Critically evaluate the importance of boundaries and ethics in counselling with reference to BACP code of ethics and practice to include a discussion around issues of confidentiality in relation to personal values, beliefs and ethical legal constraints.

This essay will look at why boundaries and ethics are important, taking into account the ‘British Association for counselling and Psychotherapy’. I will look at BACP’s ethical framework, and to explain why this is so important to guide practice. Ethical Dilemmas' faced during practice, taking into consideration my own personal values and beliefs.
Values inform principles. They represent an important way of expressing a general ethical commitment that becomes more precisely defined and action- orientated when expressed as a principle (BACP).
Ethical framework provides a good standard of practice and care. All clients are entitled to a good standard of practice and care. There are Limitations to a counsellors training and experience, therefore the counsellor would need to work within these limits. Professional support to the counsellor should be taken advantage off.
The principle of self-respect is therefore crucial for the counsellor’s personal development, self-knowledge and care for self. There is an ethical responsibility to use supervision. Supervision enhances good practice by practitioners, to protect clients from poor practice and acquire skills, attitudes and knowledge required for the practitioner role.
Practitioners, who adopt fidelity as a principle within their practice, strive to ensure that client’s expectations are ones that have reasonable prospects that can be met. A client may place their trust in the practitioner therefore the practitioner would regard confidentiality as an obligation arising from the clients trust. The beginning phase of a counselling relationship is dominated by the counselling contract, producing a mutual agreement between a client and counsellor to commence a therapeutic relationship. Practitioners also have a duty to ensure a fair provision of counselling. A commitment to fairness requires the ability to appreciate differences between people, to be committed to equality and promote anti-discriminatory practice. This principle of justice requires the practitioner to respect human rights and dignity. The principle of justice directs attention to considering conscientiously any legal requirements and obligations, and remaining aware of potential conflicts between legal and ethical obligations.
To promote a client’s wellbeing (Beneficence), the practitioner has a commitment to act in the best interests of the client. Knowing one’s limits of competence and working strictly within these limits is certainly beneficial to the client. Professional development through supervisions enhances the quality of the services a practitioner will provide to the client.
To develop a client’s ability to be self- directing in therapy and everyday situations, the counsellor would need to have respect for the client’s right to be self-governing. Practitioners who respect the client’s right to be self-governing (autonomy), ensure accuracy in any information given, and in advance of any services offered ; seek freely given and adequately informed consent; emphasize the value of voluntary participation in the services being offered. Practitioners working with this principle engage in explicit contracting in advance of any commitment by the client; protect privacy and confidentiality. The practitioner normally makes any disclosures of confidential information conditional on the consent of the person concerned.
A practitioner has an ethical responsibility to prevent harm to a client. This can involve avoiding sexual, emotional or any other form of client exploitation. This can also include not breaking confidentiality. A practitioner should hold appropriate insurance which assists in restitution. Practitioners have the responsibility where