Why Values Matter: The Role of Self-Awareness in Ethical Therapy

Written by [Haythem Lafhaj]

No therapist is value-neutral. Our beliefs—about family, gender, race, religion, sexuality—inevitably show up in the room. The ethical therapist isn’t the one who denies these values, but the one who knows how to manage them.

Corey et al. (2018) stress that self-awareness is foundational to ethical decision-making. When therapists recognize their own cultural context and personal triggers, they’re less likely to impose these on clients. Instead, they can create space for difference, curiosity, and respect.

For PLMFTs, this means examining how personal upbringing, bias, and worldview shape clinical impressions. It means asking: Where might my values be colliding with the client’s? What assumptions am I carrying?

Culturally responsive therapy requires ongoing reflection and accountability. It means practicing humility, seeking supervision, and learning from discomfort. Ethical therapy isn’t just about protecting clients from harm—it’s about protecting them from our unexamined selves.

References:

Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2018). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions (10th ed.).