Counselors as Companions and Ethics in Human Services

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accustomed to or it be of a more miniscule way. I believe that this is just the way life is; a continuous cycle of learning and improving or honing in on our process of thinking. Due to the varying degrees of life situations and the caliber of people that I will encounter, it is easy to say that most instances won’t be exactly the same as another. Although, I could very well benefit in learning new things from people’s personal experiences and use those learned things to not only grow but to also apply towards future experiences with clients with similar obstacles and endeavors in life, as did Robert Halstead with Steve.

In reviewing the Human Service Professional’s Responsibility to Clients, I identified several ethical issues that may lead me as human services professional to review the ethical standards and how I can resolve any ethical concerns. Among these standards I discovered that although most come across as common sense being familiar with ethical standards, all are pertinent in the proper handling of clients in the Human Services profession. It is of utmost importance that if it is “suspected that danger or harm may occur to the client or to others as a result of the client’s behavior, the human services professional acts in an appropriate and professional manner to protect the safety of these individuals. This may involve seeking consultation, supervision, and or breaking the confidentiality of the relationship” (Ethical standards for human service professionals (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org).

In the reading, Steve suffered through intense life situations that unfortunately lead to him becoming deeply depressed. “He seriously began to consider ending his life. The intensity and frequency of his suicidal thoughts frightened him” (Halstead, R. W., 2000, January, From Tragedy to Triumph: Counselor as Companion on the Hero’s Journey). As a human services professional, I would consider gaining my client’s trust one of the most important goals to achieve. In Steve’s depressed and suicidal state, however, I would be forced to take further action to protect his safety and in upholding my responsibilities in accordance with the ethical code.

Steve most definitely changed as a result of the relationship that evolved between him and the counselor. When Steve first sought help from the counselor, he was weary, tired and desperately in need of a resolution. Currently, Steve is an accomplished graduate in computer science that used his personal life’s struggles to help enhance the lives and situational ease of those that have similar struggles. Steve did this by creating a rehabilitation software. “This software program is now in the final stages of pilot testing at two rehabilitation hospitals, and Steve is in the process of setting up his own company to make this software available to rehabilitation facilities nationwide” (Halstead, R. W., 2000, January, From Tragedy to Triumph: Counselor as Companion on the Hero’s Journey).