AMHCA Code of Ethics
Revised 2015, 2020
AMHCA CODE OF ETHICS
Ethical Priorities
for Clinical Mental Health Counseling
How is the AMHCA Code of Ethics distinctive
for the profession?
Created by the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), the AMHCA Code of Ethics
focuses on the specific requirements for the ethical practice of Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHCs).
All recognized professions have codes of ethics to guide the conduct of practice in order to ensure the safety
of those served.
As noted throughout “Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession,” the acronym
LCMHC is used to refer to all categories of clinical mental health counselors. These categories include
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Students (CMHC Students) in supervised internships, postgraduate
Supervised Clinical Mental Health Counselors (Supervised CMHCs), and fully Licensed Clinical Mental
Health Counselors (LCMHCs).
However, in the AMHCA Code of Ethics, the acronym CMHC is used in lieu of LCMHC. CMHC Students,
Supervised CMHCs, and LCMHCs all provide mental health counseling services, including the diagnosis and
treatment of mental disorders. The AMHCA Code of Ethics clarifies that these documents apply to all CMHC
Students, Supervised CMHCs, and LCMHCs. Regardless of graduate-degree program title or state license
title, AMHCA Code of Ethics provides ethical guidelines for each of the clinical mental health counselor
categories.
Continuously updated to meet the needs of changing circumstances, the AMHCA Code of Ethics addresses the
crucial concerns of CMHCs. The association’s Ethics Committee, a standing committee, reviews, revises, and
adds to the AMHCA Code of Ethics in keeping with current standards of practice and applicable ethical
standards. This committee serves as a conduit for ethical questions. In this never-ending process, the
committee members solicit feedback from CMHCs. They also refer to the codes of ethics in order to be in
harmony with the other mental health professions (psychology, social work, and marriage and family therapy).
Nevertheless, AMHCA Code of Ethics reflects the unique needs of the clinical mental health counseling
profession.
With frequent updates, the Code of Ethics is often at the forefront of articulating developments in counseling
and psychotherapy. For example, technology advances in tele-health (distance counseling) prompted an
addition to the Code of Ethics to address the concerns of the public and the profession.
AMHCA Code of Ethics has been compared favorably in doctoral research to the codes of ethics of the other
mental health professions. It is the most singular discourse regarding ethics for CMHCs.
All members of AMHCA are required to comply with AMHCA Code of Ethics, which has been adopted by
some states as the standard of ethical practice for CMHCs. Whether or not a CMHC is bound by this Code of
Ethics, all CMHCs ethically should understand and act in accordance with it. AMHCA Code of Ethics is an
essential component of practicing clinical mental health counseling with professionalism and integrity. It is
required study for AMHCA qualifications and certifications.
In summation, AMHCA Code of Ethics offers guidelines for value-directed conduct. While ethical guidance for
the practice of clinical mental health counseling is its primary purpose, it is also intended to prompt
pondering about ethical thinking and practice. To be an ethical mental health counselor is to practice thinking
ethically in an ongoing self-deliberation and in discussions with other mental health professionals.
Using the most frequently asked ethics questions that mental health counselors have submitted, AMHCA’s
Ethics Committee has compiled the questions and the Committee’s answers into an online resource for
counselors. Anyone (whether or not a member of AMHCA) can submit a question for consideration. To
review the questions and answers, go to “Frequently Asked Questions on Ethics” at
www.amhca.org
/publications/ethics/ethicsfaq.
http://www.amhca.org/publications/ethics/ethicsfaq
The unabridged version of AMHCA Code of Ethics appears in Appendix C of “Essentials of the Clinical
Mental Health Counseling Profession,” and is also available at no cost from www.amhca.org/publications/ethics.
http://www.amhca.org/publications/ethics
AMHCA Code of Ethics (Revised 2020)
Preamble of the AMHCA Code of Ethics 1
I. Commitment to Clients 2
A. Counselor-Client Relationship 2
1. Primary Responsibility 2
2. Confidentiality 2
3. Dual/Multiple Relationships 3
4. Exploitive Relationships 4
5. Counseling Environments 4
B. Counseling Process 4
1. Treatment Plans 4
2. Informed Consent 4
3. Multiple Clients 5
4. Clients Served by Others 5
5. Termination and Referral 5
6. The Use of Technology Supported Counseling and Communications (TSCC) 6
7. Clients’ Rights 7
8. End-of-Life Care for Terminally Ill Clients 7
C. Counselor Responsibility and Integrity 7
1. Competence 7
2. Non-discrimination 8
3. Conflict of Interest 9
D. Assessment and Diagnosis 9
1. Selection and Administration 9
2. Interpretation and Reporting 9
3. Competence 10
4. Forensic Activity 10
E. Recordkeeping, Fee Arrangements, and Bartering 10
1. Recordkeeping 10
2. Fee Arrangements, Bartering, and Gifts 11
F. Other Roles 11
1. Consultant 11
2. Advocate 11
II. Commitment to Other Professionals 13
A. Relationship With Colleagues 13
B. Clinical Consultation 13
III. Commitment to Students, Supervisees, and
Employee Relationships
14
A. Relationships with Students, Interns, and Employees 14
B. Commitment for Clinical Supervision 14
1. Confidentiality of Clinical Supervision 14
IV. Commitment to the Profession 15
A. Teaching 15
B. Research and Publications 15
C. Service on Public or Private Boards and Other Organizations 15
V. Commitment to the Public 16
A. Public Statements 16
B. Marketing 16
VI. Resolution of Ethical Problems 17
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Preamble of the AMHCA Code of Ethics
The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) represents clinical mental health counselors
(CMHCs). As the professional association of CMHCs, AMHCA subscribes to rigorous standards for
education, training, and clinical practice. CMHCs are committed to increasing knowledge of human behavior
and understanding of themselves and others. CMHCs are highly skilled professionals who provide a full range
of counseling services in a variety of settings. CMHCs believe in the dignity and worth of the individual and
make every reasonable effort to protect human welfare. To this end, AMHCA establishes and promotes the
highest professional standards. CMHCs subscribe to and pledge to abide by the principles identified in the
AMHCA Code of Ethics.
AMHCA Code of Ethics is intended to establish ethical standards for all CMHCs, regardless of AMHCA
membership status. The code is a document intended as a guide to assist CMHCs to make sound ethical
decisions; to define ethical behaviors and best practices for CMHCs; to support the mission of the
association; and to educate members, students and the public at large regarding the ethical standards of
CMHCs. CMHCs are expected to utilize carefully considered ethical-decision making processes when faced
with ethical dilemmas.
CMHCs are responsible for being aware of federal and state laws, as well as administrative rules and
regulations, affecting and governing their practice. In their professional duties, CMHCs may encounter
conflicts between the AMHCA Code of Ethics and the law, or between local regulatory statute and state law.
CMHCs attempt to resolve these conflicts when they occur. When dealing with such conflicts, CMHCs
always consider the client’s best interest, including continuity of care. When conflicts are unresolvable,
CMHCs may adhere to the requirements of the law.
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I. Commitment to Clients
A. Counselor-Client Relationship
1. Primary Responsibility
CMHCs value objectivity and integrity in their commitment to understanding human behavior, and
they maintain the highest standards in providing mental health counseling services.
a. A primary ethical principle of all CMHCs is to ensure client autonomy and self-determination.
Therefore, barring cases of imminent harm to self or others, any therapeutic approach that
impedes an individual’s right to make informed choices is not in accordance with the AMHCA
Code of Ethics. For specific information regarding conversion therapy, see Appendix D, AMHCA
Statement on Reparative or Conversion Therapy, in “Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health
Counseling Profession.”
b. CMHCs communicate clearly with clients about the parameters of the counseling relationship. In
a professional disclosure statement, they may provide information about expectations and
responsibilities of both counselor and client in the counseling process, their professional
orientation and values regarding the counseling process, emergency procedures, supervision (as
applicable), and business practices.
2 Confidentiality
CMHCs have an obligation to safeguard information about individuals obtained in the course of
practice, teaching, and research. Personal information is communicated to others only with the
client’s consent, preferably written, or in circumstances dictated by state and federal laws. Disclosure
of counseling information is restricted to what is necessary and relevant.
a. Confidentiality is a right granted to all clients of mental health counseling services. From the
onset of the counseling relationship, CMHCs inform clients of these rights, including legal
limitations and exceptions.
b. The information in client records belongs to the client and shall not be shared without
permission granted through a formal release of information. In the event that a client requests
that information in client records be shared, CMHCs educate clients to the implications of
sharing the materials.
c. The release of information without the consent of the client may only take place under the most
extreme circumstances: the protection of life (suicidality or homicidality), child abuse, abuse of
persons legally determined as incompetent, and elder abuse. CMHCs are required to comply with
state and federal statutes concerning mandated reporting.
d. CMHCs (and their staff members) do not release information by request unless accompanied by
a specific release of information or a valid court order. CMHCs make every attempt to release
only the information necessary to comply with the request or valid court order. CMHCs are
advised to seek legal advice upon receiving a subpoena in order to respond appropriately.
e. The anonymity of clients served in public and other agencies is preserved, if at all possible, by
withholding names and personal identifying data. If external conditions require reporting such
information, the client shall be so informed.
f. Information received about a client by another agency or person should not be forwarded to
another person or agency without the client’s written permission.
g. CMHCs have the responsibility to report the validity of data shared with other parties.
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h. Case reports presented in classes, professional meetings, and publications shall be disguised so
that no identification of the client is possible. Permission must be obtained from clients prior to
disclosing their identity.
i. Counseling reports and records are maintained under conditions of security, and provisions are
made for their destruction as specified by state regulations. CMHCs ensure that all persons in
their employ, as well as volunteers, supervisees and interns, maintain the confidentiality of client
information.
j. Sessions with clients may be taped or otherwise recorded only with written permission of the
client or guardian. Even with a guardian’s written consent, CMHCs should not record a session
against the expressed wishes of a client. Such tapes should be destroyed after the timeframe
specified by state regulations.
k. The primary client owns the rights to confidentiality. When the primary client is a minor or adult
who has been legally determined to be incompetent, parents and guardians have legal access to
client information. When appropriate, parent(s) or guardian(s) may be included in the counseling
process; however, CMHCs take measures to safeguard client confidentiality within legal limits.
l. In working with families or groups, the rights to confidentiality of each member should be
safeguarded. CMHCs make clear that each member of the group has individual rights to
confidentiality. CMHCs discuss the limitations to confidentiality.
m. When using a computer to store confidential information, CMHCs control access to such
information. As specified by state regulations, the information may be deleted from the system.
n. CMHCs take necessary precautions to ensure client confidentiality of information transmitted
electronically through the use of a computer, e-mail, fax, telephone, voice mail, answering
machines, or any other electronic means as described in the Telehealth section of this document.
o. CMHCs protect the confidentiality of deceased clients in accordance with legal requirements and
agency or organizational policy.
p. CMHCs may disclose information to third-party payers only after clients have authorized such
disclosure or as permitted by federal and/or state statute.
3. Dual/Multiple Relationships
CMHCs are aware of their influential position with respect to their clients. CMHCs do not exploit
the trust of their clients, nor do they foster client dependency.
a. CMHCs make every effort to avoid dual/multiple relationships with clients that could impair
professional judgment or increase the risk of harm. Examples of such relationships may include,
but are not limited to, familial, social, financial, business, or close personal relationships with the
clients.
b. When deciding whether to enter a dual/multiple relationship with a client, former client, or close
relationship to the client, CMHCs will seek consultation and adhere to a credible decision-
making process prior to entering this relationship.
c. When a dual/multiple relationship cannot be avoided, CMHCs take appropriate professional
precautions such as informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation to ensure
that judgment is not impaired and that exploitation has not occurred.
d. CMHCs do not accept as clients any individual with whom they are involved in an
administrative, supervisory, or other relationship of an evaluative nature.
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4. Exploitive Relationships
CMHCs are aware of the intimacy and responsibilities inherent in the counseling relationship. They
maintain respect for the client and avoid actions that seek to meet their personal needs at the expense
of the client.
a. Romantic or sexual relationships with clients and their immediate family members (i.e., parents,
children, and partners) are strictly prohibited. CMHCs do not counsel persons with whom they
have had a previous sexual relationship.
b. CMHCs should not knowingly enter into a romantic or sexual relationship with a former client.
If a CMHC chooses to enter into such a relationship, the burden to demonstrate that neither
coercion nor harm to the client has transpired is on the CMHC and not the former client.
c. Determining the risk of exploitive relationships includes, but is not limited to, factors such as
duration of counseling, amount of time since counseling, termination circumstances, the client’s
personal history and mental status, and the potential adverse impact on the former client.
d. CMHCs are aware of their own values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors, as well as how these
apply in a society with clients from diverse ethnic, social, cultural, religious, and economic
backgrounds. CMHCs do not impose their personal values on clients.
5. Counseling Environments
CMHCs will attempt to provide an accessible counseling environment to individuals with disabilities.
a. To the extent possible, counseling environments should be accessible to all clients, including
those with disabilities.
b. Counseling environments should allow for private and confidential conversations.
B. Counseling Process
1. Treatment Plans
CMHCs may use treatment plans to direct their work with clients.
a. CMHCs and their clients work jointly to devise integrated, individual treatment plans that offer
reasonable promise of success and are consistent with the abilities; ethnic, social, cultural, and
values backgrounds; and circumstances of the clients.
2. Informed Consent
Clients have the right to understand what to expect in counseling and the freedom to choose whether
and with whom they enter a counseling relationship.
a. CMHCs provide information that allows clients to make an informed decision about selecting a
provider. Such information typically includes counselor credentials, confidentiality protections
and limits, the use of tests and inventories, diagnoses, reporting, billing, and therapeutic process.
Restrictions that limit clients’ autonomy are explained.
b. When a client is unable to provide consent, CMHCs act in the client’s best interest. Parents and
legal guardians are informed about the confidential nature of the counseling relationship.
CMHCs embrace the diversity of family systems and the inherent rights and responsibilities
parents/guardians have for the welfare of their children. CMHCs strive to establish collaborative
relationships with parents/guardians to best serve their minor clients.
c. Informed consent is ongoing and needs to be reassessed throughout the counseling relationship.
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d. CMHCs inform the client of specific limitations, potential risks, and/or potential benefits
relevant to the client’s anticipated use of online counseling services.
3. Multiple Clients
When working with multiple clients, CMHCs respect individual client rights and maintain objectivity.
a. When CMHCs agree to provide counseling services to two or more persons who have a
relationship (such as spouses, or parents and children), CMHCs clarify at the outset the nature of
the relationship they will have with each involved person.
b. If it becomes apparent that CMHCs are unable to maintain objectivity, resulting in conflicting
roles, they must appropriately clarify, adjust, or withdraw from roles.
c. Rules of confidentiality extend to all clients who receive services, not just those identified as
primary clients.
d. When working in groups, CMHCs make every effort to screen prospective group counseling
participants. Every effort is made to select members whose needs and goals are compatible with
goals of the group, who will not impede the group process, and whose well-being will not be
jeopardized by the group experience.
e. In the group counseling setting, CMHCs take reasonable precautions to protect clients from
physical, emotional, and psychological harm or trauma.
4. Clients Served by Others
It is highly recommended that CMHCs should not knowingly enter into counseling relationships with
a person being served by another mental health professional, unless all parties have been informed
and agree.
a. When clients choose to change professionals but have not terminated services with the former
professional, it is important, if appropriate, to encourage the individual to first deal with that
termination prior to entering into a new therapeutic relationship.
b. When clients work with multiple providers, when appropriate, it is important to secure
permission to work collaboratively with the other professional involved.
