Ward and Willbanks Case:
Counselors Should be Held to the Highest Standards of Ethics
Jackie Phillips
Psychology, Post University
HSV203 – Introduction to Counseling Professions
Unit 2 Assignment: Applying Legal Precedence to Your Ethical Practice
David Six
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST Sunday of Unit 2
Overview: This assignment aims to deepen your understanding of the legal and ethical dimensions of value conflicts in counseling, focusing on the landmark case Ward v. Wilbanks (2010). You will analyze the case, explore its implications for counseling practice, and reflect on how it informs your approach to managing value conflicts in your professional life.
1. Provide a detailed summary of the Ward v. Wilbanks case. Include the key facts, the legal arguments presented by both sides, and the final ruling of the court.
“After Julea Ward, a graduate student at Eastern Michigan State University enrolled in the school counseling program, refused to work with a gay client, she was dismissed from the program for failing to adhere to the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics, which the university’s counseling program follows. A would-be high school counselor, Ward claimed that because of her religious beliefs, she had a right to refuse to counsel any clients who wished to discuss same-sex relationships or unmarried sexual relationships – regardless of the harm such discrimination could cause to clients who came to her for counseling.” (No author given, 2011)
2. Analyze the ethical implications of the case using the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. Identify specific ethical standards that are relevant to the issues raised in Ward v. Wilbanks.
“A.4.b. Personal Values Counselors are aware of—and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, train- ees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselor’s values are inconsistent with the client’s goals or are discriminatory in nature.” (No author given, 2014)
3. Consider how the principles of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and fidelity apply to the case.
“In the Ward and Wilbanks case, several ethical principles were at play, particularly focusing on the tension between the counselor's personal beliefs and the client's autonomy. The case highlights potential violations of autonomy, beneficence, justice, and fidelity, with non-maleficence also relevant, though arguably less so in the immediate decision-making.
Autonomy:
Violation:
Ward's refusal to provide counseling services to a client solely based on her religious beliefs potentially violates the client's autonomy, as it limits the client's freedom to choose their own counselor and to pursue mental health support.
Potential Violation:
While not as directly central as other principles, Ward's refusal could be argued to cause harm or neglect by denying the client the opportunity to receive the mental health support they need. However, the primary focus is on the client's autonomy and justice rather than the direct harm caused.
Beneficence:
Violation:
Ward's actions are potentially in violation of the beneficence principle, which emphasizes acting in the client's best interests.
Application:
By refusing to work with the client, Ward fails to fulfill the obligation to promote the client's well-being and potentially harms their access to needed mental health support.
Justice:
Violation:
The case raises questions about justice, as Ward's actions could be viewed as discriminatory based on the client's sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.
Fidelity:
Violation:
Fidelity involves honesty, loyalty, and keeping promises. Ward's actions could be interpreted as a breach of fidelity if she had established a professional relationship with the client and then terminated it based on personal beliefs, potentially violating the client's trust.
4. Discuss the broader implications of the court's decision for counseling practice. How does this case influence the way counselors manage value conflicts with their clients?
The Ward v. Wilbanks case highlights significant implications for counseling practice regarding values, ethics, and the role of religious beliefs in professional counseling. The case challenged the constitutionality of counseling profession's non-discrimination clauses and whether counselors can refuse to provide services based on their religious beliefs. The court's decision, while still under appeal, raises questions about the balance between a counselor's values, professional ethics, and the right to provide services to all clients.
5. Do you think that the faculty at Eastern Michigan University was justified in dismissing Ward from the program because of her refusal to work with gay/lesbian clients on the basis of her religious beliefs?
Absolutely they did the right thing by dismissing the student. A counselor should be open to all lifestyles and beliefs and not limit their abilities to help people based on how closely they match their own.
As a born and raised native of San Francisco born in 1964, I was witness to horrible events that were focused on people because of their alternative lifestyles and the people who supported those beliefs and lifestyles. I was a freshman in high school in San Francisco when Dan White snuck into an open window in the basement of City Hall with a loaded handgun and assassinated both Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone in their offices in City Hall because both these men supported gay rights in San Francisco. I witnessed that Dan White was arrested and later convicted of Temporary Insanity and only given 5 years in prison for two first degree pre-meditated murders because his lawyers claimed he ate too many Twinkies that day. After being released from prison, Dan White committed suicide in his own garage. Later the plea of Temporary Insanity was removed from an option as a plea in California.
“The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) community in San Francisco is one of the largest and most prominent LGBT communities in the United States and is one of the most important in the history of American LGBT rights and activism alongside New York City. The city itself has been described as "the original 'gay-friendly city'". LGBT culture is also active within companies that are based in Silicon Valley, which is located within the southern San Francisco Bay Area.” (No author given, 2025)
6. Reflect on your own values and how they might come into play in similar situations. How would you handle a situation where your personal values conflict with those of your client?
My personal beliefs and values would have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on any client I ever worked with for any reason. My job is to help the client and not push my personal beliefs or agenda. They come to me for help or are sent by a Parole or Probation Officer, and they trust that I will be the person to help with their concerns and trouble.
7. Describe strategies you would use to ensure that your personal values do not negatively impact your professional responsibilities and client relationships and propose ways in which you can prepare yourself professionally to navigate value
I enjoy meeting new people and learning all about their individual and unique lifestyles and habits. As a counselor, one of the biggest perks of the job is to meet new people and get to know them and find out ways to help them reach their goals.
8. Discuss how understanding cases like Ward v. Wilbanks can inform your approach to ethical decision-making and client advocacy.
I am glad that the student school made this decision to expel the student because it reinforces in society how the rights and understanding of other people’s personal lifestyle choice should be held to the highest standards. It reinforces that understanding that a counselor is not held to different standards than other professionals and they must fit into an ever changing and updating world around them.
References
No author given, 2011, ACLU, Ward v. Wilbanks, https://www.aclu.org/cases/ward-v-wilbanks-et-al-case-profile
No author given, 2014, American Civil Liberties Association, ACA Code of Ethics, www.counseling.org
No author given, 2025, Wikipedia, LGBTQ culture in San Francisco, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_culture_in_San_Francisco#:~:text=in%20the%201960s.-,1970s%20%2D%20Gay%20liberation%2C%20The%20Castro%20comes%20out,then%20to%20San%20Francisco%20Pride.
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