Which ethical principle is most likely to be jeopardized by inappropriate gifting?

Inappropriate gifting poses a significant threat to the ethical principle of integrity. Integrity in the context of counseling refers to the adherence to moral and ethical standards, ensuring that practitioners operate transparently and honestly in their relationships with clients. When a counselor engages in inappropriate gifting, it can create a power imbalance or perceived obligation, leading to questions about the counselor's motivations and the authenticity of the therapeutic relationship. Such behavior could undermine the trust essential to a counseling relationship, thereby compromising the principle of integrity.

While the other options are certainly important ethical principles within the counseling profession, they do not specifically relate to the issues arising from gifting. For example, confidentiality is more about maintaining a client's privacy regarding their information, autonomy involves respecting a client's ability to make their own choices, and professional competence refers to maintaining the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective counseling. In this case, integrity is uniquely at risk as inappropriate gifting can directly affect how a counselor's actions are perceived and could tarnish their professional reputation.