Ethics in Counseling

CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

Clients seeking counselors should know that all
licensed counselors, regardless of their
specialty area, practice under the guidelines of
a professional code of ethics.
Each mental health association has developed
an ethical code offering rules of professional
practice and procedures.
Counselors are mandated to follow this ethical
code which outlines the standards of excellence
of practice in their field. A violation of this code
of ethics can result in the forfeiture of the
counselor's license.
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
(FOUNDATIONS)
Counselors work in a variety of settings with a
multitude of different populations. Professional
values are a practice foundation and a
reflection of the ethics of the counselor.

The American Counseling Association's (ACA)
Preamble to their Code of Ethics tells
counselors "Values inform principles. Inherently
held values that guide our behaviors or exceed
prescribed behaviors are deeply ingrained in
the counselor and developed out of personal
dedication."
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
(PURPOSE)
The primary purpose of a counseling code of
ethics is to support the idea that a counselor will
do nothing to harm the client. The client has the
right to enter a counseling relationship with
specific expectations regarding the counselor's
professionalism and values
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
(PURPOSE)
In addition to the best practices components,
the ACA code of ethics purpose includes "an
ethical guide designed to assist members in
constructing a professional course of action that
best serves those utilizing counseling services
and best promotes the values of the counseling
profession."
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
(CONTENT)
The counseling code of ethics for all mental
health professionals includes sections outlining
universally accepted themes in the counseling
profession.

They include protecting client confidentiality,
nondiscrimination, not engaging in sexual or
social relationships with clients, and seeking
supervision when necessary.
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
(CONTENT)
A mandate to act if there is a concern about
client safety or harm to others is also present.
The National Board for Certified Counselors
(NBCC) code says,

"when there is a clear or imminent danger
to others, the counselor must take reasonable
action to inform potential victims and/or inform
responsible authorities."
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
(VIOLATIONS)
Ethical codes also include sections discussing
the consequences of violation of the counseling
code of ethics.
This is intentionally done to protect the rights of
clients and create clear, appropriate boundaries
for counselors to follow.
The NBCC Preamble explains "it serves the
purpose of having an enforceable standard for
all NBCC certificants and assures those served
of some resource in case of a perceived ethical
violation."
The American Counseling
Associations Code of Ethics
(1995)
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Code of Ethics states under A.5. Personal
Needs and Values that in the counseling
relationship, counselors are aware of the
intimacy and responsibilities inherent in the
counseling relationship, maintain respect for
clients, and avoid actions that seek to meet
their personal needs at the expense of clients.
It also stipulates that Counselors refrain from
offering or accepting professional services
when their physical, mental, or emotional
problems are likely to harm client or others.
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Counselors integrate and use principles as a
way to monitor and reflect upon internal
motivations and behavior that guide our action,
especially when difficulties arise.

Remley and Herlihy (2001) suggested six
principles for Counselors to consider:

CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
6 Principles for Counselors:

Beneficence do good, promote well being and
health
Nonmaleficence do no harm, prevent harmful
actions and affects
Autonomy recognize and respect
independence and self-determination
Justice promote fairness and equality in
dealings
Fidelity be responsible to clients and honor
agreements
Veracity be truthful and honest in dealings
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Counselor Competence:
the ACA Code of Ethics (1995):
Counselors must practice only within the
boundaries of their competence, based on their
education, training, supervised experience, state
and national professional credentials, and
appropriate professional experience (C.2.,
Boundaries of Competence)
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Some important points:
1. Boundaries of Competence:
a. Provide only those services for which you are
qualified. b. represent accurately your professional
qualifications.
2. Continuing education:
a. grow professionally through involvement in
continuing education.
3. Qualified for employment:
a. only accept employment for which you are
qualified. b. hire for professional counseling positions
only those that are qualified.
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
4. New specialty areas of practice:
a. practice in a new specialty areas only after
appropriate education, supervision and experience.
5. Impairment: a. seek assistance in solving problems
6. Ethical issues consultation:
a. Consult with colleagues and other relevant
professionals regarding ethical issues.
7. Monitor effectiveness:
a. make a continual effort to monitor and improve
efficacy and outcomes.
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Client Rights and Welfare:
Privacy and Confidentiality:
1. Confidentiality and Privilege Communications
the concept of privacy is the foundation of
clients legal right to privileged communication and
the counselors responsibility to hold counseling
communications confidential.
privilege communication is a legal term
referring to a right held by clients to prevent
therapeutic information from entering into a legal
proceeding.
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Client Rights and Welfare:
Privacy and Confidentiality:

2. HIPAA and the privacy rule
the primary motivation for the enactment
was to ensure the privacy of those that seek heal
services while at the same time allowing for client
information to move freely to provide the best level
of care for individuals seeking professional help.
the privacy rule applies to information that
might identify or could be used to identify a
person.
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Client Rights and Welfare:
Privacy and Confidentiality:

2. HIPAA and the privacy rule
exceptions:
Minors under the age of 18
Incapacitated an impairment by reason of
mental illness
Privilege clear and imminent danger to self
or others
CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Client Welfare:
The increasing use of the Internet to provide
counseling interventions:
Counselors must consider the appropriateness
of online counseling and explain the potential
limitations especially confidentiality.
Counselors must only use secure sites for
confidential information.
professional counselors must identify, verify
identities of clients, and obtain alternative
methods of contacting clients in emergency
situations.



CODES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Client Welfare:
In the individual therapy and group work
Check to be sure that you are working in
harmony with the other mental health
professional also seeing your client
Develop clear, written descriptions of what
clients may expect with respect to therapeutic
regime, testing and reports, record keeping,
billing, scheduling, and emergencies.
Share your professional code of ethics with
your clients and discuss the parameters of a
therapeutic relationship.
Know your limitations.