5. Termination and Referral
CMHCs do not abandon or neglect their counseling clients.
a. Assistance is given in making appropriate arrangements for the continuation of treatment, when
necessary, during interruptions such as vacation and following termination.
b. CMHCs may terminate a counseling relationship when it is reasonably clear that the client is no
longer benefiting, when services are no longer required, when counseling no longer serves the
needs and/or interests of the client, or when agency or institution limits do not allow provision
of further counseling services.
c. CMHCs may terminate a counseling relationship when clients do not pay fees charged or when
insurance denies treatment. In such cases, appropriate referrals are offered to the clients.
d. If CMHCs determine that services are not beneficial to the client, they avoid immediately
terminating the counseling relationship. Instead, appropriate referrals are made. If clients decline
the suggested referral, CMHCs may discontinue the relationship.
e. When CMHCs refer clients to other professionals, they will be collaborative.
f. CMHCs take steps to develop a safety plan if clients are at risk of being harmed or are suicidal. If
necessary, they refer to appropriate resources and contact appropriate support.
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6. The Use of Technology Supported Counseling and Communications (TSCC)
CMHCs recognize that technology has become culturally normative worldwide and may employ
modern technology communications judiciously, attentive to both the benefits and risks to clients
and to the therapeutic process of using technologies to arrange, deliver, or support counseling.
a. CMHCs understand that the uses of TSCC in counseling may be considered to fall under the
following categories:
i. The use of TSCC as the medium for counseling, also called “telehealth” or “distance
counseling,” which includes but is not limited to the delivery of counseling by video call
(e.g., internet, video chat), by voice (e.g., telephone), by synchronous text (e.g., chat or SMS),
or by asynchronous text (e.g., email)
ii. The use of TSCC as an adjunct to counseling (i.e., for arranging, coordinating, or paying for
counseling services), including the use of payment processing services that are integrated
with TSCC (e.g. PayPal, Stripe, Zelle) for receipt of payment for counseling services
iii. The use of online “cloud-based” services for the storage of counseling records
iv. Marketing, educational forums, and other TSCC to include blogs, webpages, chatroom, etc.
b. CMHCs recognize that federal, state, and local laws prevail and that the standard of care for
TSCC is expected in the same manner as face-to-face and in-office counseling. Continuity of care
is crucial and, at times, may conflict with local laws and regulations. CMHCs should employ a
solid ethical decision-making model to secure continuity of care.
c. CMHCs are not required to provide services via TSCC or may decide not to offer services based
on appropriateness.
d. CMHCs only provide telehealth or distance counseling when they have had sufficient training
which can be gained through education, supervision, or other appropriate activities (see the
TSCC section of AMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling in
Appendix B of the “Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession” text or
online at www.amhca.org/publications/standards).
e. CMHCs need to be familiar with state laws and regulations in both the state in which the CMHC
is licensed and the state in which the client is presently located.
f. At the beginning of a course of distance counseling, CMHCs acquire the contact information for
emergency services in the location of the client and develop a procedure to follow in the event of
a psychiatric or health emergency.
g. In states where there is a legal requirement that CMHCs must include in the client record client
communications through TSCC, CMHCs inform the client of that fact.
h. Unless email and text messages are encrypted or otherwise secured or confidential, the client
should be informed of the risks and discouraged from using as a means to disclose personal
information.
i. Chat Rooms: Typically, unsecured, open chat rooms are discouraged as a platform for
communicating with clients.
j. CMHCs may maintain professional profiles that are kept separate from personal profiles.
CMHCs need to be aware of their impact on clients should personal information or opinions be
disclosed in a public platform. When applicable, CMHCs educate clients on confidentiality,
implications for client activity on these pages, and appropriate channels for contacting CMHCs.
http://www.amhca.org/
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k. CMHCs only seek information about their clients through internet searches for the purpose of
determining their own or their client’s safety, as necessary to conduct a forensic evaluation, or at
the client’s request.
7. Clients’ Rights
Clients have the right to be treated with dignity, consideration, and respect at all times. Clients have
the right to:
a. Quality services provided by concerned, trained professionals and competent staff.
b. Confidentiality within the limits of both federal and state law, to be informed about the
exceptions to confidentiality, and to expect that no information will be released without the
client’s knowledge and written consent.
c. Information such as time of sessions, payment plans/fees, absences, access, emergency
procedures, third-party reimbursement procedures, termination and referral procedures, and
advanced notice of the use of collection agencies.
d. Clear information about the purposes and goals of counseling.
e. Appropriate information regarding the CMHC’s education, training, and practice limitations.
f. Full, knowledgeable, and responsible participation in the ongoing treatment plan to the
maximum extent feasible.
g. Obtain information about their case record and to have this information explained clearly and
directly.
h. Request information and/or consultation regarding the progress of their therapy.
i. Refuse any recommended services, techniques, or approaches and to be advised of the
consequences of this action.
j. A safe environment for counseling free of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
k. A clearly defined termination process, and to discontinue therapy at any time.
8. End-of-Life Care for Terminally Ill Clients
a. CMHCs ensure that clients receive quality end-of-life care for their physical, emotional, social,
and spiritual needs. This includes providing clients with an opportunity to participate in
informed decision-making regarding their end-of-life care, and a thorough assessment from a
qualified professional of clients’ ability to make competent decisions on their behalf.
b. CMHCs are aware of their own competency as it relates to end-of-life decisions. When CMHCs
assess that they are unable to work with clients on the exploration of end-of-life options, they
make appropriate referrals to ensure clients receive appropriate help.
c. Depending on the applicable state laws, the circumstances of the situation, and after seeking
consultation and supervision from competent professional and legal entities, CMHCs have the
option to respect the confidentiality of terminally ill clients who plan to end their lives.
C. Counselor Responsibility and Integrity
1. Competence
The maintenance of high standards of professional competence is a responsibility shared by all
CMHCs in the best interests of the client, the public, and the profession. CMHCs:
a. Recognize the boundaries of their particular competencies and the limitations of their expertise.
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b. Provide only those services and use only those techniques for which they are qualified by
education, training, or experience.
c. Maintain knowledge of relevant scientific and professional information related to the services
rendered and recognize the need for ongoing education.
d. Represent accurately their competence, education, training, and experience including licenses and
certifications.
e. Perform their duties as teaching professionals based on careful preparation, so that their
instruction is accurate and educational.
f. Recognize the importance of continuing education and remain open to new counseling
approaches and procedures documented by peer-reviewed scientific and professional literature.
g. Recognize the important need to be competent with respect to cultural diversity; CMHCs are
sensitive to the diversity of different populations and to changes in cultural expectations and
values over time.
h. Recognize that their effectiveness is dependent on their own mental and physical health. Should
their professional judgment or competency be compromised for any reason, they seek capable
professional assistance to determine whether to limit, suspend, or terminate services to their
clients.
i. Have a responsibility to maintain high standards of professional conduct at all times.
j. Take appropriate steps to informally resolve ethical issues with colleagues, when appropriate, by
bringing concerns to their attention. When informal resolution is inappropriate, CMHCs may
pursue more formal options, such as state licensing boards.
k. Have a responsibility to empower clients, when appropriate.
l. Are aware of the intimacy of the counseling relationship, maintain a healthy respect for the
integrity of the client, and avoid engaging in activities that seek to meet the CMHC’s personal
needs at the expense of the client.
m. Actively attempt to understand the diverse cultural backgrounds of the clients with whom they
work. This includes learning how the CMHC’s own cultural/ethical/racial/religious identities
impact their own values and beliefs about the counseling process.
n. Are responsible for continuing education and remaining abreast of current trends and changes in
the field, including the professional literature on best practices.
o. Develop a plan for termination of practice, death, or incapacitation by assigning a colleague or
records custodian to handle transfer of clients and files.
p. Make an effort to avoid using language that may be offensive to individuals.
2. Non-Discrimination
a. CMHCs do not condone or engage in discrimination based on ability status, age, culture,
ethnicity, sex, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, political beliefs, sexual orientation,
relationship status, or socioeconomic status.
b. CMHCs do not condone or engage in sexual harassment.
c. CMHCs have a responsibility to educate themselves about their own biases toward those of
different races, creeds, identities, orientations, cultures, and physical and mental abilities, and
then to seek consultation, supervision, and/or counseling in order to prevent those biases from
interfering with the counseling process.
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3. Conflict of Interest
a. CMHCs are aware of possible conflicts of interest that may arise among counselors, employers,
consultants, and other professionals.
b. CMHCs may choose to consult with any other professionally competent person about a client,
assuring that no conflict of interest exists. When conflicts occur, CMHCs clarify the nature of
the conflict, inform all parties of the nature of their loyalties and responsibilities, and keep all
parties informed of their commitments.
D. Assessment and Diagnosis
1. Selection and Administration
CMHCs utilize educational, psychological, diagnostic, and career assessment instruments (herein
referenced as “tests”), interviews, and other assessment techniques and diagnostic tools in the
counseling process for the purpose of determining the client’s particular needs.
a. CMHCs choose assessment methods that are reliable, valid, and appropriate based on their
client’s age, gender, race, ability status, etc. If tests must be used in the absence of information
regarding the aforementioned factors, the limitations of generalizability should be duly noted.
b. In selecting assessment tools, CMHCs justify the logic of their choices in relation to the client’s
needs and the clinical context in which the assessment occurs.
c. CMHCs avoid using outdated or obsolete tests and remain current regarding test publications
and revisions.
d. CMHCs use assessments only in the context of professional, academic, or training relationships.
e. CMHCs provide the client with appropriate information regarding the reason for the assessment
and to whom the report will be distributed.
f. CMHCs provide an appropriate assessment environment.
2. Interpretation and Reporting
CMHCs respects the rights and dignity of the client in assessment, interpretation, and diagnosis of
mental disorders and make every effort to assure that the client receives appropriate treatment.
a. CMHCs base their diagnoses and other assessment summaries on multiple sources of data
whenever possible.
b. CMHCs consider multicultural factors in test interpretation, diagnosis, and the formulation of
prognosis and treatment recommendations.
c. CMHCs are responsible for evaluating the quality of computer software interpretations of test
data. CMHCs should obtain information regarding the validity of computerized test
interpretation before utilizing such an approach.
d. CMHCs clearly explain test results in their summaries and reports.
e. CMHCs write reports in a style that is clear, concise, and understandable for the lay reader.
f. CMHCs provide test results in a neutral and nonjudgmental manner.
g. CMHCs are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and security of assessment reports, test
data, and test materials regardless of how the material is maintained or transmitted.
h. CMHCs train their staff to respect the confidentiality of test reports.
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i. CMHCs and their staff members do not release an assessment or evaluation report by request
unless accompanied by a specific release of information or a valid court order. By itself, a
subpoena may be an insufficient reason to release a report. In such a case, the counselor should
inform the client of the situation. If the client refuses release, the CMHC coordinates between
the client’s attorney and the requesting attorney to protect client confidentiality and the
counselor’s legal welfare.
3. Competence
CMHCs employ only those diagnostic tools and assessment instruments they are trained to use by
education or supervised training and clinical experience.
a. CMHCs seek appropriate workshops, supervision, and training to familiarize themselves with
assessment techniques and the use of specific assessment instruments.
b. CMHC supervisors ensure that their supervisees have adequate training in interpretation before
allowing them to evaluate tests independently.
4. Forensic Activity
CMHCs who are requested or required to perform forensic functions such as assessments,
interviews, consultations, report writing, responding to subpoenas, or offering expert testimony
comply with the provisions of the AMHCA Code of Ethics and act in accordance with applicable state
and federal law.
a. CMHCs who engage in forensic activity are expected to possess appropriate knowledge and
competence.
b. When conducting interviews, writing reports, or offering testimony, CMHCs objectively offer
their findings without bias or investment in the ultimate outcome.
c. CMHCs inform clients involved in a forensic evaluation about the limits of confidentiality, the
role of the CMHC, and the purpose of the assessment.
d. CMHCs’ written forensic reports and recommendations are based on information and
techniques appropriate to the evaluation.
e. CMHCs do not provide written conclusions or forensic testimony regarding any individual
without assessment of that individual adequate to support statements and conclusions offered in
the forensic setting.
f. When testifying, CMHCs clearly present their qualifications and specialized training. They
accurately describe the basis for their professional judgment, conclusions, and testimony.
g. CMHCs do not typically provide forensic evaluations for individuals whom they are currently
counseling or have counseled in the past. Conversely, CMHCs do not typically counsel
individuals they are currently evaluating, or have evaluated in the past, for forensic purposes.
h. Forensic CMHCs do not act as an advocate for the legal system, perpetrators, or victims of
criminal activity.
E. Record-Keeping, Fee Arrangements, and Bartering
1. Recordkeeping
CMHCs create and maintain accurate and adequate clinical and financial records.
a. CMHCs create, maintain, store, transfer, and dispose of client records in ways that protect
confidentiality and are in accordance with applicable regulations or laws.
AMHCA Code of Ethics (Revised 2020)
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11
b. CMHCs establish a plan for the transfer, storage, and disposal of client records in the event of
withdrawal from practice or death of the counselor in a manner that maintains confidentiality
and protects the welfare of the client.
c. When CMHCs choose to exceed state minimum requirements for maintaining records, they
must notify clients in their informed consent.
d. All communication regarding mental health treatment, including emails and texts, should be kept.
2. Fee Arrangements, Bartering, and Gifts
CMHCs are cognizant of cultural norms in relation to fee arrangements, bartering, and gifts. CMHCs
clearly explain to clients, early in the counseling relationship, all financial arrangements related to
counseling.
a. CMHCs usually refrain from accepting goods or services from clients in return for counseling
services, because such arrangements may create the potential for conflicts, exploitation, and
distortion of the professional relationship. However, bartering may occur if the client requests it,
there is no exploitation, and the cultural implications and other concerns of such practice are
discussed with the client and agreed on in writing.
b. CMHCs are encouraged to contribute to society by providing pro bono, volunteer, or reduced
rate/sliding scale services when feasible.
c. When accepting gifts, CMHCs take into consideration the therapeutic relationship, motivation of
giving, the counselor’s motivation for receiving or declining, cultural norms, and the value of the
gift.
F. Other Roles
1. Consultant
CMHCs, when in a consulting role, have a high degree of self-awareness of their own values,
knowledge, skills, and needs in entering a helping relationship that involves human and/or
organizational change.
a. The focus of the consulting relationship is on the issues to be resolved and not on the personal
characteristics of those presenting the consulting issues.
b. CMHCs develop an understanding of the problem presented by the client and secure an
agreement with the client, specifying the terms and nature of the consulting relationship.
c. CMHCs ensure, whenever feasible, that they and their clients have the competencies and
resources necessary to follow the consultation plan.
d. CMHCs encourage adaptability and growth toward self-direction.
e. CMHCs keep all proprietary and client information confidential.
f. CMHCs avoid conflicts of interest in selecting consultation clients.
2. Advocate
CMHCs are encouraged to advocate at the individual, institutional, professional, and societal level to
foster sociopolitical change that advances client and community welfare.
a. CMHCs are aware of and make every effort to avoid pitfalls of advocacy including conflicts of
interest, inappropriate relationships, and other negative consequences. CMHCs remain sensitive
to the potential personal and cultural impact on clients of their advocacy efforts.
AMHCA Code of Ethics (Revised 2020)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
12
b. CMHCs may encourage clients to challenge familial, institutional, and societal obstacles to their
growth and development and they may advocate on the clients’ behalf. CMHCs remain aware of
the potential dangers of becoming overly involved as an advocate.
c. CMHCs generally speak only on their own behalf. When authorized to speak on the behalf of a
counseling organization, they make every effort to be clear and cautious in their communication,
accurately portraying the position of the authorizing organization.
d. CMHCs endeavor to speak factually and discern facts from opinions.
AMHCA Code of Ethics (Revised 2020)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
13
II. Commitment to Other Professionals
A. Relationship with Colleagues
1. CMHCs treat colleagues and other professionals with respect.
2. CMHCs understand how related professions complement their work and make full use of other
professional, technical, and administrative resources that best serve the interests of clients.
