peer support. The research shows that self-awareness and harmonizing personal ideals with counseling ethics are crucial. Self-reflection and professional growth enable counselors to provide ethical, client-centered, diversity-respecting, ACA-compliant counseling. This journey toward personal convictions and ethical conduct encourages ethical therapy that respects clients' rich diversity and individual needs.
Keywords: ACA, Ethics, Attitudes, Beliefs, counseling,
Benchmark Attitudes and Beliefs Reflection Paper
Introduction
The American Counseling Association's (ACA) 2014 Code of Ethics, especially Standard A.4.b, guides counselors through the complex field. Counselors must carefully navigate the delicate terrain of personal values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to avoid imposing conflicting convictions on clients while honoring the rich tapestry of diversity among clients, trainees, and research participants. This reflection paper examines these ethical mandates and counselors' and trainees' self-discovery. Three Attitudes & Views Inventory situations can evoke strong feelings and challenge our core views as we explore personal values and beliefs. To ensure ethical counseling practices, we will examine our initial reactions, core values and beliefs, and personal and professional growth in the following sections. This paper will reveal the complicated relationship between our inner world and clients' different needs as we practice ethical and client-centered counseling.
Reaction
The Attitudes & Beliefs Inventory's three evaluation items elicited strong reactions and serious thinking. The first example, an 18-year-old student processing her abortion, made me uncomfortable. I understood the necessity of non-judgmental support and counseling, but my thoughts about abortion's complexity made me stop. My upbringing taught me personal responsibility and that one should always prevent unwanted pregnancies. My initial uneasiness stemmed from my attempt to reconcile my ideas about appropriate sexual behavior with the reality that clients may experience difficult situations that lead to abortion.
A student and family demonstrating racial inferiority in the second scenario aroused intense disagreement and discomfort. This emotion was quick and intense because it opposed my sincerely held principles of equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. I learned to admire and respect people from all backgrounds, growing up in a varied atmosphere and obtaining a diverse education. Confronting overt racial discrimination went against my belief in human equality regardless of race or nationality.
The third scenario, a 16-year-old kid participating in dangerous sexual behavior and accepting it, also bothered me. I was first motivated by my conviction in comprehensive sexual education and appropriate behavior. I was taught that safe sex practices were essential for health and well-being, and the concept that a young person would disregard them created safety and decision-making issues. This reply showed the conflict between my belief in education and responsible behavior and the need for non-judgmental therapy to help clients make decisions.
These initial reactions result from my values and ideas colliding with clients' complex and diverse realities in the counseling room. My beliefs were influenced by my childhood, culture, and education, yet I know I must negotiate these reactions in counseling. These experiences remind me of self-awareness and self-reflection's significance in preventing my personal opinions from hindering my client-centered counseling.
Response
Introspection and contemplation revealed that my background and education shaped my values and ideas. These fundamentals have shaped my ethical wo...