Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Which principle of ethical counseling indicates that a counselor should not cause harm?

1. Autonomy

2. Beneficence

3. Nonmaleficence

4. Justice

The correct answer is: Nonmaleficence

The principle that indicates a counselor should not cause harm is Nonmaleficence. This ethical principle is grounded in the idea of avoiding actions that can harm clients. In the context of counseling, this involves being mindful of the potential negative impacts of a counselor's actions, words, and interventions, and striving to minimize any risk of psychological, emotional, or physical injury to clients. Nonmaleficence requires counselors to maintain a commitment to do no harm in their practice. This encompasses various aspects, including making ethical decisions, maintaining professional boundaries, and being aware of the potential consequences of therapeutic interventions. By adhering to this principle, counselors prioritize the safety and well-being of their clients in all aspects of their work. In contrast, while Autonomy pertains to the client's right to make their own choices, Beneficence focuses on the obligation to act in the client's best interests, and Justice relates to fairness and equality in treatment, none of these specifically emphasize the avoidance of harm in the way that Nonmaleficence does. Thus, the principle of Nonmaleficence directly addresses the importance of safeguarding clients from harm, making it the correct answer in this context.