The Brief Ethical Decision-Making Model begins with which step?

The Brief Ethical Decision-Making Model initiates with examining ethical principles because this foundational step sets the stage for the entire decision-making process. By starting with a thorough examination of relevant ethical guidelines and principles, a counselor can better understand the situation at hand and identify the core ethical dilemmas involved. This careful consideration helps ensure that subsequent steps are aligned with ethical standards and best practices in counseling.

In counseling, adhering to ethical principles such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice, and fidelity is crucial for protecting client welfare and promoting trust in the therapeutic relationship. Without this initial examination, a counselor may overlook important ethical considerations that could lead to inappropriate or harmful decisions in their practice.