Client Self-Determination: An Almost Absolute Value in Counselling and Social Work

Abstract

In her recent article in Australian Social Work, Rosemary Williams expresses reservations concerning the current status of the ethic of client self-determination among professional social workers in the state of Victoria. She argues that the latter generally endorse a ‘positive’ view of liberty which is inconsistent with the profession's central ethic. However I wish to argue that the findings of her exploratory study provide cause, not for concern, but for a modest amount of(self)-congratulation.