3. CMHCs treat professional colleagues with dignity and respect. Professional discourse should be free
of personal attacks. CMHC recognize and respect professional cultural differences.
4. CMHCs respect the viability, reputation, and proprietary rights of organizations that they serve.
5. Credit is assigned to those who have contributed to a publication in proportion to their contribution.
6. CMHCs do not accept or offer referral fees from other professionals.
7. When CMHCs have knowledge of the impairment, incompetence, or unethical conduct of a mental
health professional, they are expected to attempt to rectify the situation. Failing an informal
resolution, CMHCs should bring such unethical activities to the attention of the appropriate state
licensing board and/or the ethics committee of the professional association.
B. Clinical Consultation
CMHCs may offer or seek clinical consultation from other mental health professionals. In clinical
consultation, CMHCs provide critical and supportive feedback. Clinical consultation does not imply
hierarchy or responsibility for client outcome.
AMHCA Code of Ethics (Revised 2020)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
14
III. Commitment to Students, Supervisees, and Employee Relationships
A. Relationships with Students, Interns, and Employees
CMHCs respect the integrity and welfare of supervisees, students, and employees. These relationships
typically include an evaluative component and therefore need to be maintained on a professional and
confidential basis. For more information about supervision disclosure, please see Appendix E, Clinical
Supervision Disclosure Template, in “Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession.”
1. CMHCs recognize the influential position they have with regard to both current and former
supervisees, students, and employees and avoid exploiting their trust and dependency.
2. CMHCs do not engage in ongoing counseling relationships with current supervisees, students, and
employees.
3. Sexual behavior with supervisees, students, and employees is unethical.
4. CMHCs do not engage in harassment of supervisees, students, employees, or colleagues.
5. CMHC supervisors ensure that their supervisees, students, and employees accurately represent their
training, experience, and credentials.
6. In the informed consent statement, students and supervisees notify the client that they are in
supervision and provide their clients with the name and credentials of their supervisor.
7. Students and supervisees have the same ethical obligations to clients as those required of CMHCs.
8. Supervisors should provide written informed consent prior to beginning a supervision relationship.
B. Commitment for Clinical Supervision
Clinical supervision is an important component of the counseling process. Supervision assists the
supervisee to provide the best treatment possible to counseling clients and to provide training to the
supervisee, which is an integral part of counselor education. Supervision also serves a gatekeeping process
to ensure safety to the client, the profession, and to the supervisee.
1. Confidentiality of Clinical Supervision
Clinical supervision is a part of the treatment process, and therefore all of the clinical information
shared between a supervisee and supervisor is confidential. Clinical supervisors do not disclose client
information except:
a. To prevent clear and imminent danger to a person or persons
b. As mandated by law for child or senior abuse reporting
c. When there is a written waiver of confidentiality obtained prior to such a release of information
d. When the release of records or information is permitted by state or federal law
e. In educational or training settings when information has effectively been deidentified or when
written permission has been obtained from the client
AMHCA Code of Ethics (Revised 2020)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
15
IV. Commitment to the Profession
CMHCs promote the mission, goals, values, and knowledge of the profession. They engage in activities
that maintain and increase the respect, integrity, and knowledge base of the counseling profession and
human welfare. Such activities include but are not limited to teaching, research, serving on professional
boards, and membership in professional associations.
A. Teaching
As teaching professionals, CMHCs perform their duties based on careful preparation to provide
instruction that is accurate, current, and educational.
B. Research and Publications
As researchers, CMHCs conduct investigations and publish findings with respect for the dignity and
welfare of the participants and integrity of the profession.
1. The ethical researcher seeks advice from other professionals if any plan of research suggests a
deviation from any ethical principle of research with human participants. Such deviation protects the
dignity and welfare of the client and places on the researcher a special burden to act in the
participant’s interest.
2. The ethical researcher is open and honest in the relationship with research participants.
3. The ethical researcher protects participants from physical and mental discomfort, harm, and danger.
If the risks of such consequences exist, the investigator is required to inform participants of that fact,
secure consent before proceeding, and take all possible measures to minimize the distress.
4. The ethical researcher instructs research participants that they are free to withdraw from participation
at any time.
5. The ethical researcher understands that information obtained about research participants during the
course of an investigation is confidential. When the possibility exists that others may obtain access to
such information, participants are made aware of the possibility and the plan for protecting
confidentiality and for storage and disposal of research records.
6. The ethical researcher gives sponsoring agencies, host institutions, and publication channels the same
respect and opportunity for informed consent that they accord to individual research participants.
7. The ethical researcher is aware of the obligation to future research and ensures that host institutions
are given feedback and proper acknowledgement.
C. Service on Public or Private Boards and Other Organizations
When serving as members of governmental or other organizational bodies, CMHCs represent the
counseling profession and are accountable as individuals to the Code of Ethics of the American Mental
Health Counselors Association.
AMHCA Code of Ethics (Revised 2020)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
16
V. Commitment to the Public
CMHCs recognize they have a moral, legal, and ethical responsibility to the community and to the general
public. CMHCs are aware of the prevailing community and cultural values, and the impact of professional
standards on the community.
A. Public Statements
In their professional roles, CMHCs may be expected or required to make public statements providing
counseling information or professional opinions, or supply information about the availability of
counseling products and services. CMHCs accurately represent their education, professional
qualifications, licenses, and credentials. Public statements serve the purpose of providing information to
aid the public in making informed judgments and choices. Public statements will be consistent with this
AMHCA Code of Ethics.
B. Marketing
When advertising or promoting their professional services, CMHCs include only information that
is accurate.
AMHCA Code of Ethics (Revised 2020)
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17
VI. Resolution of Ethical Problems
AMHCA members are encouraged to consult with the AMHCA Ethics Committee regarding processes
to resolve ethical dilemmas that may arise in clinical practice. Members are also encouraged to use
commonly recognized procedures for ethical decision-making to resolve ethical conflicts. For an example
of an ethical decision-making model, see Appendix F, The AMHCA Ethical Decision-Making Model, in
“Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession.”
The American Mental Health Counselors Association, its board of directors, and its national Committee
on Ethics do not investigate or adjudicate ethical complaints. In the event a member has his or her
license suspended or revoked by an appropriate state licensure board, the AMHCA board of directors
may then act in accordance with AMHCA’s by-laws to suspend or revoke his or her membership.
Any member so suspended may apply for reinstatement upon the reinstatement of his or her licensure.
In “Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession,” see these related appendixes for
supporting documentation regarding the following topics:
❑ AMHCA Statement on Reparative or Conversion Therapy (Appendix D)
❑ AMHCA Clinical Supervision Disclosure Template (Appendix E)
❑ The AMHCA Ethical Decision-Making Model (Appendix F)
❑ Other relevant position papers (Appendixes G and H)
For more information, please review the “Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession”
and the AMHCA website at www.amhca.org.
http://www.amhca.org/
American Mental Health Counselors Association
107 S. West St, Suite 110
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-6002
www.amhca.org
counseling.org
2014ACA
Code of Ethics
As approved by the ACA Governing Council
AMERICAN COUNSELING
ASSOCIATION
• 2 •
© 2014 by the American Counseling Association.
All rights reserved. Note: This document may be reproduced in its entirety without permission for non-commercial
purposes only.
ACA Code of Ethics Preamble • 3
ACA Code of Ethics Purpose • 3
Section A
The Counseling Relationship • 4
Section B
Confidentiality and Privacy • 6
Section C
Professional Responsibility • 8
Section D
Relationships With Other Professionals • 10
Section E
Evaluation, Assessment, and
Interpretation • 11
Section F
Supervision, Training, and Teaching • 12
Section G
Research and Publication • 15
Section H
Distance Counseling, Technology,
and Social Media • 17
Section I
Resolving Ethical Issues • 18
Glossary of Terms • 20
Index • 21
Mission
The mission of the American Counseling Association
is to enhance the quality of life in society by promoting
the development of professional counselors, advancing
the counseling profession, and using the profession and
practice of counseling to promote respect for human
dignity and diversity.
Contents
• 3 •
ACA Code of Ethics Purpose
The ACA Code of Ethics serves six main purposes:
1. The Code sets forth the ethical obligations of ACA members and provides guidance intended to inform the ethical
practice of professional counselors.
2. The Code identifies ethical considerations relevant to professional counselors and counselors-in-training.
3. The Code enables the association to clarify for current and prospective members, and for those served by members,
the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by its members.
4. The Code serves as an ethical guide designed to assist members in constructing a course of action that best serves
those utilizing counseling services and establishes expectations of conduct with a primary emphasis on the role of
the professional counselor.
5. The Code helps to support the mission of ACA.
6. The standards contained in this Code serve as the basis for processing inquiries and ethics complaints
concerning ACA members.
The ACA Code of Ethics contains nine main sections that ad-
dress the following areas:
Section A: The Counseling Relationship
Section B: Confidentiality
and Privacy
Section C: Professional
Responsibility
Section D: Relationships With Other Professionals
Section E: Evaluation, Assessment, and Interpretation
Section F: Supervision, Training, and Teaching
Section G: Research and Publication
Section H: Distance Counseling, Technology, and
Social Media
Section I: Resolving Ethical Issues
Each section of the ACA Code of Ethics begins with an
introduction. The introduction to each section describes the
ethical behavior and responsibility to which counselors aspire.
The introductions help set the tone for each particular sec-
tion and provide a starting point that invites reflection on the
ethical standards contained in each part of the ACA Code of
Ethics. The standards outline professional responsibilities and
provide direction for fulfilling those ethical responsibilities.
When counselors are faced with ethical dilemmas that
are difficult to resolve, they are expected to engage in a care-
fully considered ethical decision-making process, consulting
available resources as needed. Counselors acknowledge
that resolving ethical issues is a process; ethical reasoning
includes consideration of professional values, professional
ethical principles, and ethical standards.
Counselors’ actions should be consistent with the spirit
as well as the letter of these ethical standards. No specific
ethical decision-making model is always most effective, so
counselors are expected to use a credible model of deci-
sion making that can bear public scrutiny of its applica-
tion. Through a chosen ethical decision-making process
and evaluation of the context of the situation, counselors
work collaboratively with clients to make decisions that
promote clients’ growth and development. A breach of the
standards and principles provided herein does not neces-
sarily constitute legal liability or violation of the law; such
action is established in legal and judicial proceedings.
The glossary at the end of the Code provides a concise
description of some of the terms used in the ACA Code
of Ethics.
ACA Code of Ethics Preamble
The American Counseling Association (ACA) is an educational, scientific, and professional organization whose members
work in a variety of settings and serve in multiple capacities. Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse
individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
Professional values are an important way of living out an ethical commitment. The following are core professional values
of the counseling profession:
1. enhancing human development throughout the life span;
2. honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and
uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts;
3. promoting social justice;
4. safeguarding the integrity of the counselor–client relationship; and
5. practicing in a competent and ethical manner.
These professional values provide a conceptual basis for the ethical principles enumerated below. These principles are
the foundation for ethical behavior and decision making. The fundamental principles of professional ethical behavior are
• autonomy, or fostering the right to control the direction of one’s life;
• nonmaleficence, or avoiding actions that cause harm;
• beneficence, or working for the good of the individual and society by promoting mental health and well-being;
• justice, or treating individuals equitably and fostering fairness and equality;
• fidelity, or honoring commitments and keeping promises, including fulfilling one’s responsibilities of trust in
professional relationships; and
• veracity, or dealing truthfully with individuals with whom counselors come into professional contact.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 4 •
A.2.c. Developmental and
Cultural Sensitivity
Counselors communicate information
in ways that are both developmentally
and culturally appropriate. Counselors
use clear and understandable language
when discussing issues related to
informed consent. When clients have
difficulty understanding the language
that counselors use, counselors provide
necessary services (e.g., arranging for
a qualified interpreter or translator)
to ensure comprehension by clients.
In collaboration with clients, coun-
selors consider cultural implications
of informed consent procedures and,
where possible, counselors adjust their
practices accordingly.
A.2.d. Inability to Give Consent
When counseling minors, incapaci-
tated adults, or other persons unable
to give voluntary consent, counselors
seek the assent of clients to services
and include them in decision making
as appropriate. Counselors recognize
the need to balance the ethical rights
of clients to make choices, their capac-
ity to give consent or assent to receive
services, and parental or familial legal
rights and responsibilities to protect
these clients and make decisions on
their behalf.
A.2.e. Mandated Clients
Counselors discuss the required
limitations to confidentiality when
working with clients who have been
mandated for counseling services.
Counselors also explain what type
of information and with whom that
information is shared prior to the
beginning of counseling. The client
may choose to refuse services. In this
case, counselors will, to the best of
their ability, discuss with the client
the potential consequences of refusing
counseling services.
A.3. Clients Served by Others
When counselors learn that their clients
are in a professional relationship with
other mental health professionals, they
request release from clients to inform
the other professionals and strive to
establish positive and collaborative
professional relationships.
A.4. Avoiding Harm and
Imposing Values
A.4.a. Avoiding Harm
Counselors act to avoid harming their
clients, trainees, and research par-
ticipants and to minimize or to remedy
unavoidable or unanticipated harm.
A.1.d. Support Network
Involvement
Counselors recognize that support
networks hold various meanings in
the lives of clients and consider en-
listing the support, understanding,
and involvement of others (e.g., reli-
gious/spiritual/community leaders,
family members, friends) as positive
resources, when appropriate, with
client consent.
A.2. Informed Consent
in the Counseling
Relationship
A.2.a. Informed Consent
Clients have the freedom to choose
whether to enter into or remain in
a counseling relationship and need
adequate information about the
counseling process and the counselor.
Counselors have an obligation to re-
view in writing and verbally with cli-
ents the rights and responsibilities of
both counselors and clients. Informed
consent is an ongoing part of the
counseling process, and counselors
appropriately document discussions
of informed consent throughout the
counseling relationship.
A.2.b. Types of Information
Needed
Counselors explicitly explain to clients
the nature of all services provided.
They inform clients about issues such
as, but not limited to, the follow-
ing: the purposes, goals, techniques,
procedures, limitations, potential
risks, and benefits of services; the
counselor’s qualifications, credentials,
relevant experience, and approach to
counseling; continuation of services
upon the incapacitation or death of
the counselor; the role of technol-
ogy; and other pertinent information.
Counselors take steps to ensure that
clients understand the implications of
diagnosis and the intended use of tests
and reports. Additionally, counselors
inform clients about fees and billing
arrangements, including procedures
for nonpayment of fees. Clients have
the right to confidentiality and to be
provided with an explanation of its
limits (including how supervisors
and/or treatment or interdisciplinary
team professionals are involved), to
obtain clear information about their
records, to participate in the ongoing
counseling plans, and to refuse any
services or modality changes and to
be advised of the consequences of
such refusal.
Section A
The Counseling
Relationship
Introduction
Counselors facilitate client growth
and development in ways that foster
the interest and welfare of clients and
promote formation of healthy relation-
ships. Trust is the cornerstone of the
counseling relationship, and counselors
have the responsibility to respect and
safeguard the client’s right to privacy
and confidentiality. Counselors actively
attempt to understand the diverse cul-
tural backgrounds of the clients they
serve. Counselors also explore their own
cultural identities and how these affect
their values and beliefs about the coun-
seling process. Additionally, counselors
are encouraged to contribute to society
by devoting a portion of their profes-
sional activities for little or no financial
return (pro bono publico).
A.1. Client Welfare
A.1.a. Primary Responsibility
The primary responsibility of counsel-
ors is to respect the dignity and promote
the welfare of clients.
A.1.b. Records and
Documentation
Counselors create, safeguard, and
maintain documentation necessary
for rendering professional services.
Regardless of the medium, counselors
include sufficient and timely docu-
mentation to facilitate the delivery and
continuity of services. Counselors
take reasonable steps to ensure that
documentation accurately reflects cli-
ent progress and services provided.
