Professional Standards & Ethics Flashcards

A workshop participant begins disclosing symptoms of severe depression and asks the trainer to 'fix' it during the break. What is the most ethical response?

Answer: Offer empathy, acknowledge the limits of the trainer role, and suggest a qualified mental health professional

NVC training is not therapy, so trainers stay within their competence and refer clinical issues to licensed professionals.

Which practice best reflects the NVC principle of 'power-with' in a training room?

Answer: Inviting participants to co-create agreements and checking whether they work for everyone

Power-with means sharing decision-making so everyone's needs are considered, rather than imposing or abandoning structure.

A trainer notices she uses NVC phrasing to pressure a colleague into agreeing with her plan. What ethical issue does this raise?

Answer: It shows NVC being used as a manipulation technique rather than a consciousness of connection

NVC's intention is connection and willing giving, so using its language to get compliance contradicts its ethics.

During a practice group, a participant shares a story about a named coworker. What should the trainer do to protect confidentiality?

Answer: Remind the group of agreements about confidentiality and encourage sharing without identifying details

Clear confidentiality agreements protect both participants and third parties who are not present.

Why is it ethically important for an NVC trainer to make requests rather than demands of participants?

Answer: Because requests respect participants' autonomy and willingness to engage

A request honors choice; if a 'no' would be met with punishment or guilt, it is a demand.

A trainer is asked to lead a workshop on a topic far outside their experience, such as trauma recovery. What is the most responsible action?

Answer: Be transparent about their experience and either decline, co-train with an experienced person, or refer elsewhere

Professional integrity means being honest about one's competence and not misrepresenting expertise.

What does 'self-responsibility' mean for an NVC trainer when they feel triggered by a participant?

Answer: Recognizing the trigger is connected to their own unmet needs and seeking self-empathy or support

In NVC, feelings arise from our own needs, so trainers take responsibility for their reactions rather than blaming others.