Applied Skills in Human Services

1743 Words7 Pages
Human Service Professionals today must fulfill the numerous roles found inherently within the realm of the helping process and the various responsibilities in order to best serve the needs of the diverse population seeking their assistance. The human service professional has an ethical responsibility to serve the client, the public and society, fellow colleagues, employer, the profession, and self ("Ethical Standards for HS Professionals," n.d.). He/she must maintain an appropriate professional image to the client at all times, be cognizant and aware of the importance of body language and appearance, as well as the cultural and ethical differences of the population she serves. In the helping process the human service professional should be especially aware of his/her personal values, beliefs, prejudices, and stereotypes, and how these might impact a professional relationship in both positive and negative respects. The helping professional must show special care and consideration for the client’s culture and background as important factors when providing the level of care and attention each client deserves and to demonstrate a respect for the encompassing values and beliefs conducive with the personal dimensions of identity relative to each of his/her clients (Murphy 40). Because of the cultural diversity richly present in our world today, human service professionals will undoubtedly come into contact with clients from many walks of life and those that certainly differ from their own personal level of familiarity. All people, human service professionals included, have their own personal values, beliefs, prejudices and stereotypes that play an important role in defining who we are, where we come from, what we support and what we consider invaluable aspects to our personal identities/culture. As professionals aiding in the helping process, stereotyping a client might
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