If amendments are made to records
and documentation, counselors take
steps to properly note the amendments
according to agency or institutional
policies.
A.1.c. Counseling Plans
Counselors and their clients work
jointly in devising counseling plans
that offer reasonable promise of
success and are consistent with the
abilities, temperament, developmental
level, and circumstances of clients.
Counselors and clients regularly re-
view and revise counseling plans to
assess their continued viability and
effectiveness, respecting clients’ free-
dom of choice.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 5 •
A.4.b. Personal Values
Counselors are aware of—and avoid
imposing—their own values, attitudes,
beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors
respect the diversity of clients, train-
ees, and research participants and
seek training in areas in which they
are at risk of imposing their values
onto clients, especially when the
counselor ’s values are inconsistent
with the client’s goals or are discrimina-
tory in nature.
A.5. Prohibited
Noncounseling Roles
and Relationships
A.5.a. Sexual and/or
Romantic Relationships
Prohibited
Sexual and/or romantic counselor–
client interactions or relationships with
current clients, their romantic partners,
or their family members are prohibited.
This prohibition applies to both in-
person and electronic interactions or
relationships.
A.5.b. Previous Sexual and/or
Romantic Relationships
Counselors are prohibited from engag-
ing in counseling relationships with
persons with whom they have had
a previous sexual and/or romantic
relationship.
A.5.c. Sexual and/or Romantic
Relationships With
Former Clients
Sexual and/or romantic counselor–
client interactions or relationships with
former clients, their romantic partners,
or their family members are prohibited
for a period of 5 years following the last
professional contact. This prohibition
applies to both in-person and electronic
interactions or relationships. Counsel-
ors, before engaging in sexual and/or
romantic interactions or relationships
with former clients, their romantic
partners, or their family members, dem-
onstrate forethought and document (in
written form) whether the interaction or
relationship can be viewed as exploitive
in any way and/or whether there is still
potential to harm the former client; in
cases of potential exploitation and/or
harm, the counselor avoids entering
into such an interaction or relationship.
A.5.d. Friends or Family
Members
Counselors are prohibited from engaging
in counseling relationships with friends
or family members with whom they have
an inability to remain objective.
A.5.e. Personal Virtual
Relationships With
Current Clients
Counselors are prohibited from
engaging in a personal virtual re-
lationship with individuals with
whom they have a current counseling
relationship (e.g., through social and
other media).
A.6. Managing and
Maintaining Boundaries
and Professional
Relationships
A.6.a. Previous Relationships
Counselors consider the risks and
benefits of accepting as clients those
with whom they have had a previous
relationship. These potential clients
may include individuals with whom
the counselor has had a casual, distant,
or past relationship. Examples include
mutual or past membership in a pro-
fessional association, organization, or
community. When counselors accept
these clients, they take appropriate pro-
fessional precautions such as informed
consent, consultation, supervision, and
documentation to ensure that judgment
is not impaired and no exploitation
occurs.
A.6.b. Extending Counseling
Boundaries
Counselors consider the risks and
benefits of extending current counsel-
ing relationships beyond conventional
parameters. Examples include attend-
ing a client’s formal ceremony (e.g., a
wedding/commitment ceremony or
graduation), purchasing a service or
product provided by a client (excepting
unrestricted bartering), and visiting a cli-
ent’s ill family member in the hospital. In
extending these boundaries, counselors
take appropriate professional precau-
tions such as informed consent, consul-
tation, supervision, and documentation
to ensure that judgment is not impaired
and no harm occurs.
A.6.c. Documenting Boundary
Extensions
If counselors extend boundaries as
described in A.6.a. and A.6.b., they
must officially document, prior to the
interaction (when feasible), the rationale
for such an interaction, the potential
benefit, and anticipated consequences
for the client or former client and other
individuals significantly involved with
the client or former client. When un-
intentional harm occurs to the client
or former client, or to an individual
significantly involved with the client
or former client, the counselor must
show evidence of an attempt to remedy
such harm.
A.6.d. Role Changes in the
Professional Relationship
When counselors change a role from
the original or most recent contracted
relationship, they obtain informed
consent from the client and explain the
client’s right to refuse services related
to the change. Examples of role changes
include, but are not limited to
1. changing from individual to re-
lationship or family counseling,
or vice versa;
2. changing from an evaluative
role to a therapeutic role, or vice
versa; and
3. changing from a counselor to a
mediator role, or vice versa.
Clients must be fully informed of
any anticipated consequences (e.g.,
financial, legal, personal, therapeutic)
of counselor role changes.
A.6.e. Nonprofessional
Interactions
or Relationships (Other
Than Sexual or Romantic
Interactions or
Relationships)
Counselors avoid entering into non-
professional relationships with former
clients, their romantic partners, or their
family members when the interaction is
potentially harmful to the client. This
applies to both in-person and electronic
interactions or relationships.
A.7. Roles and Relationships
at Individual, Group,
Institutional, and
Societal Levels
A.7.a. Advocacy
When appropriate, counselors advocate
at individual, group, institutional, and
societal levels to address potential bar-
riers and obstacles that inhibit access
and/or the growth and development
of clients.
A.7.b. Confidentiality and
Advocacy
Counselors obtain client consent prior
to engaging in advocacy efforts on be-
half of an identifiable client to improve
the provision of services and to work
toward removal of systemic barriers
or obstacles that inhibit client access,
growth, and development.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 6 •
being harmed by continued counseling.
Counselors may terminate counseling
when in jeopardy of harm by the client
or by another person with whom the cli-
ent has a relationship, or when clients do
not pay fees as agreed upon. Counselors
provide pretermination counseling and
recommend other service providers
when necessary.
A.11.d. Appropriate Transfer of
Services
When counselors transfer or refer clients
to other practitioners, they ensure that
appropriate clinical and administra-
tive processes are completed and open
communication is maintained with both
clients and practitioners.
A.12. Abandonment and
Client Neglect
Counselors do not abandon or neglect
clients in counseling. Counselors assist in
making appropriate arrangements for the
continuation of treatment, when neces-
sary, during interruptions such as vaca-
tions, illness, and following termination.
Section B
Confidentiality
and Privacy
Introduction
Counselors recognize that trust is a cor-
nerstone of the counseling relationship.
Counselors aspire to earn the trust of cli-
ents by creating an ongoing partnership,
establishing and upholding appropriate
boundaries, and maintaining confi-
dentiality. Counselors communicate
the parameters of confidentiality in a
culturally competent manner.
B.1. Respecting Client Rights
B.1.a. Multicultural/Diversity
Considerations
Counselors maintain awareness and sen-
sitivity regarding cultural meanings of
confidentiality and privacy. Counselors
respect differing views toward disclosure
of information. Counselors hold ongo-
ing discussions with clients as to how,
when, and with whom information is
to be shared.
B.1.b. Respect for Privacy
Counselors respect the privacy of
prospective and current clients. Coun-
selors request private information from
clients only when it is beneficial to the
counseling process.
A.8. Multiple Clients
When a counselor agrees to provide
counseling services to two or more
persons who have a relationship, the
counselor clarifies at the outset which
person or persons are clients and the
nature of the relationships the counselor
will have with each involved person. If
it becomes apparent that the counselor
may be called upon to perform poten-
tially conflicting roles, the counselor will
clarify, adjust, or withdraw from roles
appropriately.
A.9. Group Work
A.9.a. Screening
Counselors screen prospective group
counseling/therapy participants. To
the extent possible, counselors select
members whose needs and goals are
compatible with the goals of the group,
who will not impede the group process,
and whose well-being will not be jeop-
ardized by the group experience.
A.9.b. Protecting Clients
In a group setting, counselors take rea-
sonable precautions to protect clients
from physical, emotional, or psychologi-
cal trauma.
A.10. Fees and Business
Practices
A.10.a. Self-Referral
Counselors working in an organization
(e.g., school, agency, institution) that
provides counseling services do not
refer clients to their private practice
unless the policies of a particular orga-
nization make explicit provisions for
self-referrals. In such instances, the cli-
ents must be informed of other options
open to them should they seek private
counseling services.
A.10.b. Unacceptable Business
Practices
Counselors do not participate in fee
splitting, nor do they give or receive
commissions, rebates, or any other form
of remuneration when referring clients
for professional services.
A.10.c. Establishing Fees
In establishing fees for professional
counseling services, counselors con-
sider the financial status of clients and
locality. If a counselor’s usual fees cre-
ate undue hardship for the client, the
counselor may adjust fees, when legally
permissible, or assist the client in locat-
ing comparable, affordable services.
A.10.d. Nonpayment of Fees
If counselors intend to use collection
agencies or take legal measures to col-
lect fees from clients who do not pay for
services as agreed upon, they include
such information in their informed
consent documents and also inform
clients in a timely fashion of intended
actions and offer clients the opportunity
to make payment.
A.10.e. Bartering
Counselors may barter only if the bar-
tering does not result in exploitation
or harm, if the client requests it, and
if such arrangements are an accepted
practice among professionals in the
community. Counselors consider the
cultural implications of bartering and
discuss relevant concerns with clients
and document such agreements in a
clear written contract.
A.10.f. Receiving Gifts
Counselors understand the challenges
of accepting gifts from clients and rec-
ognize that in some cultures, small gifts
are a token of respect and gratitude.
When determining whether to accept
a gift from clients, counselors take into
account the therapeutic relationship, the
monetary value of the gift, the client’s
motivation for giving the gift, and the
counselor’s motivation for wanting to
accept or decline the gift.
A.11. Termination and
Referral
A.11.a. Competence Within
Termination and Referral
If counselors lack the competence to
be of professional assistance to clients,
they avoid entering or continuing
counseling relationships. Counselors
are knowledgeable about culturally and
clinically appropriate referral resources
and suggest these alternatives. If clients
decline the suggested referrals, counsel-
ors discontinue the relationship.
A.11.b. Values Within
Termination and Referral
Counselors refrain from referring pro-
spective and current clients based solely
on the counselor’s personally held val-
ues, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
Counselors respect the diversity of
clients and seek training in areas in
which they are at risk of imposing their
values onto clients, especially when the
counselor’s values are inconsistent with
the client’s goals or are discriminatory
in nature.
A.11.c. Appropriate Termination
Counselors terminate a counseling re-
lationship when it becomes reasonably
apparent that the client no longer needs
assistance, is not likely to benefit, or is
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 7 •
B.1.c. Respect for
Confidentiality
Counselors protect the confidential
information of prospective and current
clients. Counselors disclose information
only with appropriate consent or with
sound legal or ethical justification.
B.1.d. Explanation of
Limitations
At initiation and throughout the counsel-
ing process, counselors inform clients of
the limitations of confidentiality and seek
to identify situations in which confiden-
tiality must be breached.
B.2. Exceptions
B.2.a. Serious and Foreseeable
Harm and Legal
Requirements
The general requirement that counsel-
ors keep information confidential does
not apply when disclosure is required
to protect clients or identified others
from serious and foreseeable harm or
when legal requirements demand that
confidential information must be re-
vealed. Counselors consult with other
professionals when in doubt as to the
validity of an exception. Additional
considerations apply when addressing
end-of-life issues.
B.2.b. Confidentiality Regarding
End-of-Life Decisions
Counselors who provide services to
terminally ill individuals who are con-
sidering hastening their own deaths have
the option to maintain confidentiality,
depending on applicable laws and the
specific circumstances of the situation
and after seeking consultation or super-
vision from appropriate professional and
legal parties.
B.2.c. Contagious, Life-
Threatening Diseases
When clients disclose that they have a
disease commonly known to be both
communicable and life threatening,
counselors may be justified in disclos-
ing information to identifiable third
parties, if the parties are known to be
at serious and foreseeable risk of con-
tracting the disease. Prior to making a
disclosure, counselors assess the intent
of clients to inform the third parties
about their disease or to engage in
any behaviors that may be harmful to
an identifiable third party. Counselors
adhere to relevant state laws concern-
ing disclosure about disease status.
B.2.d. Court-Ordered Disclosure
When ordered by a court to release
confidential or privileged information
without a client’s permission, coun-
selors seek to obtain written, informed
consent from the client or take steps to
prohibit the disclosure or have it limited
as narrowly as possible because of po-
tential harm to the client or counseling
relationship.
B.2.e. Minimal Disclosure
To the extent possible, clients are
informed before confidential infor-
mation is disclosed and are involved
in the disclosure decision-making
process. When circumstances require
the disclosure of confidential infor-
mation, only essential information
is revealed.
B.3. Information Shared
With Others
B.3.a. Subordinates
Counselors make every effort to ensure
that privacy and confidentiality of
clients are maintained by subordi-
nates, including employees, supervisees,
students, clerical assistants, and
volunteers.
B.3.b. Interdisciplinary Teams
When services provided to the client
involve participation by an interdisci-
plinary or treatment team, the client
will be informed of the team’s existence
and composition, information being
shared, and the purposes of sharing
such information.
B.3.c. Confidential Settings
Counselors discuss confidential infor-
mation only in settings in which they
can reasonably ensure client privacy.
B.3.d. Third-Party Payers
Counselors disclose information to
third-party payers only when clients
have authorized such disclosure.
B.3.e. Transmitting Confidential
Information
Counselors take precautions to ensure
the confidentiality of all information
transmitted through the use of any
medium.
B.3.f. Deceased Clients
Counselors protect the confidentiality
of deceased clients, consistent with le-
gal requirements and the documented
preferences of the client.
B.4. Groups and Families
B.4.a. Group Work
In group work, counselors clearly
explain the importance and param-
eters of confidentiality for the specific
group.
B.4.b. Couples and Family
Counseling
In couples and family counseling, coun-
selors clearly define who is considered
“the client” and discuss expectations and
limitations of confidentiality. Counselors
seek agreement and document in writing
such agreement among all involved parties
regarding the confidentiality of informa-
tion. In the absence of an agreement to the
contrary, the couple or family is considered
to be the client.
B.5. Clients Lacking Capacity
to Give Informed
Consent
B.5.a. Responsibility to Clients
When counseling minor clients or adult
clients who lack the capacity to give
voluntary, informed consent, counselors
protect the confidentiality of informa-
tion received—in any medium—in the
counseling relationship as specified by
federal and state laws, written policies,
and applicable ethical standards.
B.5.b. Responsibility to Parents
and Legal Guardians
Counselors inform parents and legal
guardians about the role of counselors
and the confidential nature of the coun-
seling relationship, consistent with cur-
rent legal and custodial arrangements.
Counselors are sensitive to the cultural
diversity of families and respect the
inherent rights and responsibilities of
parents/guardians regarding the wel-
fare of their children/charges according
to law. Counselors work to establish,
as appropriate, collaborative relation-
ships with parents/guardians to best
serve clients.
B.5.c. Release of Confidential
Information
When counseling minor clients or
adult clients who lack the capacity
to give voluntary consent to release
confidential information, counselors
seek permission from an appropriate
third party to disclose information.
In such instances, counselors inform
clients consistent with their level of
understanding and take appropriate
measures to safeguard client confi-
dentiality.
B.6. Records and
Documentation
B.6.a. Creating and Maintaining
Records and Documentation
Counselors create and maintain records
and documentation necessary for ren-
dering professional services.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 8 •
B.6.i. Reasonable Precautions
Counselors take reasonable precautions
to protect client confidentiality in the
event of the counselor’s termination of
practice, incapacity, or death and ap-
point a records custodian when identi-
fied as appropriate.
B.7. Case Consultation
B.7.a. Respect for Privacy
Information shared in a consulting
relationship is discussed for profes-
sional purposes only. Written and oral
reports present only data germane to the
purposes of the consultation, and every
effort is made to protect client identity
and to avoid undue invasion of privacy.
