The Wisconsin Counseling Association believes in the strength of its members and the values which govern us.

 
Caring for Self and Others

We believe in the worth and dignity of the individual, and we value caring and respect for self and others.

We respect and care for the self by preserving professional identity through the support of, and for, the professional association, WCA, and by establishing and maintaining professional standards and ethical behavior. We also respect and care for the self through continuing personal development. We also value examination of the relationship among the intellectual, physical, spiritual, and psychological aspects of human development. We respect and care for others through identification and the removal of barriers to human development and through pro-active approaches to human rights.  This respect and caring for others extends to concerns about global issues such as world peace and the ecology. We value and celebrate the diversity of cultures and interests within our society, our profession, and our association. We also value the power, strength and support of a unified profession.

 
Enabling Positive Change

We believe that positive change in people, organizations and societies can be facilitated.

Positive change involves moving to higher levels of moral, ethical, spiritual, intellectual, physical and interpersonal development.  Working for a positive change is a major function of our profession.

Acquiring and Using Knowledge

We believe that we need to be aware of current and evolving knowledge, including alternate ways of knowing, that can assist in facilitating positive change.

We have a responsibility to acquire, utilize and disseminate new knowledge in our field. We have a responsibility to utilize both traditional and alternative methods of understanding. We have a responsibility to exert leadership in using and sharing our knowledge and skills.

 
Empowering Leadership

We believe in the kind of leadership which requires a willingness to take risks, a readiness to take stands, and a responsibility to act on vital issues.

Empowerment means that individuals, groups, and organizations by their actions, enable (empower) others to make changes. Counselors and human development professionals see themselves as active leaders, willing to take risks. Responsible and professional leaders act when faced with compelling situations.  Leaders who are committed to this belief are consistent in what they say and do. This leadership style ensures that all populations served are empowered to reach their human potential.

 
Promoting Linkage

We believe in fostering an integrative quality, interdependence, and connectedness among people, organizations and societies.

Collaboration is a preferred mode of operation which fits the philosophical foundations on which the counseling and human development profession is based. Action to accomplish identified goals, in some instances, involves interpersonal coalition-building between professionals and, at other times, involves inter-professional and international cooperation.