Value Neutrality

Value Neutrality

The American Counseling Association's (ACA) Code of Ethics concentrating on the primary responsibility of the counselor to do no harm to persons served (ACA, 2005). The ethics codes also address the counselor's responsibility to value the dignity of the client and promote his or her welfare. The use of verbal and written informed consent in each code helps the client to understand the nature and process of counseling and aids in respecting client diversity (ACA, 2005). The purpose of the 2005 American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA) is to aid members in establishing an ethical counseling practice. " The mission of the American Counseling Association is to enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity" (ACA, 2005).

The most important traits any counselor is competence. Much attention is placed on competence in The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA). Addressed in ethic codes are boundaries, consultations, and continuing education in regard to competence. ACA ethical code states if a counselor cannot practice within his or her competence, they should consult a more competent counselor, a fellow colleague or superior; however, the ACA places a huge emphasis on the matter and is more comprehensive.

By becoming value free it can produce objective and impartial knowledge without any biasness to solve social problems. For example, if a therapist is needed to explain social stratification, it can provide answers without any intervention from external forces that may use it to fulfill their own interest. Therapist needs to be value free to increase human capacity and his or her ability to solve problems. For example, one may say that the reason for why there has been an increase in the rate of sexual assault is that woman these days wear attires that are not appropriate. This claim has an element of biasness in it. Feminists may argue this claim to a certain extent put all the blame on women. One must be freed from any values for his claim or arguments to be accepted by all parties.

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism has a major impact on my personal values. My mother is an alcoholic. She thought there was nothing wrong with her drinking. She started out on weekends and then notices it became a daily habit. One weekend we went to a festival. It was hot outside and I was by myself with no one to play with. She was just having a blast drinking with her friends. It was time to go and "of course" my mother was intoxicated and we had no one else to drive so she drove us to my aunt house that was about 30 minutes from the festival. I was so scared of her reckless driving that once she got close enough I jumped out the car and walk to my aunt house. She was furious about my action, but