B.7.b. Disclosure of
Confidential Information
When consulting with colleagues,
counselors do not disclose confidential
information that reasonably could lead
to the identification of a client or other
person or organization with whom they
have a confidential relationship unless
they have obtained the prior consent
of the person or organization or the
disclosure cannot be avoided. They
disclose information only to the extent
necessary to achieve the purposes of the
consultation.
Section C
Professional
Responsibility
Introduction
Counselors aspire to open, honest,
and accurate communication in deal-
ing with the public and other profes-
sionals. Counselors facilitate access to
counseling services, and they practice
in a nondiscriminatory manner within
the boundaries of professional and
personal competence; they also have
a responsibility to abide by the ACA
Code of Ethics. Counselors actively
participate in local, state, and national
associations that foster the develop-
ment and improvement of counseling.
Counselors are expected to advocate
to promote changes at the individual,
group, institutional, and societal lev-
els that improve the quality of life for
individuals and groups and remove
potential barriers to the provision or
access of appropriate services being of-
fered. Counselors have a responsibility
to the public to engage in counseling
practices that are based on rigorous re-
B.6.b. Confidentiality of Records
and Documentation
Counselors ensure that records and
documentation kept in any medium are
secure and that only authorized persons
have access to them.
B.6.c. Permission to Record
Counselors obtain permission from cli-
ents prior to recording sessions through
electronic or other means.
B.6.d. Permission to Observe
Counselors obtain permission from cli-
ents prior to allowing any person to ob-
serve counseling sessions, review session
transcripts, or view recordings of sessions
with supervisors, faculty, peers, or others
within the training environment.
B.6.e. Client Access
Counselors provide reasonable access
to records and copies of records when
requested by competent clients. Coun-
selors limit the access of clients to their
records, or portions of their records,
only when there is compelling evidence
that such access would cause harm to
the client. Counselors document the
request of clients and the rationale for
withholding some or all of the records
in the files of clients. In situations
involving multiple clients, counselors
provide individual clients with only
those parts of records that relate directly
to them and do not include confidential
information related to any other client.
B.6.f. Assistance With Records
When clients request access to their re-
cords, counselors provide assistance and
consultation in interpreting counseling
records.
B.6.g. Disclosure or Transfer
Unless exceptions to confidentiality
exist, counselors obtain written permis-
sion from clients to disclose or transfer
records to legitimate third parties. Steps
are taken to ensure that receivers of
counseling records are sensitive to their
confidential nature.
B.6.h. Storage and Disposal
After Termination
Counselors store records following ter-
mination of services to ensure reasonable
future access, maintain records in ac-
cordance with federal and state laws and
statutes such as licensure laws and policies
governing records, and dispose of client
records and other sensitive materials in a
manner that protects client confidentiality.
Counselors apply careful discretion and
deliberation before destroying records
that may be needed by a court of law, such
as notes on child abuse, suicide, sexual
harassment, or violence.
search methodologies. Counselors are
encouraged to contribute to society by
devoting a portion of their professional
activity to services for which there is
little or no financial return (pro bono
publico). In addition, counselors engage
in self-care activities to maintain and
promote their own emotional, physical,
mental, and spiritual well-being to best
meet their professional responsibilities.
C.1. Knowledge of and
Compliance With
Standards
Counselors have a responsibility to
read, understand, and follow the ACA
Code of Ethics and adhere to applicable
laws and regulations.
C.2. Professional Competence
C.2.a. Boundaries of
Competence
Counselors practice only within the
boundaries of their competence, based
on their education, training, super-
vised experience, state and national
professional credentials, and appropri-
ate professional experience. Whereas
multicultural counseling competency is
required across all counseling specialties,
counselors gain knowledge, personal
awareness, sensitivity, dispositions, and
skills pertinent to being a culturally
competent counselor in working with a
diverse client population.
C.2.b. New Specialty Areas
of Practice
Counselors practice in specialty areas
new to them only after appropriate
education, training, and supervised
experience. While developing skills
in new specialty areas, counselors
take steps to ensure the competence
of their work and protect others from
possible harm.
C.2.c. Qualified for Employment
Counselors accept employment only
for positions for which they are quali-
fied given their education, training,
supervised experience, state and
national professional credentials, and
appropriate professional experience.
Counselors hire for professional coun-
seling positions only individuals who
are qualified and competent for those
positions.
C.2.d. Monitor Effectiveness
Counselors continually monitor their effec-
tiveness as professionals and take steps to
improve when necessary. Counselors take
reasonable steps to seek peer supervision
to evaluate their efficacy as counselors.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 9 •
C.2.e. Consultations on
Ethical Obligations
Counselors take reasonable steps to
consult with other counselors, the
ACA Ethics and Professional Standards
Department, or related professionals
when they have questions regarding
their ethical obligations or professional
practice.
C.2.f. Continuing Education
Counselors recognize the need for con-
tinuing education to acquire and main-
tain a reasonable level of awareness
of current scientific and professional
information in their fields of activity.
Counselors maintain their competence
in the skills they use, are open to new
procedures, and remain informed re-
garding best practices for working with
diverse populations.
C.2.g. Impairment
Counselors monitor themselves for
signs of impairment from their own
physical, mental, or emotional problems
and refrain from offering or providing
professional services when impaired.
They seek assistance for problems that
reach the level of professional impair-
ment, and, if necessary, they limit,
suspend, or terminate their professional
responsibilities until it is determined
that they may safely resume their
work. Counselors assist colleagues or
supervisors in recognizing their own
professional impairment and provide
consultation and assistance when war-
ranted with colleagues or supervisors
showing signs of impairment and
intervene as appropriate to prevent
imminent harm to clients.
C.2.h. Counselor Incapacitation,
Death, Retirement, or
Termination of Practice
Counselors prepare a plan for the trans-
fer of clients and the dissemination of
records to an identified colleague or
records custodian in the case of the
counselor’s incapacitation, death, retire-
ment, or termination of practice.
C.3. Advertising and
Soliciting Clients
C.3.a. Accurate Advertising
When advertising or otherwise rep-
resenting their services to the public,
counselors identify their credentials
in an accurate manner that is not false,
misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent.
C.3.b. Testimonials
Counselors who use testimonials do
not solicit them from current clients,
former clients, or any other persons who
may be vulnerable to undue influence.
Counselors discuss with clients the
implications of and obtain permission
for the use of any testimonial.
C.3.c. Statements by Others
When feasible, counselors make reason-
able efforts to ensure that statements
made by others about them or about
the counseling profession are accurate.
C.3.d. Recruiting Through
Employment
Counselors do not use their places of
employment or institutional affiliation to
recruit clients, supervisors, or consultees
for their private practices.
C.3.e. Products and Training
Advertisements
Counselors who develop products
related to their profession or conduct
workshops or training events ensure
that the advertisements concerning
these products or events are accurate
and disclose adequate information for
consumers to make informed choices.
C.3.f. Promoting to Those Served
Counselors do not use counseling,
teaching, training, or supervisory rela-
tionships to promote their products or
training events in a manner that is de-
ceptive or would exert undue influence
on individuals who may be vulnerable.
However, counselor educators may
adopt textbooks they have authored for
instructional purposes.
C.4. Professional Qualifications
C.4.a. Accurate Representation
Counselors claim or imply only profes-
sional qualifications actually completed
and correct any known misrepresenta-
tions of their qualifications by others.
Counselors truthfully represent the qual-
ifications of their professional colleagues.
Counselors clearly distinguish between
paid and volunteer work experience
and accurately describe their continuing
education and specialized training.
C.4.b. Credentials
Counselors claim only licenses or certifica-
tions that are current and in good standing.
C.4.c. Educational Degrees
Counselors clearly differentiate be-
tween earned and honorary degrees.
C.4.d. Implying Doctoral-Level
Competence
Counselors clearly state their highest
earned degree in counseling or a closely
related field. Counselors do not imply
doctoral-level competence when pos-
sessing a master’s degree in counseling
or a related field by referring to them-
selves as “Dr.” in a counseling context
when their doctorate is not in counsel-
ing or a related field. Counselors do not
use “ABD” (all but dissertation) or other
such terms to imply competency.
C.4.e. Accreditation Status
Counselors accurately represent the
accreditation status of their degree pro-
gram and college/university.
C.4.f. Professional Membership
Counselors clearly differentiate between
current, active memberships and former
memberships in associations. Members
of ACA must clearly differentiate be-
tween professional membership, which
implies the possession of at least a mas-
ter’s degree in counseling, and regular
membership, which is open to indi-
viduals whose interests and activities are
consistent with those of ACA but are not
qualified for professional membership.
C.5. Nondiscrimination
Counselors do not condone or engage
in discrimination against prospective or
current clients, students, employees, su-
pervisees, or research participants based
on age, culture, disability, ethnicity, race,
religion/spirituality, gender, gender
identity, sexual orientation, marital/
partnership status, language preference,
socioeconomic status, immigration
status, or any basis proscribed by law.
C.6. Public Responsibility
C.6.a. Sexual Harassment
Counselors do not engage in or condone
sexual harassment. Sexual harassment
can consist of a single intense or severe act,
or multiple persistent or pervasive acts.
C.6.b. Reports to Third Parties
Counselors are accurate, honest, and
objective in reporting their professional
activities and judgments to appropriate
third parties, including courts, health
insurance companies, those who are
the recipients of evaluation reports,
and others.
C.6.c. Media Presentations
When counselors provide advice or com-
ment by means of public lectures, dem-
onstrations, radio or television programs,
recordings, technology-based applica-
tions, printed articles, mailed material,
or other media, they take reasonable
precautions to ensure that
1. the statements are based on ap-
propriate professional counsel-
ing literature and practice,
2. the statements are otherwise
consistent with the ACA Code of
Ethics, and
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 10 •
3. the recipients of the information
are not encouraged to infer that a
professional counseling relation-
ship has been established.
C.6.d. Exploitation of Others
Counselors do not exploit others in their
professional relationships.
C.6.e. Contributing to the
Public Good
(Pro Bono Publico)
Counselors make a reasonable effort
to provide services to the public for
which there is little or no financial
return (e.g., speaking to groups, shar-
ing professional information, offering
reduced fees).
C.7. Treatment Modalities
C.7.a. Scientific Basis for
Treatment
When providing services, counselors use
techniques/procedures/modalities that
are grounded in theory and/or have an
empirical or scientific foundation.
C.7.b. Development and
Innovation
When counselors use developing or
innovative techniques/procedures/
modalities, they explain the potential
risks, benefits, and ethical considerations
of using such techniques/procedures/
modalities. Counselors work to minimize
any potential risks or harm when using
these techniques/procedures/modalities.
C.7.c. Harmful Practices
Counselors do not use techniques/pro-
cedures/modalities when substantial
evidence suggests harm, even if such
services are requested.
C.8. Responsibility to
Other Professionals
C.8.a. Personal Public
Statements
When making personal statements in a
public context, counselors clarify that they
are speaking from their personal perspec-
tives and that they are not speaking on
behalf of all counselors or the profession.
Section D
Relationships With
Other Professionals
Introduction
Professional counselors recognize
that the quality of their interactions
with colleagues can influence the
quality of services provided to clients.
They work to become knowledgeable
about colleagues within and outside
the field of counseling. Counselors
develop positive working relation-
ships and systems of communication
with colleagues to enhance services
to clients.
D.1. Relationships With
Colleagues, Employers,
and Employees
D.1.a. Different Approaches
Counselors are respectful of approaches
that are grounded in theory and/or
have an empirical or scientific founda-
tion but may differ from their own.
Counselors acknowledge the expertise
of other professional groups and are
respectful of their practices.
D.1.b. Forming Relationships
Counselors work to develop and
strengthen relationships with col-
leagues from other disciplines to best
serve clients.
D.1.c. Interdisciplinary
Teamwork
Counselors who are members of in-
terdisciplinary teams delivering mul-
tifaceted services to clients remain
focused on how to best serve clients.
They participate in and contribute to
decisions that affect the well-being of
clients by drawing on the perspectives,
values, and experiences of the counsel-
ing profession and those of colleagues
from other disciplines.
D.1.d. Establishing
Professional and
Ethical Obligations
Counselors who are members of inter-
disciplinary teams work together with
team members to clarify professional
and ethical obligations of the team as
a whole and of its individual members.
When a team decision raises ethical
concerns, counselors first attempt to
resolve the concern within the team.
If they cannot reach resolution among
team members, counselors pursue
other avenues to address their concerns
consistent with client well-being.
D.1.e. Confidentiality
When counselors are required by law,
institutional policy, or extraordinary
circumstances to serve in more than one
role in judicial or administrative pro-
ceedings, they clarify role expectations
and the parameters of confidentiality
with their colleagues.
D.1.f. Personnel Selection and
Assignment
When counselors are in a position
requiring personnel selection and/or
assigning of responsibilities to others,
they select competent staff and assign
responsibilities compatible with their
skills and experiences.
D.1.g. Employer Policies
The acceptance of employment in an
agency or institution implies that counsel-
ors are in agreement with its general poli-
cies and principles. Counselors strive to
reach agreement with employers regard-
ing acceptable standards of client care
and professional conduct that allow for
changes in institutional policy conducive
to the growth and development of clients.
D.1.h. Negative Conditions
Counselors alert their employers of inap-
propriate policies and practices. They
attempt to effect changes in such policies
or procedures through constructive action
within the organization. When such poli-
cies are potentially disruptive or damaging
to clients or may limit the effectiveness of
services provided and change cannot be af-
fected, counselors take appropriate further
action. Such action may include referral to
appropriate certification, accreditation, or
state licensure organizations, or voluntary
termination of employment.
D.1.i. Protection From
Punitive Action
Counselors do not harass a colleague
or employee or dismiss an employee
who has acted in a responsible and
ethical manner to expose inappropriate
employer policies or practices.
D.2. Provision of
Consultation Services
D.2.a. Consultant Competency
Counselors take reasonable steps to
ensure that they have the appropri-
ate resources and competencies when
providing consultation services. Coun-
selors provide appropriate referral
resources when requested or needed.
D.2.b. Informed Consent in
Formal Consultation
When providing formal consultation
services, counselors have an obligation to
review, in writing and verbally, the rights
and responsibilities of both counselors
and consultees. Counselors use clear
and understandable language to inform
all parties involved about the purpose
of the services to be provided, relevant
costs, potential risks and benefits, and
the limits of confidentiality.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 11 •
Section E
Evaluation, Assessment,
and Interpretation
Introduction
Counselors use assessment as one com-
ponent of the counseling process, taking
into account the clients’ personal and
cultural context. Counselors promote the
well-being of individual clients or groups
of clients by developing and using ap-
propriate educational, mental health,
psychological, and career assessments.
E.1. General
E.1.a. Assessment
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. As-
sessment may include both qualitative
and quantitative methodologies.
E.1.b. Client Welfare
Counselors do not misuse assessment
results and interpretations, and they
take reasonable steps to prevent others
from misusing the information pro-
vided. They respect the client’s right
to know the results, the interpretations
made, and the bases for counselors’
conclusions and recommendations.
E.2. Competence to Use and
Interpret Assessment
Instruments
E.2.a. Limits of Competence
Counselors use only those testing and as-
sessment services for which they have been
trained and are competent. Counselors
using technology-assisted test interpreta-
tions are trained in the construct being
measured and the specific instrument
being used prior to using its technology-
based application. Counselors take reason-
able measures to ensure the proper use of
assessment techniques by persons under
their supervision.
E.2.b. Appropriate Use
Counselors are responsible for the
appropriate application, scoring, inter-
pretation, and use of assessment instru-
ments relevant to the needs of the client,
whether they score and interpret such
assessments themselves or use technol-
ogy or other services.
E.2.c. Decisions Based on
Results
Counselors responsible for decisions
involving individuals or policies that are
based on assessment results have a thor-
ough understanding of psychometrics.
