Code Of Ethics In Professional Counseling

Superior Essays
The foundation format, provided for the professional to become state licensed or certified fosters, with the understanding of practices and the scope as a substance abuse counselor with guidelines. First, we must review, define, and analyze “the Scopes of Practice developed by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)”, which defines a Scope of Practice as follows:

 “ Defined as rules, regulations, and the boundaries within which a fully qualified practitioner; with substantial and appropriate training, knowledge, and experience practicing in a field of medicine, surgery, or other specifically defined field; and practices governed by and required with continued education and professional accountability mandated by governing regulations”
…show more content…
In brief, the professional counselor once licensed /certified must adhere to all code of ethics with fidelity. Confidentiality, the primary ethical issue and information shared is privileged communication between the client and the professional counselor. In most states, mandatory or permissive laws delegated for that particular state and noted when it comes to confidential information from client shared with the counselor. If danger or internment harm is of concerned and involves a third party or child/elderly abuse This may only happen if the professional counselor/service provider discloses information when internment harm comes into play for all parties concerned. It’s also important to protect self and the client, with risk by taking the necessary steps to prevent harm. This may only happen if the professional counselor/service provider discloses information when internment harm comes into play for all parties concerned. A licensed or certified professional requirements are per board review and if approved for licensure, the ne/she shall adhere to the code of ethics, which is

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    According to, T. Remley and B. Herliky confidentiality is universally viewed today as being essential to the counseling process, which depends on an atmosphere of confidence and trust in which clients are able to tell their stories freely and honestly disclose their feelings, fears, thoughts, memories, and desires. Clients need to know that they can trust their counselors to respect their privacy, and the counselor’s confidentiality pledge is the cornerstone on which this trust is built (T. Remley and B. Herliky, 2016). American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethic ensures that all prospective, current, and past clients’ information is kept confidential. Amy, the receptionist at the Metropolitan Counseling Center breached ACA code B.3…

    • 631 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Christopher, Great scenario of Taneka. I would also use ACA code of ethics (2014), section A.6.b, extending counseling boundaries, counselors must consider the risks and benefits of extending current counseling relationship beyond conventional parameters and I would also use I.2.a (2014), when counselors have reason to believe that another counselor is violating or has violated an ethical standard and substanital harm has not occurred, they attempt to first resolve the issue informally with the other counselor if feasible. If that counselor feel like the other counselor is violating ethical standards, then that individual should pull the counselor aside in private and let that counselor know. Reference: American Counseling Associations (2014).…

    • 117 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Referring to Professional Standards, relevant laws and regulations and ethics scholarship (e.g., moral principles, virtues, scholarly writings): there is some ACA codes of ethics pertain this case. First of all, A.1.a. says that my primary responsibility of counselor is to respect the dignity and to promote the welfare of clients. I should do everything for my client Angela best interest. Since I might breach the confidentiality in this case, I am obliged to review with Angela the rights and responsibilities of both of us. “Informed consent” (A.2.a) can be also applied to this case.…

    • 1321 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    • If a counselor has a reason to suspect any child or elderly abuse in which they have to report to appropriate agencies. • If you are refereed by the court or are involved with any litigation. •…

    • 1143 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Ethics, laws, and values all originated from different sources; however, they all work together in establishing a structured honest business manner for the behavioral health industry. The American Counseling Association created a manual called, Code of Ethics, which helps regulate morally correct decisions. This ethics manual was based off five standards: autonomy, justice, beneficence, nonmaleficene, and fidelity. Laws are created by the government. State legislation handles most counselling issues whether authorizing state laws or carrying out federal laws.…

    • 245 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The focus lies within the respect and protection of information of the client; whether it is a verbal conversation or documentation, the counselor must keep their information confidential, but there are exceptions. If the client is a minor, then the legal guardian/parents have the right to have the information disclosed to them. Another exception is if the counselor foresees a harm or danger to themselves or others (Code of Ethics B.2.a, 2010). The section also discusses information of the limitations of confidentiality that must be explained to the client (Code of Ethics B.1.d,…

    • 1587 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Ethical School Counselors

