Code Of Ethics: The American Association Of Christian Counselors

My First impression of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Code of Ethics is that this is a very standing ethical code. The NBCC Code of Ethics covers all aspects of how a counselor should advocate, represent, and protect. The NBCC Code of Ethics prevents a counselor from counseling in a field that they do not have training, and it prevents a counselor from unlawful discrimination The NBCC Code of Ethics even regulates how a counselor should behavior on social media in regards to their practice, research, and voicing of opinions.

Professional associations establish codes of ethics to ensure that clinicians uphold the standards of their association in order to protect the clients they serve and the profession they are affiliated with. This paper will compare the codes of ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

According to the ethical and legal principles of the counseling profession, it is our morally professional responsibility to break confidentiality in order to eliminate the possibilities of chaos, to the best of our ability. The American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethics explains adherence to confidentiality in a number of instances. In standard A.2.e., Mandated Clients, it describes the requirements for informing mandated clients of the limitations to confidentiality and, should an issue arise, to whom the revealed information must be shared with. This rule applies to all clients. The counselor’s responsibility to do so must be conveyed to the clients at the very beginning of the counseling relationship, with periodic reminders throughout sessions, and include the dangers involved if the client refuses to participate in the mandated sessions. ACA code of ethics further explains in standard B.1.c., Respect for Confidentiality, that counselors are to guard “confidential information” and “disclose” this “information only with appropriate consent or with sound legal or ethical jurisdiction.” Therapists must also “identify situations” where breaches can void or challenge confidentiality (ACA, 2014, B.1.d., p. 7).

The ACA Code of Ethics (ACA, 2014) is a critical resource for counselors involving assessment. Section E in the ACA Code of Ethics (ACA, 2014) is devoted to explaining evaluations, assessments, and interpretation. E.1. states, “The primary purpose of educational, mental health, psychological, and career assessment is to gather information regarding the client for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to, client decision making, treatment planning, and forensic proceedings” (ACA, 2014, pp.11). Counselors should only use assessment tools in which the clinician has been trained.

Professionalism is one of the most important aspects of counseling. Lacking professionalism may potentially cause harm to the client. In my opinion, professionalism begins and ends with the code of ethics. I feel that if you abide by the code of ethics you have nothing worry about regarding professionalism. The code of ethics summarizes the standards of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. A counselor is supposed to abide by the legal and moral standards of the community (Grold, 1996). All professionals should dress

This paper is a response to a video discussing the issues of confidentiality, privilege, reporting, and duty to warn. This paper looks at these issues and their explanations in the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics as well as the Georgia State Board of Professional Counselor’s ethical guidelines and provides a commentary on the laws. It was found that these issues are not always black and white, but there is some debate on these issues. Confidentiality is both an ethical and a legal responsibility yet there are often times when the ethical demands clash with the legal demands. This paper explores some of those crashes and explains what I have learned from the video and the professional and stage guidelines concerning confidentiality and its implications and how I will apply what I have learned into future practice.

Naureen, thank you for your discussion. The ACA Code of Ethics (2014) A.4.b. Personal Values explains that clinicians are to not impose their own beliefs and values onto the client and respect the diversity of the clients. I am confident because of what I witnessed in residency that you will be able to be objective and can overcome your own personal beliefs that differ from your clients. I believe coming from different cultural backgrounds can be a positive experience. Both the clinician and client can learn from each other different perspectives. You are completely right that the clinician should gain the trust of the clients to have a healthy therapeutic relationship.

The code of ethics for both the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) create a framework by which Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), respectively, determine their ethical boundaries in which to practice in the field of counseling. Though it is clear the code of ethics within this profession are not definitive nor concrete instructions to handle all ethical concerns and scenarios, they do serve a major purpose in helping professionals navigate ethical concerns that may arise (Corey, 2015). In addition to the professional ethics, “Christian mental health professionals are called to a higher ethic (Sanders, 2013, p. 27).” This goes without saying for the one whose life has been radically transformed because of what Christ accomplished on the Cross. However, in the context of a profession that restricts one’s personal values there remains a consistent thoughtfulness of the impact it has on one’s faith.

Nurses are faced with making difficult decisions for theirs patients on a daily occurrence. “The STOP model helps decision makers by reminding them to consider all elements and make a best rational choice to fit the situation.” (Godfrey & Crigger, 2012, p. 35) When faced with a daunting choice a nurse can use the STOP Model to help them decipher what exactly to do without becoming overwhelmed. Looking at the case study presented to us this is how I would analyze the situation using the STOP Model:

As a professional, I plan to continue to promote personal growth in clients while assisting in promoting healthy relationships in their lives. There are a number of ethical guidelines counselors should already know to follow, for example, confidentiality. I will always maintain the confidentiality of clients. This is important because it promotes privacy, security and above all trust in the relationship between the client and the professional. Another personal value that aligns with the profession is beneficence, which is one of the ethical principles. My goal in life is to help people in need. I do not mind going beyond my call of duty to help others. I do not wish to stand by when I know a client needs support. All my work will be done to benefit clients and reduce their struggles. This is why I would like to enter the professional field of working with and providing services to

In Chapter 10 of Rudolph K. Sanders’ book, Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Psychologists, Therapists and Pastors, Mark Yarhouse, Jill Kays and Stanton Jones discuss the “sexual minority” as it pertains to the field of professional counseling. This group is defined as “individuals with same sex attractions or behavior, regardless of self-identification” (Sanders, et. al., 2013, p. 252). By looking at counseling the homosexual community through its etiology, standards by which a counselor should proceed with treatment, and the options a client has on deciding treatment options, we can be better prepared as Christian counselors to be better prepared in serving the needs of others.

Dual relationships and the ethical behavior that revolves around boundaries with clients present a multitude of very complicated situations to counselors where a clearly defined course of action is not always evident. Aside from no accord amongst mental health professionals and boundary issues being unavoidable at times, recognition and prediction of potential benefits or pitfalls correlated with dual relationships can prove to be troublesome as well (Remley & Herlihy, 2010). For most cases, it is best if an outline is used to discern when it is appropriate for a counselor to breach the client-counselor boundary.

There are many ethical issues that can arise during counseling. One issue that is fairly common is sexual attraction from patient to counselor, counselor to patient, or even in both directions. Even though an attraction may exist, this does not necessarily mean that these instincts will be followed in any inappropriate way. In fact attraction is a natural part of life and is impossible to avoid. However, any fulfillment of these desires is an unethical act that could not only be in violation of the code of ethics that a counselor is bound by, but it could also subject the counselor and their organization to litigation and legal action.

My dissertation journey has been a long and eventful one, full of medical, emotional and financial hurdles and setbacks which made me begin to believe that I would never make it to the end. These knocked me completely off my feet at a crucial point in my journey, and having to fight through so many issues; I almost gave up and considered dropping out of University so many times.

This essay aims to examine ethics, and the importance of using a code of ethics. It will discuss the counsellor’s personal values and professional values that should be used within the profession. There will be an exploration of the importance of contracting in the initial stage of counselling. At the end of this essay it is anticipated that the reader, will have a greater understanding of the importance of contracting with clients, confidentiality and its limitations, how to gather informed consent. It is anticipated that the reader will understand how vital it is for the counsellor to be aware of their own competence and limitations in order to keep the client safe and free from harm. Supervision and the importance of self care will be discussed and examined in order to stress the importance in maintaining a health effective therapeutic alliance.