E.3. Informed Consent
in Assessment
E.3.a. Explanation to Clients
Prior to assessment, counselors explain
the nature and purposes of assessment
and the specific use of results by po-
tential recipients. The explanation will
be given in terms and language that
the client (or other legally authorized
person on behalf of the client) can
understand.
E.3.b. Recipients of Results
Counselors consider the client’s and/
or examinee’s welfare, explicit under-
standings, and prior agreements in de-
termining who receives the assessment
results. Counselors include accurate
and appropriate interpretations with
any release of individual or group as-
sessment results.
E.4. Release of Data to
Qualified Personnel
Counselors release assessment data in
which the client is identified only with
the consent of the client or the client’s
legal representative. Such data are
released only to persons recognized
by counselors as qualified to interpret
the data.
E.5. Diagnosis of
Mental Disorders
E.5.a. Proper Diagnosis
Counselors take special care to provide
proper diagnosis of mental disorders.
Assessment techniques (including
personal interviews) used to determine
client care (e.g., locus of treatment, type
of treatment, recommended follow-up)
are carefully selected and appropri-
ately used.
E.5.b. Cultural Sensitivity
Counselors recognize that culture
affects the manner in which clients’
problems are defined and experienced.
Clients’ socioeconomic and cultural
experiences are considered when diag-
nosing mental disorders.
E.5.c. Historical and Social
Prejudices in the
Diagnosis of Pathology
Counselors recognize historical and so-
cial prejudices in the misdiagnosis and
pathologizing of certain individuals and
groups and strive to become aware of
and address such biases in themselves
or others.
E.5.d. Refraining From
Diagnosis
Counselors may refrain from making
and/or reporting a diagnosis if they
believe that it would cause harm to the
client or others. Counselors carefully
consider both the positive and negative
implications of a diagnosis.
E.6. Instrument Selection
E.6.a. Appropriateness of
Instruments
Counselors carefully consider the
validity, reliability, psychometric limi-
tations, and appropriateness of instru-
ments when selecting assessments and,
when possible, use multiple forms of
assessment, data, and/or instruments
in forming conclusions, diagnoses, or
recommendations.
E.6.b. Referral Information
If a client is referred to a third party
for assessment, the counselor provides
specific referral questions and suf-
ficient objective data about the client
to ensure that appropriate assessment
instruments are utilized.
E.7. Conditions of
Assessment
Administration
E.7.a. Administration
Conditions
Counselors administer assessments
under the same conditions that were
established in their standardization.
When assessments are not administered
under standard conditions, as may be
necessary to accommodate clients with
disabilities, or when unusual behavior
or irregularities occur during the admin-
istration, those conditions are noted in
interpretation, and the results may be
designated as invalid or of question-
able validity.
E.7.b. Provision of Favorable
Conditions
Counselors provide an appropriate
environment for the administration
of assessments (e.g., privacy, comfort,
freedom from distraction).
E.7.c. Technological
Administration
Counselors ensure that technologi-
cally administered assessments func-
tion properly and provide clients with
accurate results.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 12 •
adults who lack the capacity to give
voluntary consent are being evaluated,
informed written consent is obtained
from a parent or guardian.
E.13.c. Client Evaluation
Prohibited
Counselors do not evaluate current or
former clients, clients’ romantic partners,
or clients’ family members for forensic
purposes. Counselors do not counsel
individuals they are evaluating.
E.13.d. Avoid Potentially
Harmful Relationships
Counselors who provide forensic
evaluations avoid potentially harmful
professional or personal relationships
with family members, romantic part-
ners, and close friends of individuals
they are evaluating or have evaluated
in the past.
Section F
Supervision, Training,
and Teaching
Introduction
Counselor supervisors, trainers, and
educators aspire to foster meaningful
and respectful professional relation-
ships and to maintain appropriate
boundaries with supervisees and
students in both face-to-face and elec-
tronic formats. They have theoretical
and pedagogical foundations for their
work; have knowledge of supervision
models; and aim to be fair, accurate,
and honest in their assessments of
counselors, students, and supervisees.
F.1. Counselor Supervision
and Client Welfare
F.1.a. Client Welfare
A primary obligation of counseling
supervisors is to monitor the services
provided by supervisees. Counseling
supervisors monitor client welfare and
supervisee performance and profes-
sional development. To fulfill these
obligations, supervisors meet regularly
with supervisees to review the super-
visees’ work and help them become
prepared to serve a range of diverse
clients. Supervisees have a responsibil-
ity to understand and follow the ACA
Code of Ethics.
F.1.b. Counselor Credentials
Counseling supervisors work to ensure
that supervisees communicate their
E.7.d. Unsupervised
Assessments
Unless the assessment instrument is
designed, intended, and validated for
self-administration and/or scoring,
counselors do not permit unsupervised
use.
E.8. Multicultural Issues/
Diversity in Assessment
Counselors select and use with cau-
tion assessment techniques normed
on populations other than that of the
client. Counselors recognize the effects
of age, color, culture, disability, ethnic
group, gender, race, language pref-
erence, religion, spirituality, sexual
orientation, and socioeconomic status
on test administration and interpre-
tation, and they place test results in
proper perspective with other relevant
factors.
E.9. Scoring and Interpretation
of Assessments
E.9.a. Reporting
When counselors report assessment re-
sults, they consider the client’s personal
and cultural background, the level of
the client’s understanding of the results,
and the impact of the results on the
client. In reporting assessment results,
counselors indicate reservations that
exist regarding validity or reliability
due to circumstances of the assessment
or inappropriateness of the norms for
the person tested.
E.9.b. Instruments With
Insufficient Empirical
Data
Counselors exercise caution when
interpreting the results of instruments
not having sufficient empirical data to
support respondent results. The specific
purposes for the use of such instruments
are stated explicitly to the examinee.
Counselors qualify any conclusions, di-
agnoses, or recommendations made that
are based on assessments or instruments
with questionable validity or reliability.
E.9.c. Assessment Services
Counselors who provide assessment,
scoring, and interpretation services to
support the assessment process confirm
the validity of such interpretations.
They accurately describe the purpose,
norms, validity, reliability, and applica-
tions of the procedures and any special
qualifications applicable to their use.
At all times, counselors maintain their
ethical responsibility to those being
assessed.
E.10. Assessment Security
Counselors maintain the integrity
and security of tests and assessments
consistent with legal and contractual
obligations. Counselors do not appro-
priate, reproduce, or modify published
assessments or parts thereof without
acknowledgment and permission from
the publisher.
E.11. Obsolete Assessment
and Outdated Results
Counselors do not use data or results
from assessments that are obsolete or
outdated for the current purpose (e.g.,
noncurrent versions of assessments/
instruments). Counselors make every
effort to prevent the misuse of obsolete
measures and assessment data by others.
E.12. Assessment
Construction
Counselors use established scientific
procedures, relevant standards, and
current professional knowledge for
assessment design in the development,
publication, and utilization of assess-
ment techniques.
E.13. Forensic Evaluation:
Evaluation for
Legal Proceedings
E.13.a. Primary Obligations
When providing forensic evaluations,
the primary obligation of counselors is
to produce objective findings that can be
substantiated based on information and
techniques appropriate to the evalua-
tion, which may include examination of
the individual and/or review of records.
Counselors form professional opinions
based on their professional knowledge
and expertise that can be supported
by the data gathered in evaluations.
Counselors define the limits of their
reports or testimony, especially when
an examination of the individual has
not been conducted.
E.13.b. Consent for Evaluation
Individuals being evaluated are in-
formed in writing that the relationship
is for the purposes of an evaluation and
is not therapeutic in nature, and enti-
ties or individuals who will receive the
evaluation report are identified. Coun-
selors who perform forensic evalua-
tions obtain written consent from those
being evaluated or from their legal
representative unless a court orders
evaluations to be conducted without
the written consent of the individuals
being evaluated. When children or
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 13 •
qualifications to render services to their
clients.
F.1.c. Informed Consent and
Client Rights
Supervisors make supervisees aware of
client rights, including the protection
of client privacy and confidentiality in
the counseling relationship. Supervis-
ees provide clients with professional
disclosure information and inform
them of how the supervision process
influences the limits of confidential-
ity. Supervisees make clients aware of
who will have access to records of the
counseling relationship and how these
records will be stored, transmitted, or
otherwise reviewed.
F.2. Counselor Supervision
Competence
F.2.a. Supervisor Preparation
Prior to offering supervision services,
counselors are trained in supervision
methods and techniques. Counselors
who offer supervision services regularly
pursue continuing education activities,
including both counseling and supervi-
sion topics and skills.
F.2.b. Multicultural Issues/
Diversity in Supervision
Counseling supervisors are aware of and
address the role of multiculturalism/
diversity in the supervisory relationship.
F.2.c. Online Supervision
When using technology in supervision,
counselor supervisors are competent in
the use of those technologies. Supervi-
sors take the necessary precautions
to protect the confidentiality of all
information transmitted through any
electronic means.
F.3. Supervisory Relationship
F.3.a. Extending Conventional
Supervisory Relationships
Counseling supervisors clearly define
and maintain ethical professional,
personal, and social relationships with
their supervisees. Supervisors con-
sider the risks and benefits of extend-
ing current supervisory relationships
in any form beyond conventional
parameters. In extending these bound-
aries, supervisors take appropriate
professional precautions to ensure that
judgment is not impaired and that no
harm occurs.
F.3.b. Sexual Relationships
Sexual or romantic interactions or rela-
tionships with current supervisees are
prohibited. This prohibition applies to
both in-person and electronic interac-
tions or relationships.
F.3.c. Sexual Harassment
Counseling supervisors do not con-
done or subject supervisees to sexual
harassment.
F.3.d. Friends or Family
Members
Supervisors are prohibited from engag-
ing in supervisory relationships with
individuals with whom they have an
inability to remain objective.
F.4. Supervisor
Responsibilities
F.4.a. Informed Consent for
Supervision
Supervisors are responsible for incor-
porating into their supervision the
principles of informed consent and
participation. Supervisors inform su-
pervisees of the policies and procedures
to which supervisors are to adhere and
the mechanisms for due process appeal
of individual supervisor actions. The
issues unique to the use of distance
supervision are to be included in the
documentation as necessary.
F.4.b. Emergencies and
Absences
Supervisors establish and communi-
cate to supervisees procedures for con-
tacting supervisors or, in their absence,
alternative on-call supervisors to assist
in handling crises.
F.4.c. Standards for Supervisees
Supervisors make their supervisees
aware of professional and ethical
standards and legal responsibilities.
F.4.d. Termination of the
Supervisory Relationship
Supervisors or supervisees have the
right to terminate the supervisory
relationship with adequate notice. Rea-
sons for considering termination are
discussed, and both parties work to
resolve differences. When termination
is warranted, supervisors make appro-
priate referrals to possible alternative
supervisors.
F.5. Student and Supervisee
Responsibilities
F.5.a. Ethical Responsibilities
Students and supervisees have a re-
sponsibility to understand and follow
the ACA Code of Ethics. Students and
supervisees have the same obligation to
clients as those required of professional
counselors.
F.5.b. Impairment
Students and supervisees monitor
themselves for signs of impairment
from their own physical, mental, or
emotional problems and refrain from
offering or providing professional
services when such impairment is
likely to harm a client or others. They
notify their faculty and/or supervi-
sors and seek assistance for problems
that reach the level of professional
impairment, and, if necessary, they
limit, suspend, or terminate their
professional responsibilities until it
is determined that they may safely
resume their work.
F.5.c. Professional Disclosure
Before providing counseling services,
students and supervisees disclose
their status as supervisees and explain
how this status affects the limits of
confidentiality. Supervisors ensure
that clients are aware of the services
rendered and the qualifications of the
students and supervisees rendering
those services. Students and super-
visees obtain client permission before
they use any information concerning
the counseling relationship in the
training process.
F.6. Counseling Supervision
Evaluation, Remediation,
and Endorsement
F.6.a. Evaluation
Supervisors document and provide
supervisees with ongoing feedback
regarding their performance and
schedule periodic formal evaluative
sessions throughout the supervisory
relationship.
F.6.b. Gatekeeping and
Remediation
Through initial and ongoing evalua-
tion, supervisors are aware of super-
visee limitations that might impede
performance. Supervisors assist su-
pervisees in securing remedial assis-
tance when needed. They recommend
dismissal from training programs,
applied counseling settings, and state
or voluntary professional credential-
ing processes when those supervisees
are unable to demonstrate that they
can provide competent professional
services to a range of diverse clients.
Supervisors seek consultation and
document their decisions to dismiss or
refer supervisees for assistance. They
ensure that supervisees are aware of
options available to them to address
such decisions.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 14 •
F.6.c. Counseling for
Supervisees
If supervisees request counseling, the
supervisor assists the supervisee in
identifying appropriate services. Su-
pervisors do not provide counseling
services to supervisees. Supervisors
address interpersonal competencies in
terms of the impact of these issues on
clients, the supervisory relationship,
and professional functioning.
F.6.d. Endorsements
Supervisors endorse supervisees for
certification, licensure, employment,
or completion of an academic or train-
ing program only when they believe
that supervisees are qualified for the
endorsement. Regardless of qualifi-
cations, supervisors do not endorse
supervisees whom they believe to be
impaired in any way that would inter-
fere with the performance of the duties
associated with the endorsement.
F.7. Responsibilities of
Counselor Educators
F.7.a. Counselor Educators
Counselor educators who are respon-
sible for developing, implementing,
and supervising educational programs
are skilled as teachers and practitio-
ners. They are knowledgeable regard-
ing the ethical, legal, and regulatory
aspects of the profession; are skilled
in applying that knowledge; and
make students and supervisees aware
of their responsibilities. Whether in
traditional, hybrid, and/or online
formats, counselor educators conduct
counselor education and training
programs in an ethical manner and
serve as role models for professional
behavior.
F.7.b. Counselor Educator
Competence
Counselors who function as counselor
educators or supervisors provide in-
struction within their areas of knowl-
edge and competence and provide
instruction based on current informa-
tion and knowledge available in the
profession. When using technology to
deliver instruction, counselor educators
develop competence in the use of the
technology.
F.7.c. Infusing Multicultural
Issues/Diversity
Counselor educators infuse material
related to multiculturalism/diver-
sity into all courses and workshops
for the development of professional
counselors.
F.7.d. Integration of Study
and Practice
In traditional, hybrid, and/or online
formats, counselor educators establish
education and training programs that
integrate academic study and super-
vised practice.
F.7.e. Teaching Ethics
Throughout the program, counselor
educators ensure that students are
aware of the ethical responsibilities
and standards of the profession and the
ethical responsibilities of students to the
profession. Counselor educators infuse
ethical considerations throughout the
curriculum.
F.7.f. Use of Case Examples
The use of client, student, or supervisee
information for the purposes of case ex-
amples in a lecture or classroom setting
is permissible only when (a) the client,
student, or supervisee has reviewed the
material and agreed to its presentation
or (b) the information has been suf-
ficiently modified to obscure identity.
F.7.g. Student-to-Student
Supervision and
Instruction
When students function in the role of
counselor educators or supervisors,
they understand that they have the
same ethical obligations as counselor
educators, trainers, and supervisors.
Counselor educators make every effort
to ensure that the rights of students are
not compromised when their peers lead
experiential counseling activities in tra-
ditional, hybrid, and/or online formats
(e.g., counseling groups, skills classes,
clinical supervision).
F.7.h. Innovative Theories and
Techniques
Counselor educators promote the use
of techniques/procedures/modalities
that are grounded in theory and/or
have an empirical or scientific founda-
tion. When counselor educators discuss
developing or innovative techniques/
procedures/modalities, they explain the
potential risks, benefits, and ethical con-
siderations of using such techniques/
procedures/modalities.
