1.2. Outline how values and beliefs could have an effect on helping relationships

This guide will help you answer 1.2. Outline how values and beliefs could have an effect on helping relationships.

Understanding one’s values and beliefs is essential for practising effective counselling. These components shape your worldview and influence how you interact with clients. To explore this, we’ll look into what values and beliefs are, how they affect helping relationships, and ways to manage their influence professionally.

What Are Values and Beliefs?

Values are principles or standards of behaviour you consider important. They guide your decisions and actions. For example, you might value honesty, empathy, or respect.

Beliefs are convictions or acceptances that certain things are true or real, often without evidence. They stem from cultural, religious, and personal experiences. For instance, you might believe in the inherent goodness of people or the importance of family.

The Influence of Values and Beliefs on Helping Relationships

Shaping Perceptions

Values and beliefs shape how you see the world and your clients. For instance:

• If you value independence, you might favour clients taking action on their own.
• Believing in a higher power could influence how you view clients’ struggles and solutions.

Such perceptions yield both benefits and challenges in counselling.

Strengthening Rapport

Shared values and beliefs can foster:

• Trust
• Understanding
• Mutual respect

These elements are pillars of a strong helping relationship. They make clients feel seen and understood, enhancing the therapeutic alliance.

Implicit Bias

Conversely, unexamined values and beliefs could lead to implicit bias. This bias manifests unconsciously and affects:

• Judgement
• Decision-making
• Interaction with clients

For instance, if you believe self-reliance is essential, you might undervalue a client’s expressed need for support.

Communication Styles

Your communication style reflects your values and beliefs. A counsellor who values directness may struggle with clients preferring a more indirect communication style. This mismatch can create misunderstandings or tension.

Managing Values and Beliefs in Counselling

Self-Reflection

Regular self-reflection helps identify and understand your values and beliefs. Ask yourself:

• What are my core values?
• Which beliefs shape my worldview?
• How do these influence my counselling approach?

Supervision and Feedback

Engage in supervision and seek feedback to:

• Assess how your values and beliefs affect your work.
• Gain an external perspective.
• Challenge unhelpful biases.

Supervisors can offer valuable insights and methods to manage these influences.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Participate in CPD activities to:

• Stay informed about best practices.
• Learn new techniques to mitigate personal biases.
• Deepen your understanding of diverse perspectives and cultures.

Case Examples

Let’s consider practical scenarios where values and beliefs impact helping relationships.

Case 1: Personal Beliefs about Addiction

Imagine a counsellor who believes addiction is primarily a moral failing. This belief could:

• Lead to judgemental attitudes.
• Impact the ability to provide empathetic support.
• Hinder the development of a non-judgmental, supportive environment.

Case 2: Value of Self-Reliance

A counsellor highly valuing self-reliance might:

• Encourage clients to solve problems independently.
• Overlook clients’ needs for external support.
• Cause clients to feel misunderstood or unsupported.

Strategies for Effective Management

Awareness and Acceptance

Acknowledge your values and beliefs without judgement. Acceptance allows you to:

• Recognise when they influence your work.
• Separate your personal views from professional responsibilities.

Setting Boundaries

Establish clear boundaries between:

• Personal opinions.
• Professional obligations.

This separation ensures that your values and beliefs do not overshadow the client’s needs and perspectives.

Adopting a Client-Centred Approach

Focus on the client’s values and beliefs. This approach involves:

• Active listening.
• Validating the client’s experiences and perspectives.
• Adapting techniques to align with the client’s worldview, rather than imposing your own.

Final Thoughts

Values and beliefs play a significant role in shaping how counsellors interact with clients. While they can strengthen rapport and understanding, they can also introduce bias and miscommunication. Through self-reflection, supervision, and continuous development, counsellors can manage the impact of their values and beliefs effectively. By adopting a client-centred approach and maintaining professional boundaries, counsellors can ensure that their interactions support and empower their clients, fostering healthy, productive helping relationships.

Example answers for 1.2. Outline how values and beliefs could have an effect on helping relationships

Example Answer 1

Understanding my own values and beliefs is essential in my role as a support worker. For instance, I value honesty highly and believe in always being truthful with my clients. This value guides my interactions and helps build trust, but I have to be careful not to be overly blunt, as it might hurt someone’s feelings. Honesty must be balanced with empathy to maintain a supportive relationship. To effectively navigate this balance, it is important to identify your personal values and how they impact your work as a support worker. Understanding my own values allows me to recognize when there may be a conflict between my beliefs and those of my clients, and to adapt my approach accordingly. This self-awareness is crucial in providing the best possible support and care for the individuals I work with.

Example Answer 2

My belief in the importance of family can actually affect my approach in helping relationships. I often encourage my clients to reconnect with family members for support. While this can be beneficial, I need to remember that not everyone has a positive relationship with their family, and insisting on this route might not be helpful. Being aware of this belief helps me offer more personalised support.

Example Answer 3

I value independence and believe that clients should be empowered to make their own choices. This belief often leads me to encourage clients to find their own solutions to problems. However, I have learned to recognise when support and guidance are needed. Some clients may feel overwhelmed by too much independence and appreciate a more hands-on approach. Balancing these needs is essential for effective support.

Example Answer 4

Respect for cultural diversity is a core value for me, influenced by my upbringing in a multicultural community. This value ensures that I approach each client with an open mind, respecting their cultural background and beliefs. It helps in building a trusting relationship. However, I am aware that cultural differences can sometimes affect communication, so I make a conscious effort to understand and bridge these gaps.

Example Answer 5

One of my beliefs is that everyone has the potential to improve their circumstances. This optimistic view drives me to motivate and encourage my clients persistently. While this usually has a positive impact, I need to be mindful that some clients might feel pressured or inadequate if they are struggling. Adjusting my approach to each individual’s pace and readiness is important.

Example Answer 6

I believe in the power of positive thinking and often use it to encourage my clients. This belief helps instil hope and optimism, which can be very uplifting. However, I have learned that overemphasising positivity can sometimes minimise a client’s real struggles or emotions. It’s important to strike a balance, acknowledging their difficulties while gently guiding them towards a more positive outlook.