Code of Ethics Essay

The American Counseling Association has also developed a Code of Ethics that all counselors are bound to follow to uphold the integrity of the profession. The Code of Ethics has a specific area devoted solely to research and how procedures should be handled. First and foremost, researchers should follow all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to research with human subjects (ACA, 2005). The Code of Ethics also explains that researchers are responsible for the well being of their subjects and they should take special precautions to avoid harm in any way, including physical,

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.

The 2014 ACA Code of Ethics provides structure that protects clients. Responsibilities that counselors to be aware of is avoid imposing their own values, attitudes and beliefs on clients (Ethics, 2014). Developing a relationship with clients requires providing counseling in a culturally sensitive manner (Ethics, 2014). Counselors respect the diversity of clients take measures to ensure that they are not of risk of imposing their values onto clients (Ethics, 2014).

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

The mission statement of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2005) “is to enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counseling profession, and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity.” Jane fails to comply with the ACA Code of Ethics (2005) when she unsuccessfully informs future participants about the group, determines who can enroll into the group, not provide an informed consent, and fails to protect others from harm.

The American Counseling Association (ACA) developed the code of ethics with six principles in mind that they thought were the foundation for ethical behavior and decision making: autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity and veracity (American Counseling Association, 2014). This lead to the six different purposes for the code of ethics. First, it sets ethical obligations and ethical guidance for professional counselors (American Counseling Association, 2014). Second, it recognizes ethical dilemmas that are relevant (American Counseling Association, 2014). Third, it clarifies what is ethically expected and accepted of its members (American Counseling Association, 2014). Fourth, it is an ethical guide for members deciding the best course of action and expectations for conduct, when it comes to those using their counseling services (American Counseling Association, 2014). Fifth, it supports the mission of the American Counseling Association (American Counseling Association, 2014). Finally, it has standards that serve as a baseline for questions and complaints for ACA members (American Counseling Association, 2014). To fulfill the purposes of the code of ethics, the ACA categorizes the ethics into nine different areas (American Counseling Association, 2014).

This paper compares and contrast codes of ethics as addressed by the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). The main difference that one sees is that the AACC is bases its ethical codes primarily on biblical principles. According to the AACC¸ “the code is a comprehensive, detailed, and integrative synthesis of biblical, clinical, systemic, ethical, and legal formation” (AACC Code of Ethics, 2004). Whereas the ACA code of ethics focus on many of the same themes but without the Christian perspective. The three elements that share a great deal of similarities but also some differences are in the areas of fees, confidentiality, and conflict of interest.

Ethical codes have been developed so that therapists understand the standards for appropriate behavior and maintaining the welfare of the client. All mental health professionals should be proficient in the acknowledgment of any Code of Ethics as they serve as legal guidelines when ethically questionable circumstances arise. Essential to the principles of counseling, a client’s confidentiality is imperative as a therapist is the receiver of an individual’s thoughts and ideas surrounding the concerns for seeking treatment. Item 2.1 in the AAMFT Code of Ethics states how a therapist would disclose and limits of confidentiality, and in what circumstances that a client’s information would be requested. Additionally, item 2.2 is the

This paper is a comparison between the codes of ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). This paper aims to present the similarities and differences between the two codes of ethics. There are two main sections on this paper. The first section presents the general similarities and differences of the two codes of ethics. The second section presents the similarities and differences of the two codes of ethics on three specific areas: Confidentiality, Sexual Intimacies and Informed Consent. The author used the codes of ethics of both organizations in the process of comparing and contrasting. The general comparison reveals that the

Ethical codes exist to inform the professional behavior of counselors. The American Association of Christian Counselors has established a ³comprehensive, client-respecting, legally sensitive, behavior specific, and detailed code of ethics´ for use by all counseling professionals (2010). There is no shortage for a Christian counselor to be able to obtain the necessary guides and assistance needed to ensure that ethical guidelines are

This segment of the ACA Code of Ethics (COE) is wide-ranging and encompasses 13 capacities. There’s a selection of the material in the COE is comparable to the RUST report and Standards for Qualifications of Test Users, predominantly among the high opinion to counselor aptitude, apparatus compendium, supervision, recording, understanding, and consideration to variety. In spite of this, concerning the additional summarizing of accountabilities for counselors, the COE also covers the rights of clients, incorporating well-versed permission, proclamation and safekeeping of valuation statistics.

Counselors within their specialty are part of interdisciplinary teams’ work. The ACA code of ethics provide several standards that tackle responsibilities to acquire and strengthen relationship with colleague to best serve clients (D.1.b); to focus on the wellbeing of client (D.1.c); and to clarify professional role, parameters of confidentiality, and ethical responsibilities of the team and its members (D.1.d, D.1.e).

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

A code of ethics is a set of written principles regarding conduct and behavior created by the organization to serve as a guide. The purpose of ethical codes is to give its employees, management, and any interested party a reference point that adheres to company policy, standards, and ethical beliefs. The code is made visible to the public to ensure professional integrity, quality, and to prevent misguided conduct. Regardless of the organization or governing body a code serves as a go-to guide because ethical issues can stem from anywhere at any given time. The Code of Ethics for Nurses is so dynamic because as technology changes, so does the code to ensure that updated knowledge is provided to healthcare workers as they address new ethical

The differences between the two codes were: The Code of Ethics of American Counseling Association describe as the “enhancement of quality of life by promoting the development of counseling and practice the counseling to promote respect and human dignity toward the counselors” ( American Counseling Association, 2017). In American Counseling Association has a different code of ethics that apply such as : Counselor do not prescribe medication, school counselor should be certify in the state, when a counselor working in a mental health facility, counselor should be license, counselors are train to work with individuals and groups, and etc.