The ACA Code of Ethics (ACA, 2014) is a critical resource for counselors involving assessment. Section E in the ACA Code of Ethics (ACA, 2014) is devoted to explaining evaluations, assessments, and interpretation. E.1. states, “The primary purpose of educational, mental health, psychological, and career assessment is to gather information regarding the client for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to, client decision making, treatment planning, and forensic proceedings” (ACA, 2014, pp.11). Counselors should only use assessment tools in which the clinician has been trained. Before a clinical begins to counselor a minor, the counselor must receive written permission from the legal guidance or parent. Informed consent is essential because the client may not understand what is being measured and how the results will be used. If the parent does give the school consent to participate in the examination or testing for psychological services, the test results should be offered in a language that the parent, students, their teachers, and administers understand (Association for Assessment in Counseling, 2003). Therefore, the counselor should include background information that would help explain the test results. Also, the test administers should know the measurement characteristics (Association for Assessment in Counseling, 2003). Therefore, the test administers should be able to answer questions regarding the test results, what assessment was used, and the
Dual relationships and the ethical behavior that revolves around boundaries with clients present a multitude of very complicated situations to counselors where a clearly defined course of action is not always evident. Aside from no accord amongst mental health professionals and boundary issues being unavoidable at times, recognition and prediction of potential benefits or pitfalls correlated with dual relationships can prove to be troublesome as well (Remley & Herlihy, 2010). For most cases, it is best if an outline is used to discern when it is appropriate for a counselor to breach the client-counselor boundary.
The 2014 ACA Code of Ethics provides structure that protects clients. Responsibilities that counselors to be aware of is avoid imposing their own values, attitudes and beliefs on clients (Ethics, 2014). Developing a relationship with clients requires providing counseling in a culturally sensitive manner (Ethics, 2014). Counselors respect the diversity of clients take measures to ensure that they are not of risk of imposing their values onto clients (Ethics, 2014).
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.
According to ACA Code of Ethics (2014, Standard E.13.a), it is the counselors obligation to produce findings that can be substantiated based on information and techniques that are appropriate for evaluation. By counselors being an evaluator, it is a process where the client and the counselor can give a better understanding of the problem that can be resolve effectively during the counseling session. Chapter 11 describes that evaluation, assessing, testing, and diagnosing are known as part of activities that can be critical during a counseling process (Remley & Herlihy, 2014, p.272).
Clinical assessments have their place in almost every facet of the psychological and educational realms. I have been tracking down and examining what the most important aspects of assessment are that come into play in regard to drug and substance abuse, custody battles, as well as the importance the role of adhering to the ethical standards of utilizing culturally informed assessments. Clinical assessments within mental health centers are carry great importance in the identifying underlying behavioral problems, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. Behind every assessment is a clinician who
Boundaries and ethics are very important to know whether you a counselor, coach, pastor, and so on because there are limitations in what you can do and say. Almost everywhere you go a business, organization, church, etc. has a Code of Ethics to follow. Having a Code of Ethics in place is to protect the coach and the client to create professional boundaries that can help build a professional relationship. The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) has very strong approach on how a coach should have professional boundaries with their clients. Having Code of ethic or professional boundaries is important to understanding before you meet your client so you and the client can have a proper environment during your time together. When
Evaluation, as involved with counseling, is a process of assessment of the client. It may involve a standardized model of questioning, testing or a means of gathering information in which to use in the formulation of a diagnosis in a client. Evaluation is an important part of diagnoses and as such is listed in the Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014), (“American Counseling Association Online education resources CE ethics publications careers conferences,” n.d.)in section E. An example of an instance in which a counselor would evaluate a client is in the event the client presents as a suicide risk.
* I believe it is unethical for the counselor to reveal anything said in individual counseling with the husband. She didn’t address a “no secrets” policy in the informed consent. Sharing this information with the wife without his permission is unethical. In marriage counseling the “no secrets” policy needs to be addressed and explained in the informed consent. Since she did not have a policy concerning this, she is bound by confidentiality which should have been in her informed consent.
This paper is a response to a video discussing the issues of confidentiality, privilege, reporting, and duty to warn. This paper looks at these issues and their explanations in the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics as well as the Georgia State Board of Professional Counselor’s ethical guidelines and provides a commentary on the laws. It was found that these issues are not always black and white, but there is some debate on these issues. Confidentiality is both an ethical and a legal responsibility yet there are often times when the ethical demands clash with the legal demands. This paper explores some of those crashes and explains what I have learned from the video and the professional and stage guidelines concerning confidentiality and its implications and how I will apply what I have learned into future practice.
Introduction The code of ethics guides all helping professions in addressing and finding a solution to situations that need to remain true to the standard of conduct for counselors, and does not cause harm to any parties involved. However, each code for each helping profession looks different in terms of ethical standards. Making it important to compare the two to view the similarities and differences shared in each code. This paper will examine the American Counseling Association’s (ACA) code of ethics with the American School Counselor Association Ethical Standards for School Counselor’s (ASCA).
Professional associations establish codes of ethics to ensure that clinicians uphold the standards of their association in order to protect the clients they serve and the profession they are affiliated with. This paper will compare the codes of ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
At this point as a student, I believe I have a firm grasp on the foundations of the ACA Code of Ethics. The ACA Code of Ethics is organized for several valuable reasons. The ACA Code of Ethics serves the community, the members of the ACA, and helping professionals (CASEBOOK). The ACA Code of Ethics was created to protect and promote the wellness of the community, educate members of the helping profession and community, improve the practice of helping professionals, and protect the clients and the practitioners (LEGAL). The approach the ACA Code of Ethics uses is holding health professionals accountable for their clients. This allows clients to be protected and to be counseled in a safe and non-judgmental environment. There are five core values the ACA holds for all helping professionals. The first is enhancing growth and development for clients. The second core value is brining awareness to diversity and multicultural views. Third value is to promote social justice. Fourth value is building integrity and trust with the client. The last core value is practicing in an ethical manner (CASEBOOK). I understand the reason behind the ACA Code of Ethics, however I hope this class will teach me more about the individual codes.
In conclusion as I mentioned before counselors must remain confidential in all aspects of their job including testing and assessment. The ASCA and ACA provide codes of ethics to follow. Counselors should follow these code of ethics to prevent misuse of test, releasing client information and many more. Now that we live in an era where technology is advanced school counselors must be mindful to ensure that their clients information will remain confidential. There are numerous of assessments that require proper training before administering. Counselors must be competent in an assessment before they can administer it. It is up to counselor to determine of they are competent enough to administer a test but there are sources that can help a counselor
This essay aims to examine ethics, and the importance of using a code of ethics. It will discuss the counsellor’s personal values and professional values that should be used within the profession. There will be an exploration of the importance of contracting in the initial stage of counselling. At the end of this essay it is anticipated that the reader, will have a greater understanding of the importance of contracting with clients, confidentiality and its limitations, how to gather informed consent. It is anticipated that the reader will understand how vital it is for the counsellor to be aware of their own competence and limitations in order to keep the client safe and free from harm. Supervision and the importance of self care will be discussed and examined in order to stress the importance in maintaining a health effective therapeutic alliance.
Ethical issues in a counseling practice lay the foundation of a therapist in practice. Ethics are at the center of how the counseling process functions and operates in a successful manner for the clients who seek help in such a setting. In order for the counseling profession to be ethical and hold professional recognition, there are many facets that need to be examined and outlined to make sure all counselors and practitioners are functioning at the highest level and withholding their duties required by the counseling profession. The first introduction so to speak of the area of ethics also happens to be one of the first steps in counseling, which is the informed consent. The informed consent provides the basis of what happens or will be