Compare and Contract the AACC and ACA Code of Ethics
Shelia Burton
Liberty University
Abstract
In reading both codes you can see how different but yet alike they are, although one is from the Christian aspect and the other from a world view. According to Ralph Bass, Christian counseling has been a part of the work of ministry since the origin of the church. When people were sick they looked to the church for help, they were thought of as touched by the Gods and were given potions for their madness to cure them or driven from the community depending on the type of illness. Sigmund Freud was one of the most famous people to come out of the age where psychiatry was thought to have nothing to do with Christianity and that Christianity
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ACA (2005) is developed by members from multiple capacities with no mention of who these people are or their position in life, yet AACC (2004) tells who each person is and other sources used to adopt their code.
AACC (2004) addresses things such as abortion, homosexuality, divorce, Premarital and extramarital sexual behavior whereas ACA (2005) does not address these issues except to put the homosexual in the non-discriminate part of their code. The AACC (2004) does not have a section labeled counseling relationships as the ACA (2005) but does address the issues of the relationship the counselor should have with the client.
Discrimination
In comparing and contrasting discrimination in the 2 codes I found that the in the AACC (2004) code, states that “Christian counselors do not withhold services to anyone of a different faith, religion, denomination or value system”, it does not discuss discrimination of person of a different race, gender, gender identity except to say in that they will counsel a homosexual, transgendered and cross-dresser, but will work towards changing their life style not encouraging them in their choice. AACC (2004) does have an Affirming the God-given Dignity of All person code that lets you know “that human beings are God’s creation and are due all rights and respect and it goes on to state that Christian counselors will express loving care to any client, service-inquiring person, or anyone encountered in the course of
According to the ACA Code of Ethics, 2005, H.1.b, “Counselors assist in the process of enforcing the ACA Code of Ethics. Counselors cooperate with investigations, proceedings,
An ACA code that will help the counselor with multicultural code to use in the practice is A.2.C “Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity counselors communicate information in ways that are both developmentally and culturally appropriate. The counselors use clear and understandable language when discussing issues related to informed consent. When clients have difficulty understanding the language that counselors use, counselors provide necessary services (e.g., arranging for a qualified interpreter or translator) to ensure comprehension by clients. In collaboration with clients, counselors consider cultural implications of informed consent procedures and, where possible, counselors adjust their practices accordingly”. Therefore, it is very important for the counselor to have this multicultural code for clients available in case they have a language barrier. An NAADAC code of ethics that will help counselor with multicultural code to use in practice is “Working in a Culturally Diverse World, Addiction professionals do not discriminate either in their professional or personal
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 ACA is an educational, scientific, and professional organization that works to accomplish improved mental health, wellness, awareness, and education. The ACA establishes a code of ethics to provide guidance on ethical practices for professional counselors. The code explains ethical
In conclusion as I mentioned before counselors must remain confidential in all aspects of their job including testing and assessment. The ASCA and ACA provide codes of ethics to follow. Counselors should follow these code of ethics to prevent misuse of test, releasing client information and many more. Now that we live in an era where technology is advanced school counselors must be mindful to ensure that their clients information will remain confidential. There are numerous of assessments that require proper training before administering. Counselors must be competent in an assessment before they can administer it. It is up to counselor to determine of they are competent enough to administer a test but there are sources that can help a counselor
The ACA is a combination of two separate bills: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health
The main points of provision five of the ANA code of ethics are as follows: section 5.1, which is moral self-respect, suggests that nurses must care for themselves as much as they care for their patients. Nurses must do their best to maintain professional respect to themselves in regards of their competence and moral character. Section 5.2, which is professional growth and maintenance of competence, suggests that nurses must continue to self and peer evaluate themselves throughout their careers. Nurses must continue to learn current, up to date nursing practices through self, peer, and higher education. Section 5.3, which is wholeness of character, suggests that nurses must develop and take into consideration their own
There are nine provisions included in the ANA code of ethics. The provisions can be broken into three categories. The first category is the nurse’s ethical responsibilities to her patient which is provisions one through three. Second is the nurse’s obligation to herself, provisions four through six. The third ethical requirement for nurses is related to their relationship to the nursing profession, community, nation, and world overall. This focus is summarized in provisions seven through nine [ (American Nurses Association, 2013) ].
There are multiple precautions and/or practices that private practitioners can adopt that will minimize their liability, while also promoting the best possible practice and therapy for their clients. Following the Code of Ethics, while maintaining current educational and supervision practices also help.
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).
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.
Sexual intimacies are another area in which similarities and differences can be observed between the two codes of ethics. Both codes of ethics prohibit sexual and romantic relationships between counselors and clients. Sections A.5.a and A.5.b of the ACA code of ethics clearly state this (American Counseling Association, 2005, p 5). This is also clearly stated in section 1-131 of the AACC code of ethics (AACC Law and Ethics Committee, 2004, p 8.). At this point, it is necessary to point out differences between these two codes of ethics in this regards. The AACC guideline clearly forbids sexual and romantic relationships with former clients but provides an exception as stated in section 1-133 where possible marriage is involved (AACC Law and Ethics Committee, 2004, p 8). On the other hand,
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.
At this point as a student, I believe I have a firm grasp on the foundations of the ACA Code of Ethics. The ACA Code of Ethics is organized for several valuable reasons. The ACA Code of Ethics serves the community, the members of the ACA, and helping professionals (CASEBOOK). The ACA Code of Ethics was created to protect and promote the wellness of the community, educate members of the helping profession and community, improve the practice of helping professionals, and protect the clients and the practitioners (LEGAL). The approach the ACA Code of Ethics uses is holding health professionals accountable for their clients. This allows clients to be protected and to be counseled in a safe and non-judgmental environment. There are five core values the ACA holds for all helping professionals. The first is enhancing growth and development for clients. The second core value is brining awareness to diversity and multicultural views. Third value is to promote social justice. Fourth value is building integrity and trust with the client. The last core value is practicing in an ethical manner (CASEBOOK). I understand the reason behind the ACA Code of Ethics, however I hope this class will teach me more about the individual codes.
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.