F.7.i. Field Placements
Counselor educators develop clear
policies and provide direct assistance
within their training programs regard-
ing appropriate field placement and
other clinical experiences. Counselor
educators provide clearly stated roles
and responsibilities for the student or
supervisee, the site supervisor, and the
program supervisor. They confirm that
site supervisors are qualified to provide
supervision in the formats in which
services are provided and inform site
supervisors of their professional and
ethical responsibilities in this role.
F.8. Student Welfare
F.8.a. Program Information and
Orientation
Counselor educators recognize that
program orientation is a developmen-
tal process that begins upon students’
initial contact with the counselor educa-
tion program and continues throughout
the educational and clinical training
of students. Counselor education fac-
ulty provide prospective and current
students with information about the
counselor education program’s expecta-
tions, including
1. the values and ethical principles
of the profession;
2. the type and level of skill and
knowledge acquisition required
for successful completion of the
training;
3. technology requirements;
4. program training goals, objectives,
and mission, and subject matter to
be covered;
5. bases for evaluation;
6. training components that encour-
age self-growth or self-disclosure
as part of the training process;
7. the type of supervision settings
and requirements of the sites for
required clinical field experiences;
8. student and supervisor evalua-
tion and dismissal policies and
procedures; and
9. up-to-date employment pros-
pects for graduates.
F.8.b. Student Career Advising
Counselor educators provide career
advisement for their students and make
them aware of opportunities in the field.
F.8.c. Self-Growth Experiences
Self-growth is an expected component
of counselor education. Counselor edu-
cators are mindful of ethical principles
when they require students to engage
in self-growth experiences. Counselor
educators and supervisors inform stu-
dents that they have a right to decide
what information will be shared or
withheld in class.
F.8.d. Addressing Personal
Concerns
Counselor educators may require stu-
dents to address any personal concerns
that have the potential to affect profes-
sional competency.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 15 •
F.11.b. Student Diversity
Counselor educators actively attempt
to recruit and retain a diverse student
body. Counselor educators demonstrate
commitment to multicultural/diversity
competence by recognizing and valuing
the diverse cultures and types of abili-
ties that students bring to the training
experience. Counselor educators pro-
vide appropriate accommodations that
enhance and support diverse student
well-being and academic performance.
F.11.c. Multicultural/Diversity
Competence
Counselor educators actively infuse
multicultural/diversity competency in
their training and supervision practices.
They actively train students to gain
awareness, knowledge, and skills in the
competencies of multicultural practice.
Section G
Research and
Publication
Introduction
Counselors who conduct research are
encouraged to contribute to the knowl-
edge base of the profession and promote
a clearer understanding of the condi-
tions that lead to a healthy and more
just society. Counselors support the
efforts of researchers by participating
fully and willingly whenever possible.
Counselors minimize bias and respect
diversity in designing and implement-
ing research.
G.1. Research Responsibilities
G.1.a. Conducting Research
Counselors plan, design, conduct, and
report research in a manner that is con-
sistent with pertinent ethical principles,
federal and state laws, host institutional
regulations, and scientific standards
governing research.
G.1.b. Confidentiality in
Research
Counselors are responsible for under-
standing and adhering to state, federal,
agency, or institutional policies or appli-
cable guidelines regarding confidential-
ity in their research practices.
G.1.c. Independent Researchers
When counselors conduct independent
research and do not have access to an
institutional review board, they are
bound to the same ethical principles and
F.9. Evaluation and
Remediation
F.9.a. Evaluation of Students
Counselor educators clearly state to stu-
dents, prior to and throughout the train-
ing program, the levels of competency
expected, appraisal methods, and timing
of evaluations for both didactic and clini-
cal competencies. Counselor educators
provide students with ongoing feedback
regarding their performance throughout
the training program.
F.9.b. Limitations
Counselor educators, through ongoing
evaluation, are aware of and address
the inability of some students to achieve
counseling competencies. Counselor
educators do the following:
1. assist students in securing reme-
dial assistance when needed,
2. seek professional consultation
and document their decision to
dismiss or refer students for
assistance, and
3. ensure that students have recourse
in a timely manner to address
decisions requiring them to seek
assistance or to dismiss them and
provide students with due process
according to institutional policies
and procedures.
F.9.c. Counseling for Students
If students request counseling, or if
counseling services are suggested as
part of a remediation process, counselor
educators assist students in identifying
appropriate services.
F.10. Roles and Relationships
Between Counselor
Educators and Students
F.10.a. Sexual or Romantic
Relationships
Counselor educators are prohibited
from sexual or romantic interactions or
relationships with students currently
enrolled in a counseling or related pro-
gram and over whom they have power
and authority. This prohibition applies
to both in-person and electronic interac-
tions or relationships.
F.10.b. Sexual Harassment
Counselor educators do not condone or
subject students to sexual harassment.
F.10.c. Relationships With
Former Students
Counselor educators are aware of the
power differential in the relationship
between faculty and students. Faculty
members discuss with former students
potential risks when they consider
engaging in social, sexual, or other in-
timate relationships.
F.10.d. Nonacademic
Relationships
Counselor educators avoid nonacademic
relationships with students in which
there is a risk of potential harm to the
student or which may compromise the
training experience or grades assigned.
In addition, counselor educators do not
accept any form of professional services,
fees, commissions, reimbursement, or
remuneration from a site for student or
supervisor placement.
F.10.e. Counseling Services
Counselor educators do not serve
as counselors to students currently
enrolled in a counseling or related pro-
gram and over whom they have power
and authority.
F.10.f. Extending Educator–
Student Boundaries
Counselor educators are aware of the
power differential in the relationship
between faculty and students. If they
believe that a nonprofessional relation-
ship with a student may be potentially
beneficial to the student, they take pre-
cautions similar to those taken by
counselors when working with clients.
Examples of potentially beneficial in-
teractions or relationships include, but
are not limited to, attending a formal
ceremony; conducting hospital visits;
providing support during a stressful
event; or maintaining mutual mem-
bership in a professional association,
organization, or community. Coun-
selor educators discuss with students
the rationale for such interactions, the
potential benefits and drawbacks, and
the anticipated consequences for the
student. Educators clarify the specific
nature and limitations of the additional
role(s) they will have with the student
prior to engaging in a nonprofessional
relationship. Nonprofessional relation-
ships with students should be time
limited and/or context specific and
initiated with student consent.
F.11. Multicultural/Diversity
Competence in
Counselor Education
and Training Programs
F.11.a. Faculty Diversity
Counselor educators are committed
to recruiting and retaining a diverse
faculty.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 16 •
federal and state laws pertaining to the
review of their plan, design, conduct,
and reporting of research.
G.1.d. Deviation From
Standard Practice
Counselors seek consultation and ob-
serve stringent safeguards to protect
the rights of research participants when
research indicates that a deviation from
standard or acceptable practices may be
necessary.
G.1.e. Precautions to
Avoid Injury
Counselors who conduct research are
responsible for their participants’ wel-
fare throughout the research process
and should take reasonable precautions
to avoid causing emotional, physical, or
social harm to participants.
G.1.f. Principal Researcher
Responsibility
The ultimate responsibility for ethical
research practice lies with the principal
researcher. All others involved in the re-
search activities share ethical obligations
and responsibility for their own actions.
G.2. Rights of Research
Participants
G.2.a. Informed Consent in
Research
Individuals have the right to decline
requests to become research partici-
pants. In seeking consent, counselors
use language that
1. accurately explains the purpose
and procedures to be followed;
2. identifies any procedures that
are experimental or relatively
untried;
3. describes any attendant discom-
forts, risks, and potential power
differentials between researchers
and participants;
4. describes any benefits or changes
in individuals or organizations
that might reasonably be expected;
5. discloses appropriate alternative
procedures that would be advan-
tageous for participants;
6. offers to answer any inquiries
concerning the procedures;
7. describes any limitations on
confidentiality;
8. describes the format and potential
target audiences for the dissemi-
nation of research findings; and
9. instructs participants that they
are free to withdraw their con-
sent and discontinue participa-
tion in the project at any time,
without penalty.
G.2.b. Student/Supervisee
Participation
Researchers who involve students or
supervisees in research make clear to
them that the decision regarding par-
ticipation in research activities does
not affect their academic standing or
supervisory relationship. Students or
supervisees who choose not to partici-
pate in research are provided with an
appropriate alternative to fulfill their
academic or clinical requirements.
G.2.c. Client Participation
Counselors conducting research involv-
ing clients make clear in the informed
consent process that clients are free to
choose whether to participate in re-
search activities. Counselors take neces-
sary precautions to protect clients from
adverse consequences of declining or
withdrawing from participation.
G.2.d. Confidentiality of
Information
Information obtained about research
participants during the course of re-
search is confidential. Procedures are
implemented to protect confidentiality.
G.2.e. Persons Not
Capable of Giving
Informed Consent
When a research participant is not
capable of giving informed consent,
counselors provide an appropriate
explanation to, obtain agreement for
participation from, and obtain the ap-
propriate consent of a legally authorized
person.
G.2.f. Commitments to
Participants
Counselors take reasonable measures
to honor all commitments to research
participants.
G.2.g. Explanations After
Data Collection
After data are collected, counselors
provide participants with full clarifi-
cation of the nature of the study to re-
move any misconceptions participants
might have regarding the research.
Where scientific or human values
justify delaying or withholding infor-
mation, counselors take reasonable
measures to avoid causing harm.
G.2.h. Informing Sponsors
Counselors inform sponsors, insti-
tutions, and publication channels
regarding research procedures and
outcomes. Counselors ensure that
appropriate bodies and authorities
are given pertinent information and
acknowledgment.
G.2.i. Research Records
Custodian
As appropriate, researchers prepare and
disseminate to an identified colleague or
records custodian a plan for the transfer
of research data in the case of their inca-
pacitation, retirement, or death.
G.3. Managing and
Maintaining Boundaries
G.3.a. Extending Researcher–
Participant Boundaries
Researchers consider the risks and ben-
efits of extending current research rela-
tionships beyond conventional param-
eters. When a nonresearch interaction
between the researcher and the research
participant may be potentially ben-
eficial, the researcher must document,
prior to the interaction (when feasible),
the rationale for such an interaction, the
potential benefit, and anticipated con-
sequences for the research participant.
Such interactions should be initiated
with appropriate consent of the research
participant. Where unintentional harm
occurs to the research participant, the
researcher must show evidence of an
attempt to remedy such harm.
G.3.b. Relationships With
Research Participants
Sexual or romantic counselor–research
participant interactions or relationships
with current research participants are
prohibited. This prohibition applies to
both in-person and electronic interactions
or relationships.
G.3.c. Sexual Harassment and
Research Participants
Researchers do not condone or subject re-
search participants to sexual harassment.
G.4. Reporting Results
G.4.a. Accurate Results
Counselors plan, conduct, and report
research accurately. Counselors do not
engage in misleading or fraudulent re-
search, distort data, misrepresent data,
or deliberately bias their results. They
describe the extent to which results are
applicable for diverse populations.
G.4.b. Obligation to Report
Unfavorable Results
Counselors report the results of any
research of professional value. Results
that reflect unfavorably on institutions,
programs, services, prevailing opinions,
or vested interests are not withheld.
G.4.c. Reporting Errors
If counselors discover significant errors
in their published research, they take
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 17 •
G.5.e. Agreement of
Contributors
Counselors who conduct joint research
with colleagues or students/supervi-
sors establish agreements in advance re-
garding allocation of tasks, publication
credit, and types of acknowledgment
that will be received.
G.5.f. Student Research
Manuscripts or professional presen-
tations in any medium that are sub-
stantially based on a student’s course
papers, projects, dissertations, or theses
are used only with the student’s permis-
sion and list the student as lead author.
G.5.g. Duplicate Submissions
Counselors submit manuscripts for con-
sideration to only one journal at a time.
Manuscripts that are published in whole
or in substantial part in one journal or
published work are not submitted for
publication to another publisher with-
out acknowledgment and permission
from the original publisher.
G.5.h. Professional Review
Counselors who review material sub-
mitted for publication, research, or
other scholarly purposes respect the
confidentiality and proprietary rights
of those who submitted it. Counselors
make publication decisions based on
valid and defensible standards. Coun-
selors review article submissions in a
timely manner and based on their scope
and competency in research methodolo-
gies. Counselors who serve as reviewers
at the request of editors or publishers
make every effort to only review ma-
terials that are within their scope of
competency and avoid personal biases.
Section H
Distance Counseling,
Technology, and
Social Media
Introduction
Counselors understand that the profes-
sion of counseling may no longer be
limited to in-person, face-to-face inter-
actions. Counselors actively attempt to
understand the evolving nature of the
profession with regard to distance coun-
seling, technology, and social media and
how such resources may be used to bet-
ter serve their clients. Counselors strive
to become knowledgeable about these
resources. Counselors understand the
reasonable steps to correct such errors
in a correction erratum or through other
appropriate publication means.
G.4.d. Identity of Participants
Counselors who supply data, aid in
the research of another person, report
research results, or make original data
available take due care to disguise the
identity of respective participants in
the absence of specific authorization
from the participants to do otherwise.
In situations where participants self-
identify their involvement in research
studies, researchers take active steps
to ensure that data are adapted/
changed to protect the identity and
welfare of all parties and that discus-
sion of results does not cause harm to
participants.
G.4.e. Replication Studies
Counselors are obligated to make
available sufficient original research
information to qualified professionals
who may wish to replicate or extend
the study.
G.5. Publications and
Presentations
G.5.a. Use of Case Examples
The use of participants’, clients’, stu-
dents’, or supervisees’ information
for the purpose of case examples in a
presentation or publication is permis-
sible only when (a) participants, clients,
students, or supervisees have reviewed
the material and agreed to its presenta-
tion or publication or (b) the informa-
tion has been sufficiently modified to
obscure identity.
G.5.b. Plagiarism
Counselors do not plagiarize; that is,
they do not present another person’s
work as their own.
G.5.c. Acknowledging
Previous Work
In publications and presentations,
counselors acknowledge and give rec-
ognition to previous work on the topic
by others or self.
G.5.d. Contributors
Counselors give credit through joint
authorship, acknowledgment, foot-
note statements, or other appropriate
means to those who have contributed
significantly to research or concept
development in accordance with such
contributions. The principal contribu-
tor is listed first, and minor technical
or professional contributions are ac-
knowledged in notes or introductory
statements.
additional concerns related to the use
of distance counseling, technology, and
social media and make every attempt
to protect confidentiality and meet any
legal and ethical requirements for the
use of such resources.
H.1. Knowledge and
Legal Considerations
H.1.a. Knowledge and
Competency
Counselors who engage in the use of
distance counseling, technology, and/
or social media develop knowledge and
skills regarding related technical, ethical,
and legal considerations (e.g., special
certifications, additional course work).
H.1.b. Laws and Statutes
Counselors who engage in the use of dis-
tance counseling, technology, and social
media within their counseling practice
understand that they may be subject to
laws and regulations of both the coun-
selor’s practicing location and the client’s
place of residence. Counselors ensure
that their clients are aware of pertinent
legal rights and limitations governing the
practice of counseling across state lines
or international boundaries.
H.2. Informed Consent
and Security
H.2.a. Informed Consent
and Disclosure
Clients have the freedom to choose
whether to use distance counseling,
social media, and/or technology within
the counseling process. In addition to
the usual and customary protocol of
informed consent between counselor
and client for face-to-face counseling,
the following issues, unique to the use of
distance counseling, technology, and/
or social media, are addressed in the
informed consent process:
• distance counseling credentials,
physical location of practice, and
contact information;
• risks and benefits of engaging in
the use of distance counseling,
technology, and/or social media;
• possibility of technology failure
and alternate methods of service
delivery;
• anticipated response time;
• emergency procedures to follow
when the counselor is not available;
• time zone differences;
• cultural and/or language differ-
ences that may affect delivery of
services;
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 18 •
H.5.b. Client Rights
Counselors who offer distance counseling
services and/or maintain a professional
website provide electronic links to rel-
evant licensure and professional certifica-
tion boards to protect consumer and client
rights and address ethical concerns.
