WHAT ARE THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF COUNSELLING?

The seven principles of counselling are a set of ethical guidelines that are designed to ensure that counsellors provide all of their clients with the highest level of care and professionalism. The seven principles are as follows:  

Responsibility: Counsellors have a responsibility to maintain the standards of the profession, and to make sure that their work is of high quality, relevant and effective.

Veracity: it is vital that counsellors are truthful and transparent in their interactions with clients and avoid misleading or deceptive behaviour.

Fidelity: counsellors must maintain a high level of professionalism and integrity in their relationships with clients. This includes honesty and transparency, maintaining confidentiality and avoiding conflicts of interest. 

Justice: Counsellors must treat all clients fairly and equitably, without discrimination or bias and be sure to provide services that are both appropriate and relevant to the needs of their clients. 

Beneficence: Counsellors should always act in the best interests of their clients and be sure to always promote their mental health and well-being. 

Non-maleficence: counsellors should always prioritise their clients’ well-being and safety, and should avoid doing harm.

Respect for client autonomy: the counsellor should respect their clients’ autonomy and independence – clients have the right to make their own decisions and choices regarding their lives. 

These principles are put in place to guide the ethical and professional conduct of counsellors and to help ensure that clients receive the highest level of care and support. It is vital for counsellors to understand and adhere to these principles in order to provide ethical and effective counselling services.