The Code of Ethical Standards for School Counselors is an agreed upon summary of the actions (and reactions) that counselors should take. The Code can perhaps be summarized in the one word "respect." It stipulates the manner in which the counselor will respect the counselee, other counselers, the law, and himself. The existence of this Code means that counselors can expect to encounter situations which can hamper, stop, or damage the counseling relationship. The Code is designed to both prevent these situations and heal the damage should one happen.
[A.1-3] The school counselor counsels many people of many different backgrounds. Sometimes he or she will deal with a pupil who has outlandish wants or ideas which may be difficult, impossible, or not even have any basis in reality. At the same time, the pupil will sincerely believe in these proposals and actually consider them possible. Since the counselor has much knowledge and information at his disposal, he does the worst disservice to his charge by not dissuading him or her from impossible and unrealistic goals.
[A.4-5] However, this has two problems. The first one is the temptation to "call a spade a spade" and describe the goals for the foolishness they are. The counselor must be careful to respect the thinking, planning, and wants of the person being counseled while tactfully addressing the ideas. The second problem is in accurately addressing the plans. Many of the most successful people have succeeded at plans that other people called impossible, space flight being one of the better examples. This will require much tact and meekness in the face of indignant anger. The counselor, in calmly explaining the procedures (and rules) of counseling, may be able to objectively calm an upset counselee.
[A.6-7] The counselor also need to be careful to discuss the laws concerning the student and his plans, and refer him when those plans may involve other counseling. At the same...