AACC Code Of Ethics Case Study

The oldest and the largest union in the United States, the American Correctional Associated (ACA) was first founded in 1870 under the name of the National Prison Association (The history of the American, n.d.) In 1970, the American Correctional Association comprised a set of standards that were later revised in 2002 for the members to promote professional and ethical conduct and called them the ACA Code of Ethics (American Correctional, n.d.). Although it is believed by some that corrections has still not achieved professional status, the ACA has made leaps in achieving this title by mandating training standards and a code of ethics for its members to follow (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2017). If members within the profession decide not to follow

The ACA and NAADAC code of ethics will help the counselor with decision making. When the counselor is not sure how to act or say about an issue, it is important that she goes back and review the ACA and NAADAC code of ethics to make sure she is not being biased or discriminating a client in her practice. ACA and NAADAC is a guide that will help the counselor to reference.

A code of ethics is a set of guidelines that are designed to set out acceptable behaviors for different profession it is also necessary in order to maintain instruction and guidance for professionals working in collaboration with other professionals. The codes of ethics for counselors, psychologists, social workers, and human service professionals are different in comparison to each particular profession. They are similar because they all encompass the same values such as being honesty, accountability, fairness, respect and avoiding conflicts of interest.

The ACA and MHCA Codes of Ethics is to ensure common standards, guide professionals, and minimize interpersonal strife of professionals, as well as provide clear parameters of behaviors, in order to help meet the changing needs of clients (Ponton, 2009). Counselors use the ethical principles and Code of Ethics, to inform and guide their practice by engaging in practices that are based on research methodologies, providing services that are within their appropriate framework, and work towards fostering client growth (Ponton, 2009).

The AASECT ethical code that I can relate to the most is competence and integrity. Competence and integrity relates to a counselor’s responsibility for the consequences of their acts, by commission or omission, and making reasonable efforts for provision of all professional services in an adequate and appropriate manner (Long, Burnett, & Thomas, 2006). As human sexuality counselors, I believe that it is critical for us to maintain client’s confidentiality by ensuring the information obtained from clients is used for counseling purposes only and is kept private and confidential. This can only be done through competent practice and maintenance of professional integrity.

Rannazzisi, J. T. (2010). Role of Authorized Agents in Communicating Controlled Substance . Retrieved from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-10-06/html/2010-25136.htm

These publications regarding ethics, American Counseling Association: Code of Ethics (2005) and the American Association of Christian Counseling: Code of Ethics (2004), are available as a reference for use. The purpose of this paper is to compare general and specific elements of the two publications. There are two areas of general exploration: 1) relation to their format for retrieval of specific data, 2) their value or standards basis, if any, from which the publications are written. More specifically three specific areas will be compared. First, the area of informed consent as it relates to the client and the counselor. Second, codes relating to

However, in order to best communicate informed consent, counselor can educate their students through school handbooks, brochures, classroom curriculum, and informing students verbally (p. 2). Confidentially looks different in terms of working with minors, when assessing a situation for serious and foreseeable harm. A counselor must consider students’ chronological and developmental age. As well as the setting, parental rights, and the nature of harm possible. Additionally, school counselors need to consider students’ ethical rights to make their own choices, and to give assent or consent, and the legal rights of the students’ parents and families to make choices for their child (p. 2).

List the specific ethical principles from the NASW Code of Ethics and identify those legal duties that you believe apply to the case.

The case of Leanne presents a number of ethical dilemmas that counselors can face with their clients. Here Leanne does not want you to tell anyone what she has just told you regarding her past. By telling someone you will be breaking client confidentiality, Leanne’s trust in you, and the therapeutic relationship you have built with her. If you decide to not then you are breaking the law. Even though the sexual abuse is reported as only existing in the past the client is still a minor and living with her father. By not reporting this you are also possibly putting the client at risk of being sexually abused again.

A.2.a. Confidentiality, A.4.a. Dual Relationships: While working on Internship in Counseling I (SC5599115SUOL), I have encountered several instances in which, boundaries have to be established in order to work with relatives. For instance, a sixth grade male, whom happens to be a distant cousin, but is aware that we are indeed related, sought me out for advice as to how to better his relationship with his mother (A.4.a. Dual Relationships). Because I knew the family offhand, I was aware of the tumultuous relationship that the child and his mother shared. However, as a professional, I could not allow my previous knowledge of his relationship with his mother cloud my judgement on how to advise the young man. I set boundaries within the first few moments of the session that dealt with the explanation of confidentiality and that his feelings and opinions were in a judgement free safe zone (A.2.a. Confidentiality).

The provincial government supplements the agency’s budget by paying for the service work my agency does for their clients. The 9:00 am time slot has been reserved for health ministry and child protection authority referrals. It is prepaid by the provincial government. By booking an EAP client in a provincial government slot the agency is illegally profiting because they are getting paid twice for one client. According to BCACC code of ethics (2014) the RCC will “avoid exploitation of others for personal, professional, or financial gain” (p. 7), it is my responsibility to act with the “highest integrity possible in every situation” (BCACC Code of Ethics, 2008, p. 7). Thus, I would have to avoid conflicts of interest between me, my agency, and my supervisor. I would seek advisory from my association or an external supervisor regarding this conflict. I am also concerned about the well-being of the provincial government’s clients (Board of Directors, 2014, p. 6), and their right for counselling service.

The AACC code of ethics is composed of seven different sections: 1- do no harm, 2- competence in Christian counseling, 3- informed consent in Christian counseling, 4- confidentiality, privacy, and privileged communication, 5- ethical practice in Christian counseling and evaluation, 6- ethical relations in the professional workplace, 7- ethics in advertising and public relations (AACC, 2004). Although ACA has a greater number of ethical sections, each code of ethics seeks to outline the rights of the client and provide guidance for how the counselor should carry out his or her duties for their client.

Ethical issues in a counseling practice lay the foundation of a therapist in practice. Ethics are at the center of how the counseling process functions and operates in a successful manner for the clients who seek help in such a setting. In order for the counseling profession to be ethical and hold professional recognition, there are many facets that need to be examined and outlined to make sure all counselors and practitioners are functioning at the highest level and withholding their duties required by the counseling profession. The first introduction so to speak of the area of ethics also happens to be one of the first steps in counseling, which is the informed consent. The informed consent provides the basis of what happens or will be

The code of ethics and conduct is a written set of rules and regulations that provides guidance to employees of an organization on how to conduct themselves and carry out their duties in line with the organization’s principles. The code of ethics and conduct is also be backed up by suitable disciplinary actions. A code of ethics and conducts helps employees deal with ethical issues and other gray areas that they face as they execute their daily activities. An effective code of ethics and conduct is required for an organization to run smoothly and maintain a positive image. Having an ineffective code of ethics and conduct is almost like having none.