Which principle is about avoiding harm to clients?

Which principle is about avoiding harm to clients?

• A. Nonmaleficence
• B. Beneficence
• C. Fidelity
• D. Veracity

Answer: (A)

Nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm to clients. In counseling and related professions, this means the practitioner has an obligation to prevent actions or interventions that could injure a client physically, emotionally, or psychologically. It also covers staying within one’s competence, using evidence-based approaches, and protecting clients from unnecessary risks or coercion. While you also aim to benefit the client (beneficence), nonmaleficence focuses specifically on not causing harm. Fidelity and veracity relate to trust and truth-telling, respectively, and do not capture the harm-avoidance emphasis of this principle.

Nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm to clients. In counseling and related professions, this means the practitioner has an obligation to prevent actions or interventions that could injure a client physically, emotionally, or psychologically. It also covers staying within one’s competence, using evidence-based approaches, and protecting clients from unnecessary risks or coercion. While you also aim to benefit the client (beneficence), nonmaleficence focuses specifically on not causing harm. Fidelity and veracity relate to trust and truth-telling, respectively, and do not capture the harm-avoidance emphasis of this principle.