In cases of discrimination, what is the counselor's recommended action?

• A. Help the client determine whether or not to seek legal advice.
• B. Advise the client to ignore the issue.
• C. Provide direct legal representation.
• D. Dismiss the client.

Answer: (A)

When discrimination happens, the counselor’s role is to support the client in understanding their rights and options and to connect them with appropriate resources, rather than acting as the legal representative. The best action is to help the client decide whether to seek legal advice. This framing respects the client’s autonomy, acknowledges the legal dimensions of discrimination, and leverages the counselor’s strengths in assessment, advocacy, and resource referral.

A counselor can walk the client through what seeking legal advice might involve—what rights may apply, potential avenues (such as filing complaints with an employer, a state agency, or the EEOC, and timelines), and the possible emotional and practical implications—without giving legal advice themselves. They can document incidents, discuss safety and coping strategies, and provide referrals to qualified attorneys or legal aid services. This preserves professional boundaries while empowering the client to make an informed choice.

Choices such as ignoring the issue, providing direct legal representation, or dismissing the client do not fit ethical counseling practice. Ignoring discrimination can leave the client vulnerable; direct legal representation is beyond a counselor’s scope, and dismissing the client denies essential support.