When you’re thinking about starting counselling, it’s natural to wonder:
- Can I trust this person?
- Will what I say stay private?
- What happens if something goes wrong?
That’s where counselling ethics come in. They’re the quiet structure in the background that help therapy feel safe, respectful and transparent.
In this post I’ll explain what I mean by counselling ethics, how the BACP Ethical Framework fits in, and how it actually shows up in my day-to-day work with clients.
What do we mean by ‘counselling ethics’?
In simple terms, counselling ethics are:
The shared agreements about how counsellors should behave so that clients are protected and treated fairly.
They cover things like:
- How counsellors handle confidentiality
- What we do if we’re worried about someone’s safety
- How we hold boundaries so the relationship stays professional
- How we maintain our skills through training and supervision
- How you can raise concerns or complain if something doesn’t feel right
Different professional bodies publish their own frameworks. One of the best-known in the UK is the BACP Ethical Framework, which I use as a key guide in my practice.
(If you’d like the short version, you can read my page My Commitment to the BACP Ethical Framework.)
The BACP Ethical Framework in summary
The Ethical Framework sets out core principles like:
- Beneficence – acting in your best interests
- Non-maleficence – avoiding harm
- Autonomy – respecting your right to choose
- Justice – treating people fairly and without discrimination
- Fidelity – being trustworthy and reliable
That might sound a bit textbook, so here’s what it means in practice.
Before we start: contracts and informed consent
Ethics aren’t just about what happens inside sessions. They start before we even meet.
- You get a clear counselling agreement outlining:
- Fees, timing and cancellations
- How confidentiality works and its limits
- How I store your information and notes
- You have space to ask questions and take your time deciding if this feels right.
- You’re free to change your mind – starting counselling is your choice, not an obligation.
That’s the Ethical Framework’s ideas of autonomy and informed consent in action: you know what you’re saying yes to.
(If you’d like to see the sort of things we agree together, you can read more on my counselling agreement page.)
In the room: confidentiality and safety
For most people, confidentiality is the heart of counselling ethics.
In my practice that means:
- I don’t share what you say with family, employers or your GP without your consent, except in a few specific situations:
- serious risk of harm to you or someone else
- safeguarding concerns about a child or vulnerable adult
- a legal requirement (for example, a court order or information connected to terrorism or serious crime)
Wherever possible, I will talk to you first if I think we may need to break confidentiality, so you’re not blindsided.
I also:
- Keep brief notes, stored securely
- Use password-protected devices
- Follow UK data protection law
All of that flows directly from the Ethical Framework’s focus on privacy, safety and dignity.
Boundaries: why they matter
Counselling is a very human relationship – warm, real and sometimes intense. Good boundaries help it stay safe and focused on you.
In practice that means things like:
- Sessions start and finish on time
- We don’t slide into a friendship, business relationship or social media connection
- I don’t accept inappropriate gifts or favours
- We keep our work within agreed methods (for example, not suddenly switching into advice-giving or consultancy)
These boundaries aren’t about distance or coldness. They’re about protecting the space where you can explore whatever you need, without worrying about my needs, my opinions or mixed roles. I have a clinical will to ensure in case of my death or serious illness, all clients will be contacted in a confidential and ethically way.
Supervision: the hidden safety net
Ethically, I’m required to have regular clinical supervision with an experienced counsellor.
In supervision I:
- Reflect on my work and how it’s affecting me
- Think carefully about any dilemmas or sticky situations
- Check that I’m staying within my competence and limits
- Get support when work is emotionally demanding
Your identity is protected in supervision – I don’t share names or identifying details.
From an ethics point of view, supervision is about accountability and safety. It helps me notice if I’m tired, stuck, triggered or out of my depth so I can act on it and keep your therapy safe.
If something doesn’t feel right
Good ethics aren’t just there for emergencies. They also give us a structure to talk if something feels off.
You always have the right to:
- Tell me if I’ve misunderstood you
- Say if something I’ve said has landed badly
- Ask for a different pace or focus
- End counselling, or ask for a break
- Ask about my complaints process
If we can’t resolve something between us, you can raise concerns with my professional body, who will use their ethical framework to look at what’s happened.
It can feel daunting to speak up, especially if you’ve had experiences of not being listened to. For me, part of working ethically is to welcome those conversations and take responsibility when I get things wrong.
Questions you can ask any counsellor about ethics
If you’re choosing a counsellor, it’s completely OK to ask:
- Which professional body are you a member of?
- Which ethical framework do you follow?
- How do you handle confidentiality and its limits?
- What happens if I am worried about my safety, or someone else’s?
- What supervision do you have?
- How can I raise a concern if something doesn’t feel right?
A counsellor who works ethically should be able to answer these clearly and calmly.
Final thoughts
Ethics can sound dry on paper, but in the therapy room they’re really about:
- Respect – treating you as a person with choices
- Safety – emotional and practical
- Trust – knowing what to expect
- Accountability – so you’re not on your own if something goes wrong
If you’d like to read more about how I put this into practice, you can visit my page: My Commitment to the BACP Ethical Framework.
And if you’re wondering whether counselling with me might be a good fit, you’re welcome to get in touch with any questions about counselling in Sheffield or to arrange an initial session.