Abstract for presentation at Global Social Work 2004

This presentation begins by summarising what consumers of services have identified as being the most useful attributes and behaviours demonstrated by professional 'helpers'. It goes on to consider how notions of compassion, friendship and reciprocity can collide with current ethical guidelines commonly used to guide social work practice within Australia. A matrix of ideas about what 'professionalism' might mean is then considered with the view to locating ways in which the essence of spirituality may be given voice within this framework. Throughout the presentation the complex tensions between balancing ethical considerations with trust, risk and authenticity are articulated.