Self-determination in helping emphasizes that the client should:

• A. Rely on the professional to decide
• B. Follow standard protocols without input
• C. Make decisions about their own course of action
• D. Focus on external metrics

Answer: (C)

Self-determination in helping means honoring the client’s right to choose their own path and actively participate in decisions about their life. In practice, this involves sharing clear information, exploring values and preferences, and supporting the client to decide their course of action rather than having decisions made for them. The statement that the client makes decisions about their own course of action best reflects this principle. The other ideas undermine autonomy: relying on the professional to decide removes the client’s input; following protocols without input ignores the individual’s unique needs and wishes; focusing on external metrics prioritizes measurable outcomes over the client’s own chosen direction.