Navigating Relational Ethics in Day-to-Day Practice

‘Whether we like it or not we navigate relationships every day. If you are a practitioner (e.g. counsellor, psychotherapist, coach, or use counselling skills in your work) or a trainer this is the book for you! There are a number of books on ethics. You might already be an expert on ethics. However, this book goes well beyond codes of ethics and ethical frameworks. Lynne Gabriel and Andrew Reeves invite us to consider day to day dilemmas and navigate us through the reality of relational ethics in practice. The book starts with an in-depth theory chapter and continues with a multi-voiced chapter (this I found genius) on relational ethics. Therapists and ethicists discuss relational ethics in their lived experience. The authors present quotes from the key themes discussed (following a thematic analysis). There is immediacy and creativity! Throughout the book there are examples of ethical dilemmas negotiated within relationships. Hugely helpful is the toolkit chapter where practitioners are provided with tools on how to integrate relational ethics in their work. I have enjoyed reading the chapter on pluralistic prism on relational ethics; it invites the reader to consider cultural, social, and political aspects of therapy. At the heart of navigating relational ethics is the relationship. While reading this book I realised that in my non-professional day-to-day life (e.g. family, friends, neighbours) I am confronted with ethical decision making. Knowing what’s wrong and right is not enough in resolving dilemmas. The book offered me a sense of grounding and a confidence in negotiating decisions.’

Sophia Balamoutsou, PhD,Institution for Counselling & Psychological Studies, Greece

‘This excellent book breaks new ground in understanding and applying ethical thinking in counselling and psychotherapy and provides an essential companion for anyone engaging in therapeutic practice. Gabriel and Reeves have articulated, in an accessible and directly applicable manner, the underlying philosophical understandings and plurality of ways in which ethics functions in relation to others and in context. By acknowledging the needs of practitioners working within our contemporary and multi-cultural society and the imperative to undertake fluid decision-making, this book provides the reader with confidence to navigate the hierarchies of ethical working and the uncertainties this can present, using relational ethics to guide "thinking, doing, and being" in action. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in the field, from trainee to seasoned practitioner and for those who seek to work with and understand our profession.’

Kate Smith, Professor, Head of Department of Counselling, Well-being, and Educational Psychology, University of Aberdeen, UK

‘Navigating Relational Ethics in Day-to-Day Practice by Gabriel and Reeves addresses a really important issue for the field, namely the gap between the ethical guidelines developed by professional bodies and knowing what the "right" thing is to do in actual practice contexts. The authors’ answer, as argued across this book, is for therapy practitioners to understand that ethics must not be approached as a bureaucratic, risk management process but as a relational, embodied, lived practice that encompasses not only the work but the practitioner themselves, including their approach to doing counselling (e.g. theoretical assumptions and modality), their personal values (and biases), and their reflexivity: “We are ethics” as the final chapter concludes. Relational ethics though necessarily encompasses not just the practitioner, but also the client – and for every therapeutic context in which an ethical issue arises, the relational context includes not only the client-counsellor relationship, but also the web of relationships that both people have outside the counselling rooms – with family, friends, community, and broader society. This means, stress Gabriel and Reeves, acknowledging that relational ethics requires attention to social and political context, in particular the impacts of social injustice and inequity, and the ethical imperatives of inclusivity and decolonising practice, as well as a questioning/critical perspective on "traditional" counselling theory and practice, including approaches to ethics, on the basis that they may be exclusionary or biased. It also means that the process of ethical decision-making within relational ethics practice is necessarily both relational and collaborative, involving the counsellor engaging in transparent discussion about potential ethical issues with their clients and supporting clients to unpack the implications of different decisions. Through case studies, the authors illustrate how collaborative ethical decision-making empowers counsellors and psychotherapists and helps therapeutic dyads to arrive at decisions that "work" better for clients. The case studies are critical in supporting readers to understand practically how to integrate relational ethics into their work; additionally the book offers a "toolkit" to support relational ethical decision making in practice as well as lots of pauses for reflection that foster the reflexivity (e.g. attention to one’s own biases) that is critical for relational ethics. As such, the book offers an inspiring and practical resource for the profession, trainers, and trainees. Moreover, it is only the first book in a planned series on relational ethics – I look forward to the remainder!’

Naomi Moller, Professor, Open University, Chair of UK Training and Research Counselling Clinic Consortium (TRaCCs)

‘As its name suggests, Navigating Relational Ethics in Day-to-Day Practice provides pragmatic practical guidance on everyday ethical issues encountered during the practice of counselling. At the same time, the authors provide a nuanced discussion of the historical, sociological and philosophical underpinnings of a contemporary relational approach to ethics. Of particular significance, this includes challenging dominant Western discourses through adopting a pluralistic, multifaceted lens to ethics. This makes the book an invaluable resource for both students and more experienced practitioners alike, especially in grappling with complex ethical considerations around cultural diversity, colonisation, and inequities of power. Here it succeeds in being a positively radical contribution to the field.’

Brian Rodgers, PhD, School of Counselling, Human Services & Social Work, Te Kura Tauwhiro Tangata, The University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

‘Lynne Gabriel and Andrew Reeves offer this innovative and important compendium of contemporary perspectives on relational ethics in day-to-day practice. In so doing they have produced a core text to facilitate development of essential ethical literacy in the counselling and mental health professionals. This book will equip trainees and practitioners committed to ethical practice and development with the knowledge and skills required to navigate practice in their different professional contexts.’

Divine Charura, Professor, Programme Director, Counselling Psychology Doctorate, York St John University, York, UK