ACA Ethics Code Reflection Journal The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics is documented to establish minimal ethical responsibility as well as to cultivate, improve, promote, and guide the counseling profession in an aspirational approach to ethical practice (2014). The intent of this reflective journal is to summarize general themes in the code; additionally, I will disclose my personal responses and Biblical worldview as it relates to the ACA Code of Ethics.
General Themes Themes incorporated in the ACA Code of Ethics are generalizations of related topics grouped into sections. Each section (Section A – Section I) elaborates on the desirable, as well as required, ethical conduct and duty of the professional counselor …show more content…
The overarching theme is to promote and maintain the client’s well-being through effective, empowering, accepting, trustworthy, and ethical practice (ACA, 2014). Section B spotlights a client’s right to privacy and a counselor’s duty of confidentiality (ACA, 2014). Section C identifies key strategies and disciplines of a responsible counselor and clarifies guidelines for disclosing qualifications (ACA, 2014). Section D is a reminder that ethical behaviors of a counselor extend beyond therapy sessions as communication and effective relationships with other professionals can directly impact a counselor’s utility with their clients (ACA, 2014); this section expounds on criteria for relationships with other professionals. Section E prescribes guidelines and criteria for diagnosis, administration and interpretation of assessments and testing. Research is key to the promotion of this field and this section is a valuable resource in assuring focus remains on the well-being of clients (ACA, 2014). Section F specifies obligations of both supervisors and trainees in establishing and maintaining purposeful relationships. This is a key objective and the responsibilities of each party are defined to help guide the future of the …show more content…
Joshua 24:14-15 is clear that man has the right and obligation to choose who he will serve (autonomy); what he will do. However, this should be carefully weighed against the Word of God that instructs believers that we are not our own, that we are bought with a price (I Cor. 6:19-20). We are set free to serve Christ and one another in love (Galatians 5:13-14); not the flesh, sin, and self. Nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity and veracity are all broadly reconciled to Biblical themes (Romans 12:17, Ephesians 4:30-32, Romans 13:10, Titus 3:2, Matthew 7:12, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Ephesians 4:25). To the extent that I espouse these godly characteristics, they can also co-exist inside my Biblical worldview; to love and serve my Father and others (1 John 4:7). I believe that God created me to be in a relationship with him (John 1:10-13), that Christ died for my sins (John 3:16), and that I am called to know, obey, serve, and glorify him in all I do (Revelation 4:11). I believe that as I serve others, I am serving and glorifying him. I do not believe that I should ever impose what I believe on another, I do believe we have to make that choice individually, however, I am still struggling with how to own my core beliefs and not encourage sin in someone else’s
General Themes Themes incorporated in the ACA Code of Ethics are generalizations of related topics grouped into sections. Each section (Section A – Section I) elaborates on the desirable, as well as required, ethical conduct and duty of the professional counselor …show more content…
The overarching theme is to promote and maintain the client’s well-being through effective, empowering, accepting, trustworthy, and ethical practice (ACA, 2014). Section B spotlights a client’s right to privacy and a counselor’s duty of confidentiality (ACA, 2014). Section C identifies key strategies and disciplines of a responsible counselor and clarifies guidelines for disclosing qualifications (ACA, 2014). Section D is a reminder that ethical behaviors of a counselor extend beyond therapy sessions as communication and effective relationships with other professionals can directly impact a counselor’s utility with their clients (ACA, 2014); this section expounds on criteria for relationships with other professionals. Section E prescribes guidelines and criteria for diagnosis, administration and interpretation of assessments and testing. Research is key to the promotion of this field and this section is a valuable resource in assuring focus remains on the well-being of clients (ACA, 2014). Section F specifies obligations of both supervisors and trainees in establishing and maintaining purposeful relationships. This is a key objective and the responsibilities of each party are defined to help guide the future of the …show more content…
Joshua 24:14-15 is clear that man has the right and obligation to choose who he will serve (autonomy); what he will do. However, this should be carefully weighed against the Word of God that instructs believers that we are not our own, that we are bought with a price (I Cor. 6:19-20). We are set free to serve Christ and one another in love (Galatians 5:13-14); not the flesh, sin, and self. Nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity and veracity are all broadly reconciled to Biblical themes (Romans 12:17, Ephesians 4:30-32, Romans 13:10, Titus 3:2, Matthew 7:12, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Ephesians 4:25). To the extent that I espouse these godly characteristics, they can also co-exist inside my Biblical worldview; to love and serve my Father and others (1 John 4:7). I believe that God created me to be in a relationship with him (John 1:10-13), that Christ died for my sins (John 3:16), and that I am called to know, obey, serve, and glorify him in all I do (Revelation 4:11). I believe that as I serve others, I am serving and glorifying him. I do not believe that I should ever impose what I believe on another, I do believe we have to make that choice individually, however, I am still struggling with how to own my core beliefs and not encourage sin in someone else’s