Counselors' Values Profile: Implications for Counseling Ethnic Minority Clients

Abstract

The authors review the empirical literature on counselors' values, describe values salient to the 4 largest ethnic minority groups in the United States, identify similarities and differences between counselors' values and those of the minority groups, and discuss implications for counseling ethnically different clients. Understanding counselors' values can lead to an examination of how these values may affect the counseling process, particularly when clients are from ethnic minority groups that may espouse differing cultural values.

Buddhist Perspectives for Addressing Values Conflicts in Counseling: Possibilities From Practice

“…Counseling professionals have long acknowledged that clients and counselors bring their worldview and belief systems to the counseling relationship. Consoli, Kim, and Meyer () defined values as overarching concepts that operate on many dimensions, serving as principles that guide the practices of professional counselors as well as their mental health values—beliefs and ideologies. In multicultural counseling perspectives, the cultural and contextual dimension of competent practice requires counselors to have awareness, knowledge, and skills to find ways to work effectively with clients (Sue & Sue, ).…”

Race and Ethnicity: An 11‐Year Content Analysis of Counseling and Values

“…Religion and spirituality have provided people of color with opportunities to develop connectedness, and to organize political and civic activities; they have also given these individuals coping skills for overcoming and withstanding oppressive forces (Akiba & Coll, 2004). Because of this and the belief that counseling is not completely value free, there has been a growing interest in the unique counseling needs of ethnic minorities (Consoli, Kim, & Meyer, 2008). It is also important for counselors to be aware of how their views and values differ from members of ethnic minority groups to ensure that they are using culturally appropriate interventions.…”

The Effect of Personal Values, Organizational Values, and Person-Organization Fit on Ethical Behaviors and Organizational Commitment Outcomes among Substance Abuse Counselors

“…Moreover, there is even a greater scarcity of research that examines how personal values and organizational values of substance abuse treatment facilities impact both ethical work behavior and commitment among substance abuse counselors. In general, the counseling profession in the past believed that counseling was a value-free endeavor, but more recently scholars have begun to explore values related to counseling (Consoli, Kim, & Meyer, 2008). Kelly (1990) challenged the assumption of neutrality by conducting a review of literature regarding the interactions of clients' and counselors' values.…”

“…Taking responsible actions and making ethical choices can encounter stumbling blocks such as ignorance, lack of motivation and courage, and inability to cognitively and intellectually negotiate the best courses of action (Hartman & DesJardins, 2008). The task of counselors when making ethical choices is further complicated by the fact that the therapeutic process is value laden, which can influence diagnoses, treatment goals, evaluation, and perceived treatment outcomes (Consoli et al, 2008;Rosik, 2003).…”

“…Moreover, these choices may be based on counselors' own personal values systems (Consoli et al, 2008;Rosik, 2003). In contrast, working in professional environments can present challenges that require perceived risks.…”