Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

What ethical principle is defined as the commitment to avoid causing harm to clients?

1. Justice

2. Autonomy

3. Nonmaleficence

4. Beneficence

The correct answer is: Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle defined as the commitment to avoid causing harm to clients is nonmaleficence. This principle emphasizes the importance of ensuring that counselors do not inflict harm intentionally or through neglect. It is a foundational concept in counseling ethics that underscores the responsibility of counselors to protect their clients from potential harm during the therapeutic process. By adhering to nonmaleficence, counselors strive to prioritize client safety and well-being, acknowledging that their actions and decisions can significantly impact the mental and emotional health of those they serve. In contrast, the principles of justice and autonomy focus on fairness and respect for individuals' rights to make their own decisions, respectively. Beneficence, while also relevant, involves the active promotion of good and well-being, rather than solely the avoidance of harm. Therefore, nonmaleficence specifically targets the obligation to refrain from actions that could cause harm, making it the correct answer in this context.