Comparing Codes of Ethics The very nature of the counseling profession places professional counselors in close proximity with people, information, and influence. Due to this, ethical dilemmas can arise throughout the course of this work. To help aid in the protection of counselors, and to provide a framework for ethical practice, ethical codes have been developed and instituted within the profession. As Beuchamp and Childress stated (as cited in Calley, 2009), “in the counseling profession, ethical standards are required to protect clients, guide professional behavior, ensure the autonomy of professionals, increase the status of the profession, enhance the client 's and the community 's trust in the profession, and articulate collegial conduct between professionals,” (p. 476). This paper will provide a brief summary of both the American Counselor Association (ACA) and American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) code of ethics, explore similarities and differences between the two, as well as discuss the application of these codes in the future as a professional counselor.
Brief Summary of ACA and AMHCA Codes of Ethics The ACA Code of Ethics was born out of necessity for the need of an ethical standard for the relatively new counseling profession. …show more content…
The major difference that is notable is that the AMHCA Code of Ethics is a specific to Mental Health Counselors, whereas the ACA Code of Ethics is more general, touching on the entire counseling population and profession. Instances of this can be found in differences in language throughout each of the codes. In the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) refers to “counselors”, whereas the AMHCA Code of Ethics (2015) refers to “mental health counselors”. This specific language contrasts the codes and makes the reader know that when they are reading the AMHCA Code of Ethics, it is directed and specifically meant for mental health
Brief Summary of ACA and AMHCA Codes of Ethics The ACA Code of Ethics was born out of necessity for the need of an ethical standard for the relatively new counseling profession. …show more content…
The major difference that is notable is that the AMHCA Code of Ethics is a specific to Mental Health Counselors, whereas the ACA Code of Ethics is more general, touching on the entire counseling population and profession. Instances of this can be found in differences in language throughout each of the codes. In the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) refers to “counselors”, whereas the AMHCA Code of Ethics (2015) refers to “mental health counselors”. This specific language contrasts the codes and makes the reader know that when they are reading the AMHCA Code of Ethics, it is directed and specifically meant for mental health