What ethical principle ensures fairness and equality in treatment?

The principle that ensures fairness and equality in treatment is justice. This ethical concept emphasizes the importance of treating individuals equitably and ensuring that all clients have access to fair treatment. It requires practitioners to consider imbalances in power and support efforts to provide equal opportunities for care, regardless of background or circumstance.

In the context of marriage and family therapy, applying the principle of justice means being aware of systemic issues that might affect clients differently and striving to address those disparities in therapy practices. It promotes inclusivity and protects the rights of all individuals seeking help.

While autonomy focuses on respecting an individual's right to make decisions about their own life, beneficence emphasizes acting in the best interest of the clients, and non-maleficence relates to the obligation to avoid causing harm, none of these principles specifically address the equitable distribution of resources and treatment outcomes as justice does.