DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES

Quarter 1-MODULE 3

LESSON 1: VALUE RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES OF COUNSELORS

Being honest is usually the cornerstone of trust and confidence in any relationship that we form. And as we practice honesty in a
wide field of professionalism, especially in counseling, it becomes a valuable asset for change and development of the learner. Counselors,
just like psychologists and psychiatrists, follow a strict code of confidentiality and honesty in their work precisely because they work with
people. Counselors listen attentively to the needs of their counselee and set boundaries of confidentiality which both of them must follow.
In this way, they protect each other.
Valuing Rights of Individuals, Professional Responsibilities and
Accountabilities of Counselors

Professional counselors must always observe utmost respect for their counselee, not just because they are in authority, but also
because the counselee has sought help from them. The counselees’ vulnerability is already a signal that they are incapable of handling
themselves. And when it comes to sensitive matters, counselors build an atmosphere of comfort and security for their clients. This
atmosphere is the very reason why some distraught learners share their problems and needs. The atmosphere of protection and integrity
give them a sense of security. The confidentiality and protection of the “self” comes first in the mind of a counselor. And as counselors
venture to the counselee’s problem, they must commit in giving importance/value to the rights of individuals and demonstrate
accountability.
Respecting the rights and dignity of every person. Professional counselors must bear in mind that each individual is unique.
No matter how unruly the behavior of an individual is, he or she deserves to be treated fairly, to be listened to about what he or she thinks
and feels, and to be respected.
Respecting the client’s rights as self-governing individual.
Counselors feel responsible for the welfare of their clients. However, counselors must also remember that their clients have the capacity to
help themselves and are capable of making choices on how to do it. Therefore, counselors must communicate trust to their clients to
encourage maturity and sense of responsibility, even outside the counseling session.

Being committed to the client’s well-being. Professional counselors demonstrate dedication to their work by showing concern
to their client during counseling session and even after the session.

Observing fairness to all the clients by providing equal opportunity to everyone who has availed of the counseling service.
Counselors do not only provide counseling to few and selected groups, but they accommodate individuals from all walks of life regardless
of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status; whether they are students or professionals. The counselor must render services to
whoever is willing and interested to be helped professionally.

Enhancing the quality of their professional knowledge and application. Counselors provide quality service by keeping
themselves updated on issues and trends in their profession. Counselors must continuously attend conferences and conventions or enroll in
advanced studies. They must also join professional organizations aimed at developing their competencies.

Being responsive to the society. Counselors collaborate with other members of the community to provide the best services for
their clients. They work hand in hand with the parents, teachers, school administrators and other stakeholders to further help the students.
Activity 1.1. Situational Analysis
Objective: Determine the right of clients in each situation.
Directions:
Identify what right is violated in the given situations.
Write your answer on the space provided
Situation 1
Counselor Joey focuses only on counseling the rich and middle class individuals in his private clinic. He sometimes begs off if he finds
the client poor or has nothing to give.
Right Violated: _____________________
Situation 2
At Holy Angel University in Pampanga, counselor Marjorie oftentimes, treats her clients ordinarily. She has been hearing the same old
problems of her student for 10 years that she automatically nods to everything she hears, without even really listening to her clients.
Rights Violated: _____________________

Situation 3
Carlotta has been a counselor for 12 years but did not bother to pursue Master’s degree or even attend seminars. She points out that the
only service she needs to render is to listen and give advice to her students.
Rights Violated: _____________________
Situation 4
Michael was having academic problem especially with his course subject chemistry 101. He tried to visit the guidance and counseling
center, but was rejected by his counselor because accordingly, only serious issues and cases are accommodated. He was advised to get a
tutor for his subject course or take the alternative course the next year.
Rights Violated: _____________________
Situation 5
The institute of Arts and Sciences asked counselor Marvin to create and implement a guidance program for career and drug prevention.
Marvin set up a freedom board to gather information and perception of the students as a whole about their career and their knowledge of
drugs. He also set up some survey questionnaires and fish-bowl interviews for each class in the different levels. Rights Violated:
_____________________
Activity 1.2. Value Lists of a Counselor

Objective: Value rights of counselors and counselee in different settings.

Directions: Complete the chart about the rights, responsibilities, and accountabilities of a counselor. Follow the example provided.

