The Codes Of Ethics Of The American Counseling Association

When encountering an ethical dilemma, it is important for the counselor to be aware of ethical considerations. Making good ethical decisions is dependent on being familiar with models of ethnical decision-making, knowledge of ethical situations, and one’s own code of ethics. If a counselor is not knowledgeable of his or her ethical standards, they are more likely to break a code without even knowing it. According to Neukrug and Milliken (2011) say that few professionals are actually accused of unethical conduct during their careers, but those who can be traumatized as well as their clients from the repercussion’s of the counselors mistake (p. 206). Thankfully, there are many organizations that have established a code of ethics for their employees to abide by while in that organization.

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,

Professional counselors and their staff are exposed to sensitive client information and records. The helpful receptionist and whose privilege videos, show how to apply both the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA Code of Ethics) and state board counseling laws to common ethical scenarios. The content explores aspects designed to call attention to favorable and unfavorable skills and techniques in handling such matters. These two videos demonstrate the limitations of confidentiality and privileged information. As a professional counselor one is expected to uphold the principles of confidentiality and privilege according to the ACA Code of Ethics and state laws. One may conclude that the helpful receptionist video shows clear violations of confidentiality. While the whose privilege video indicates the significance of insuring that counselors comprehend state laws and ethics codes pertaining to confidentiality and privilege. Furthermore, counseling professionals are held accountable for violating ethics codes and state laws as well as training staff on informed consent.

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

Great post! I like how you applied participants from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In section A of the ACA code of ethics (2014), it focuses on the counseling relationship, that they encourage to actively attempt to understand the diverse culture backgrounds of the clients they serve.

The ACA Code of Ethics states, “when counselors are faced with ethical dilemmas that are difficult to resolve, they are expected to engage in a carefully considered ethical decision-making process,” (ACA, 2014, p. 3). Throughout these three case studies, I will use the seven-step ethical decision-making model to address the important professional issues, relevant ethical codes, and legal standards (Forester-Miller & Davis, 1996). By applying the steps to each case I will share how I came to my resolutions.

However, ethics codes have been criticized. APA ethics code have been criticized for being more protective of the profession than of the consumer (Kitchener & Anderson, 2010). Criticism has also been given because more emphasis of concern has been placed on protecting psychologists from legal liabilities than with instilling ethical ideals (Kitchener & Anderson, 2010). A limitation of ethical codes is that it does not address many important ethical concerns. The text provides an example regarding questions of justice, such as access to psychological or counseling services. This is not generally covered in ethical standards. In addition, other areas not covered include issues pertaining to the rights of consumers or research participants. For many decades focus on research for the APA has been to establish standards that are enforceable when psychologists are accused of unethical behavior. Kitchener and Anderson (2010) suggest that this focus on identifying activities that have restricted activities has distracted the APA from applying more positive ethical

Professional counselor has to behave in an ethical manner, which reflects their profession. In additions counselors must obey federal and states laws. Therefore, the ACA Code of Ethics provides a professional standard, which professional counselors should uphold. The Code of Ethics was developed to provide counselors with a professional identity, which can shape how the public see counselors and offers some rules on how they should behave professionally (Shallcross, 2011). Furthermore, the Code of Ethics is used by the counselor to help address a problem. According to the ACA standard, a counselor must be competence in their job. The Code of Ethics is based on the Kitchener’s five moral principles American Counseling Association (Shallcross,

The American Counseling Association code of ethics that would apply are B.1.d and B.2.a, which discuss limits of confidentiality and the legal issues to protect a client from harm (2014). The AACC code of ethics that would apply includes 1-410-a and 1-420-a, which discuss the limits of confidentially and who may be informed

The principle of the APA code of ethics is relevant to leadership and administrative activities in that decisions must be as agreed by those concerned, otherwise, trust can be broken with a client, employees, or stakeholders. If a psychologist or a leader needs to act or make a decision that is different than agreed, then it must be justified, otherwise, such a decision can be harmful to others (APA, 2010). This principle is relevant to administrative activities in the aspect of the science, truthfulness, honesty, and practice part (APA, 2010). If an administration is handling business in an honest, consistent and open manner then they too can be trusted. This method then becomes part of the practice and a science in itself. It is also important

The American Counseling Association is a professional organization that is dedicated to increasing individuals development and the way of living. The ACA code Establish principals of ethics, support the mission and served as an ethical guide.

Code of ethics published in 1953 by the American Psychological Association (APA). After that National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and American Counseling Association (ACA) adopted its ethical code (Neukrug, 2011). Ethical codes have been revised multiple times to fit the needs of the organization depending on the professional values, which was not an easy task to decide what to include in a code. There are many important things society value, so choosing which values to reflect on the code has been a struggle for the association. Ethical codes are needed in many professional; in fact, it should be for every profession. It is to assist in a professional’s ethical decision-making process. There are six fundamental moral principles of professional ethical behaviors autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity. “A code has value as both an internal guideline and an external statement of corporate values and commitments” (Ethics Research Center [ERC], n.d., para. 1). It is crucial to follow ethical standards when helping clients.

The American Psychological Association’s (“APA) ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct provides the principles and ethical standards that all psychologists must abide by. The APA’s code of ethics provides five general principles of ethics, (1) beneficence and nonmaleficence, (2) fidelity and responsibility, (3) integrity, (4) justice, and (5) respect for people’s rights and dignity. The APA has the authority to sanction or terminate membership from the APA for violation of ethical principles. The underlying ethical theory that frames the APA’s code of ethics is normative ethics. Normative ethics is the branch of ethics concerned with the standards and principles used to determine whether something is right or wrong.

There is a level of nervousness I have with ethics regarding counseling. I am thinking with the ethical policies and procedures the solution is to continue to study the ACA code of ethics and be aware of what I say and how I interact with my future clients. As a counselor and after exhausting all that I know to uphold ethics, I feel I will still ask how can I know if I have done the right thing?(Van Hoose & Paradise, 1979).

In the Code of Ethics of American Counseling Association and The Code of Ethics of National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, there are some similarities and differences from each code of ethics. The similarities between the two codes were: they both describes the ethics of counseling and professionalism in counseling.” Professional counseling is a therapeutic relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals” (American Counseling Association, 2017). Professionalism in counseling is very important. A professional counselor should abide by the code of ethics and can diagnose mental health disorders. Both code of ethics also discussed with any professional that a individual is in has to follow all rules to the Code of Ethics.