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Looking at the Ethical Standards for School Counselors (2010) there are many codes that pertain to this ethical dilemma. The codes that pertain to this ethical dilemma include confidentiality, making referrals, and danger to self and others. A.2 is confidentiality, A.2.b discusses the limits of confidentiality and the counselor should discuss these limits with students in an appropriate manner. A.2.c states that one must keep information confidential unless there are legal requirements or in order to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to the student either self inflicted or harm inflicted to others. A.5 making appropriate referrals, A.5.a says a counselor should make appropriate referrals when appropriate to outside resources for students…

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Yet another ethical code of counseling that was violated in the case of Laura is the code of beneficence, which can be found in the Preamble of the ACA Code of Ethics (2014). This occurs when the counselor allows Laura to leave at the end when it is evident that she is exhibiting sings of despair and depression, and even mentions that she feels like she is in a black hole of sorts in the session itself. In the time leading up to the end, instead of simply listening to Laura talk, and perhaps encouraging the fantasies that she described in succinct detail, the counselor could have incorporated insight, along with reframing what Laura had to say, instead of simply listening to her. An example of reframing could have been done by restating what…

    • 364 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This would make sure that the student was aware of her rights and what could be kept confidential or shared. Additionally, it would be important for the counselor to consider the specifics of the case, such as she is a minor and there is foreseeable harm, when deciding to breach confidentiality or not, standard A.2.c (ASCA, 2010). The counselor must also take into consideration the…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The major ethic that stands out is ethic A.4.b. which states “counselors are aware of and avoid imposing their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients” (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014 p. 5). This ethical guideline is a safeguard in protecting all counselors in making sure they avoid imposing their values into clients during therapy sessions. Another ethic states that “the primary responsibility of counselors is to respect the dignity and promote the welfare of clients” (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014…

    • 1016 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    To a mental health counselor, the main ethical practice is to promote the clients welfare. I would say this extends to the community as well. The resources, strengths, and abilities of a community can greatly assist clients in positive changes. As a counselor, if you fail to educate your community you can be met with resistance by old opinions and viewpoints that disvalue your work. To make this change in the community you have to change the preconceived assumptions about the profession.…

    • 289 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    D-The patient arrived on time for her counseling session. Reported stable on her dose and denied the need for a dose increase when offered by this writer. The patient immediately admitted that she used a dime of crack cocaine on 07/28/2016 due to stresses in her life, referring to her estranged mother, of whom the patient currently resides with. Alternatives and feedback was addressed as the patient cannot use her stress factors as an excuse to use illicit drugs. This writer discussed about facing the problem and developing appropriate communication skills with her mother.…

    • 260 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The ethical red flag that may arise for me as a psychologist is counseling a married couple whose religion is Christianity. Since I’m an agnostic and I don’t know anything about dealing with people who are Christian, the best was to approach this situation is to follow standard 2.01 (b) boundaries of competence. This standard would fit perfectly for this situation because in order to work with this couple, I have to gain more knowledge to get a better understanding of the religion of Christianity so that I can be competent in that area. It would’ve been unethical for me as an agnostic psychologist to carry on a counseling session with a couple who’s Christian and I didn’t have any knowledge about that religion. Another standard that would fall…

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    Standards of practice. D, 1. states that counselors should avoid dual relationships with clients that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of harm to the clients. Counselors shall take appropriate professional precautions when a dual relationship cannot be avoided, such as informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation that ensures that judgment is not impaired and no exploitation occurs. (www.dhp.virginia.gov) Dr. Hemphill covered this section in his presentation by expressing that as a professional counselor; avoid engaging in therapy with former, current, or future sexual partners, students, supervisees, etc. If you have to second guess your involvement or disclosure with the client you should avoid it.…

    • 1144 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    First, starting with facts, we are aware that Susanna’s therapist told her parents about her diagnoses of borderline personality disorder without her consent. My response to this is the therapist should not have disclosed confidential information and should have provided consultation with Susanna first. This lacked complete disrespect for the privacy of the client. Looking at the code of ethics under 1.07 we know that a Social Worker should not disclose confidential information this includes everyone, including clients parents because she is no longer a minor due to her age. Looking at Policies, I am unaware of what the policy for the therapist might have been during the time period, but we know this would not be acceptable by today’s social work standards.…

    • 1346 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays