What ethical principle involves respecting student autonomy?

The principle of informed consent is fundamentally about respecting student autonomy. Informed consent ensures that students are provided with enough information to make knowledgeable decisions regarding their participation in counseling or other school services. This involves explaining the nature of the services, the potential risks and benefits, the limits of confidentiality, and giving the student the opportunity to ask questions. Respecting autonomy means recognizing the student's right to make choices about their own life and well-being, which is a core value in ethical counseling practice.

Confidentiality, while crucial in building a trusting relationship, primarily focuses on the privacy of the information shared in counseling sessions rather than directly addressing students' rights to make choices. Competence involves ensuring that counselors are adequately trained and skilled to provide effective assistance but does not pertain to the autonomy of the student. Integrity refers to the adherence to moral and ethical principles in practice but again does not directly emphasize the respect for student decision-making rights. Thus, informed consent embodies the ethical obligation counselors have to empower students to make informed decisions about their own lives.