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 knowledge and

Being responsive to
the client’s well-being
Respecting the rights

in availing counseling
Fairness and equality
and dignity of every

Professional
Being committed to

application

the society
services
person
Suggestion
Ex. School Do not disclose Must have They must have Attend seminars Be an advocate Make a
Bullying the names of care for both equal or create in speaking the comprehensive
those involved in parties, the opportunity to be programs for the holistic and program in bullying
bullying. bullied and counseled. prevention of psychological and involve parents
the one who bullying problem of and other stake
bullies. bullying holders in creating
the program.

1. Career orientation

2. Smoking inside
the campus

3. Bringing prohibited
drugs in school

4. Vandalism

5. Poor academic
performance

6. Covid -19 program

information
dissemination

7. Poor hygiene habits

8. Speech deficiencies

9. Frequent
absenteeism

10.Depression

LESSON 2: ETHICAL CONSIDERATION IN COUNSELING

Guidance and Counseling is a profession that allows you to help others manage their responses to life’s challenges. It is a career
opportunity to assist others in developing their potential and to encourage personal growth and learning. Counselors are guided by principles to
be able to fully discharge service to those who are availing. These are incorporated in the code of ethics (Guidance and Counseling of 2004).

Usually when you are part of a company, or profession that you have chosen, you need to create your own behavior to adjust to the
changing environment that you are placed on. And this is true to all professionals; even teachers must have an attitude/behavior of a second
parent to their learners. Counselors must treat their counselee with utmost care and compassion because their profession compels them to do
so. Counselors adhere to ethical principles, so as to guide them in their pursuit for professionalism and in the performance of their practice.

Confidentiality. This principle states that counselees have the right to privacy in working with his or her counselor (Hutchinson, 2014). All
information shared by the counselee, including his or her identity, must be kept secret. This means that the counselor should not divulge any
information and protect all documents about the counselee. There is an exception to this rule. If this entails public safety and public concern,
let’s say, threat to life of the counselee (potential suicidal) the counselor has an obligation to report the threat.

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Client Welfare. It is the counselor’s primary responsibility to protect the welfare of the clients. Hence, if the identified needs of the
counselee are beyond the expertise of the counselor, then the counselor, must refer the client to another professional. As such, counselor
must be knowledgeable about cultural and clinically appropriate sources of referral which they may suggest to the counselee.
Informed consent. Counselors requires counselee to waive or inform the clients of the overview of the sessions, and this includes the whole
process of the counseling. Explaining the step-by-step process and the risks involved (information divulge, policies and the rights of the
counselee to withdraw) provides options for the counselee to see possible outcomes or alternatives whether to push through or not.
Relationship with Clients. This principle is all about boundaries and limitations that may arise on the relationship of the client and
counselor. This also pertains within or outside of the counseling session. The counselor must be aware and be bound by the ethics of
professional relationship with clients. Counselors should not be engaged in any personal relationship with the clients. Since clients tend to be
vulnerable and helpless at times, they become dependent on and see the counselor as a companion. No matter how emotionally vulnerable
the clients are, counselors must set professional limits.
Professionalism. A professional counselor should clarify with the client the type of activities other than counseling which will be utilized to
address the pressing concerns, the techniques, and counseling procedures that will be employed and the sort of payment that is expected to
be paid if working in a private setting. As a professional individual, the limitations of confidentiality must also be clarified to the counselee.
Activity 1.3: Situational Analysis
Objective: Determine the ethical consideration of counselors for every situation provided.
Directions:
1.Identify the ethical consideration being violated in each situation.

2.Write the answer and explanation on the space provided.

Situations Ethical Consideration

1. After the session, Counselor Mark and his client Jane,

took an evening dinner at the nearby restaurant.

2. Counselor Delvin works with the government as a school

counselor. He also supervises the testing area for soldiers and
broadcasts if the soldier or student has some psychological
problems.

3. Alyssa was not properly informed about the whole process of

the counseling session. She was not also allowed to cancel the
session.

4. Ogie is a guidance counselor and at the same time, has a part

time job of selling psychological tests in other schools.

5. Reggie knows fully the extent of the problem of his client.

He even prescribes medicines to his client who has difficulty
sleeping despite having no medical degree or medical license.

6. Counselor Norman has special feelings for his client Fely.

Despite this, he still insists on conducting counseling session
with her.

Activity 1.4 A Future Counselor’s Dilemma

Objective: Determine the dilemma for each ethical consideration
Directions: Below is a table in which the Ethical Principles are provided. Your task is to provide a situation that violates the
given principle. Write your answer on the space provided.

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 Ethical Principle Situation
1. Confidentiality

2. Relationship with Clients

3. Professionalism

4. Client Welfare

5. Informed Consent

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