H.5.c. Electronic Links
Counselors regularly ensure that elec-
tronic links are working and are profes-
sionally appropriate.
H.5.d. Multicultural and
Disability Considerations
Counselors who maintain websites
provide accessibility to persons with
disabilities. They provide translation ca-
pabilities for clients who have a different
primary language, when feasible. Coun-
selors acknowledge the imperfect nature
of such translations and accessibilities.
H.6. Social Media
H.6.a. Virtual Professional
Presence
In cases where counselors wish to
maintain a professional and personal
presence for social media use, separate
professional and personal web pages
and profiles are created to clearly distin-
guish between the two kinds of virtual
presence.
H.6.b. Social Media as Part of
Informed Consent
Counselors clearly explain to their clients,
as part of the informed consent procedure,
the benefits, limitations, and boundaries
of the use of social media.
H.6.c. Client Virtual Presence
Counselors respect the privacy of
their clients’ presence on social media
unless given consent to view such
information.
H.6.d. Use of Public
Social Media
Counselors take precautions to avoid
disclosing confidential information
through public social media.
Section I
Resolving Ethical
Issues
Introduction
Professional counselors behave in an
ethical and legal manner. They are
aware that client welfare and trust in
• possible denial of insurance
benefits; and
• social media policy.
H.2.b. Confidentiality
Maintained by the
Counselor
Counselors acknowledge the limitations
of maintaining the confidentiality of
electronic records and transmissions.
They inform clients that individuals
might have authorized or unauthorized
access to such records or transmissions
(e.g., colleagues, supervisors, employ-
ees, information technologists).
H.2.c. Acknowledgment
of Limitations
Counselors inform clients about the
inherent limits of confidentiality when
using technology. Counselors urge
clients to be aware of authorized and/
or unauthorized access to information
disclosed using this medium in the
counseling process.
H.2.d. Security
Counselors use current encryption stan-
dards within their websites and/or tech-
nology-based communications that meet
applicable legal requirements. Counselors
take reasonable precautions to ensure the
confidentiality of information transmitted
through any electronic means.
H.3. Client Verification
Counselors who engage in the use of
distance counseling, technology, and/
or social media to interact with clients
take steps to verify the client’s identity
at the beginning and throughout the
therapeutic process. Verification can
include, but is not limited to, using
code words, numbers, graphics, or other
nondescript identifiers.
H.4. Distance Counseling
Relationship
H.4.a. Benefits and Limitations
Counselors inform clients of the benefits
and limitations of using technology ap-
plications in the provision of counseling
services. Such technologies include, but are
not limited to, computer hardware and/or
software, telephones and applications, so-
cial media and Internet-based applications
and other audio and/or video communi-
cation, or data storage devices or media.
H.4.b. Professional
Boundaries in Distance
Counseling
Counselors understand the necessity of
maintaining a professional relationship
with their clients. Counselors discuss
and establish professional boundaries
with clients regarding the appropriate
use and/or application of technology
and the limitations of its use within
the counseling relationship (e.g., lack
of confidentiality, times when not ap-
propriate to use).
H.4.c. Technology-Assisted
Services
When providing technology-assisted
services, counselors make reasonable
efforts to determine that clients are
intellectually, emotionally, physically,
linguistically, and functionally capable
of using the application and that the ap-
plication is appropriate for the needs of
the client. Counselors verify that clients
understand the purpose and operation
of technology applications and follow
up with clients to correct possible mis-
conceptions, discover appropriate use,
and assess subsequent steps.
H.4.d. Effectiveness of Services
When distance counseling services are
deemed ineffective by the counselor or
client, counselors consider delivering
services face-to-face. If the counselor is
not able to provide face-to-face services
(e.g., lives in another state), the coun-
selor assists the client in identifying
appropriate services.
H.4.e. Access
Counselors provide information to
clients regarding reasonable access to
pertinent applications when providing
technology-assisted services.
H.4.f. Communication
Differences in
Electronic Media
Counselors consider the differences be-
tween face-to-face and electronic com-
munication (nonverbal and verbal cues)
and how these may affect the counseling
process. Counselors educate clients on
how to prevent and address potential
misunderstandings arising from the
lack of visual cues and voice intonations
when communicating electronically.
H.5. Records and
Web Maintenance
H.5.a. Records
Counselors maintain electronic records
in accordance with relevant laws and
statutes. Counselors inform clients on
how records are maintained electroni-
cally. This includes, but is not limited
to, the type of encryption and security
assigned to the records, and if/for how
long archival storage of transaction
records is maintained.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 19 •
the profession depend on a high level of
professional conduct. They hold other
counselors to the same standards and
are willing to take appropriate action
to ensure that standards are upheld.
Counselors strive to resolve ethical
dilemmas with direct and open commu-
nication among all parties involved and
seek consultation with colleagues and
supervisors when necessary. Counselors
incorporate ethical practice into their
daily professional work and engage
in ongoing professional development
regarding current topics in ethical and
legal issues in counseling. Counselors
become familiar with the ACA Policy
and Procedures for Processing Com-
plaints of Ethical Violations1 and use
it as a reference for assisting in the
enforcement of the ACA Code of Ethics.
I.1. Standards and the Law
I.1.a. Knowledge
Counselors know and understand the
ACA Code of Ethics and other applicable
ethics codes from professional organiza-
tions or certification and licensure bod-
ies of which they are members. Lack of
knowledge or misunderstanding of an
ethical responsibility is not a defense
against a charge of unethical conduct.
I.1.b. Ethical Decision Making
When counselors are faced with an eth-
ical dilemma, they use and document,
as appropriate, an ethical decision-
making model that may include, but
is not limited to, consultation; consid-
eration of relevant ethical standards,
principles, and laws; generation of
potential courses of action; deliberation
of risks and benefits; and selection of
an objective decision based on the cir-
cumstances and welfare of all involved.
I.1.c. Conflicts Between Ethics
and Laws
If ethical responsibilities conflict with
the law, regulations, and/or other gov-
erning legal authority, counselors make
known their commitment to the ACA
Code of Ethics and take steps to resolve
the conflict. If the conflict cannot be re-
solved using this approach, counselors,
acting in the best interest of the client,
may adhere to the requirements of the
law, regulations, and/or other govern-
ing legal authority.
I.2. Suspected Violations
I.2.a. Informal Resolution
When counselors have reason to believe
that another counselor is violating or has
violated an ethical standard and substan-
tial harm has not occurred, they attempt
to first resolve the issue informally with
the other counselor if feasible, provided
such action does not violate confidential-
ity rights that may be involved.
I.2.b. Reporting Ethical
Violations
If an apparent violation has substantially
harmed or is likely to substantially harm
a person or organization and is not ap-
propriate for informal resolution or is not
resolved properly, counselors take fur-
ther action depending on the situation.
Such action may include referral to state
or national committees on professional
ethics, voluntary national certification
bodies, state licensing boards, or ap-
propriate institutional authorities. The
confidentiality rights of clients should be
considered in all actions. This standard
does not apply when counselors have
been retained to review the work of
another counselor whose professional
conduct is in question (e.g., consultation,
expert testimony).
I.2.c. Consultation
When uncertain about whether a
particular situation or course of ac-
tion may be in violation of the ACA
Code of Ethics, counselors consult with
other counselors who are knowledge-
able about ethics and the ACA Code
of Ethics, with colleagues, or with
appropriate authorities, such as the
ACA Ethics and Professional Stan-
dards Department.
I.2.d. Organizational Conflicts
If the demands of an organization with
which counselors are affiliated pose
a conflict with the ACA Code of Ethics,
counselors specify the nature of such
conflicts and express to their supervi-
sors or other responsible officials their
commitment to the ACA Code of Ethics
and, when possible, work through the
appropriate channels to address the
situation.
I.2.e. Unwarranted Complaints
Counselors do not initiate, participate
in, or encourage the filing of ethics com-
plaints that are retaliatory in nature or are
made with reckless disregard or willful
ignorance of facts that would disprove
the allegation.
I.2.f. Unfair Discrimination
Against Complainants
and Respondents
Counselors do not deny individuals
employment, advancement, admission
to academic or other programs, tenure,
or promotion based solely on their
having made or their being the subject
of an ethics complaint. This does not
preclude taking action based on the
outcome of such proceedings or con-
sidering other appropriate information.
I.3. Cooperation With
Ethics Committees
Counselors assist in the process of
enforcing the ACA Code of Ethics.
Counselors cooperate with investiga-
tions, proceedings, and requirements
of the ACA Ethics Committee or eth-
ics committees of other duly consti-
tuted associations or boards having
jurisdiction over those charged with
a violation.
1See the American Counseling Association web site at http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 20 •
Glossary of Terms
Abandonment – the inappropriate ending or arbitrary ter-
mination of a counseling relationship that puts the client
at risk.
Advocacy – promotion of the well-being of individuals, groups,
and the counseling profession within systems and organiza-
tions. Advocacy seeks to remove barriers and obstacles that
inhibit access, growth, and development.
Assent – to demonstrate agreement when a person is oth-
erwise not capable or competent to give formal consent
(e.g., informed consent) to a counseling service or plan.
Assessment – the process of collecting in-depth information
about a person in order to develop a comprehensive plan
that will guide the collaborative counseling and service
provision process.
Bartering – accepting goods or services from clients in ex-
change for counseling services.
Client – an individual seeking or referred to the professional
services of a counselor.
Confidentiality – the ethical duty of counselors to protect a
client’s identity, identifying characteristics, and private
communications.
Consultation – a professional relationship that may include,
but is not limited to, seeking advice, information, and/
or testimony.
Counseling – a professional relationship that empowers
diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish
mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
Counselor Educator – a professional counselor engaged
primarily in developing, implementing, and supervising
the educational preparation of professional counselors.
Counselor Supervisor – a professional counselor who en-
gages in a formal relationship with a practicing counselor
or counselor-in-training for the purpose of overseeing that
individual’s counseling work or clinical skill development.
Culture – membership in a socially constructed way of liv-
ing, which incorporates collective values, beliefs, norms,
boundaries, and lifestyles that are cocreated with others
who share similar worldviews comprising biological,
psychosocial, historical, psychological, and other factors.
Discrimination – the prejudicial treatment of an individual
or group based on their actual or perceived membership
in a particular group, class, or category.
Distance Counseling – The provision of counseling services
by means other than face-to-face meetings, usually with
the aid of technology.
Diversity – the similarities and differences that occur within
and across cultures, and the intersection of cultural and
social identities.
Documents – any written, digital, audio, visual, or artistic
recording of the work within the counseling relationship
between counselor and client.
Encryption – process of encoding information in such a way
that limits access to authorized users.
Examinee – a recipient of any professional counseling ser-
vice that includes educational, psychological, and career
appraisal, using qualitative or quantitative techniques.
Exploitation – actions and/or behaviors that take advantage
of another for one’s own benefit or gain.
Fee Splitting – the payment or acceptance of fees for client
referrals (e.g., percentage of fee paid for rent, referral fees).
Forensic Evaluation – the process of forming professional opin-
ions for court or other legal proceedings, based on professional
knowledge and expertise, and supported by appropriate data.
Gatekeeping – the initial and ongoing academic, skill, and
dispositional assessment of students’ competency for pro-
fessional practice, including remediation and termination
as appropriate.
Impairment – a significantly diminished capacity to perform
professional functions.
Incapacitation – an inability to perform professional functions.
Informed Consent – a process of information sharing as-
sociated with possible actions clients may choose to take,
aimed at assisting clients in acquiring a full appreciation
and understanding of the facts and implications of a given
action or actions.
Instrument – a tool, developed using accepted research
practices, that measures the presence and strength of a
specified construct or constructs.
Interdisciplinary Teams – teams of professionals serving
clients that may include individuals who may not share
counselors’ responsibilities regarding confidentiality.
Minors – generally, persons under the age of 18 years, un-
less otherwise designated by statute or regulation. In
some jurisdictions, minors may have the right to consent
to counseling without consent of the parent or guardian.
Multicultural/Diversity Competence – counselors’ cul-
tural and diversity awareness and knowledge about
self and others, and how this awareness and knowledge
are applied effectively in practice with clients and cli-
ent groups.
Multicultural/Diversity Counseling – counseling that recog-
nizes diversity and embraces approaches that support the
worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of individuals
within their historical, cultural, economic, political, and
psychosocial contexts.
Personal Virtual Relationship – engaging in a relationship
via technology and/or social media that blurs the profes-
sional boundary (e.g., friending on social networking
sites); using personal accounts as the connection point for
the virtual relationship.
Privacy – the right of an individual to keep oneself and one’s
personal information free from unauthorized disclosure.
Privilege – a legal term denoting the protection of confidential
information in a legal proceeding (e.g., subpoena, deposi-
tion, testimony).
Pro bono publico – contributing to society by devoting a por-
tion of professional activities for little or no financial return
(e.g., speaking to groups, sharing professional information,
offering reduced fees).
Professional Virtual Relationship – using technology and/
or social media in a professional manner and maintain-
ing appropriate professional boundaries; using business
accounts that cannot be linked back to personal accounts
as the connection point for the virtual relationship (e.g., a
business page versus a personal profile).
Records – all information or documents, in any medium, that
the counselor keeps about the client, excluding personal
and psychotherapy notes.
Records of an Artistic Nature – products created by the client
as part of the counseling process.
Records Custodian – a professional colleague who agrees to
serve as the caretaker of client records for another mental
health professional.
Self-Growth – a process of self-examination and challeng-
ing of a counselor’s assumptions to enhance professional
effectiveness.
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 21 •
Serious and Foreseeable – when a reasonable counselor
can anticipate significant and harmful possible conse-
quences.
Sexual Harassment – sexual solicitation, physical advances,
or verbal/nonverbal conduct that is sexual in nature; oc-
curs in connection with professional activities or roles;
is unwelcome, offensive, or creates a hostile workplace
or learning environment; and/or is sufficiently severe
or intense to be perceived as harassment by a reason-
able person.
Social Justice – the promotion of equity for all people and
groups for the purpose of ending oppression and injustice
affecting clients, students, counselors, families, communi-
ties, schools, workplaces, governments, and other social
and institutional systems.
Social Media – technology-based forms of communica-
tion of ideas, beliefs, personal histories, etc. (e.g., social
networking sites, blogs).
Student – an individual engaged in formal graduate-level
counselor education.
Supervisee – a professional counselor or counselor-in-train-
ing whose counseling work or clinical skill development
is being overseen in a formal supervisory relationship by
a qualified trained professional.
Supervision – a process in which one individual, usually a
senior member of a given profession designated as the
supervisor, engages in a collaborative relationship with
another individual or group, usually a junior member(s)
of a given profession designated as the supervisee(s) in
order to (a) promote the growth and development of the
supervisee(s), (b) protect the welfare of the clients seen by
the supervisee(s), and (c) evaluate the performance of the
supervisee(s).
Supervisor – counselors who are trained to oversee the profes-
sional clinical work of counselors and counselors-in-training.
Teaching – all activities engaged in as part of a formal edu-
cational program that is designed to lead to a graduate
degree in counseling.
Training – the instruction and practice of skills related
to the counseling profession. Training contributes to
the ongoing proficiency of students and professional
counselors.
Virtual Relationship – a non–face-to-face relationship (e.g.,
through social media).
Index
ACA Code of Ethics Preamble …………………… 3
ACA Code of Ethics Purpose …………………….. 3
Section A: The Counseling
Relationship …………………………………….. 4
Section A: Introduction ………………………….. 4
A.1. Client Welfare …………………………………. 4
A.1.a. Primary Responsibility ………………… 4
A.1.b. Records and Documentation ……….. 4
A.1.c. Counseling Plans …………………………. 4
A.1.d. Support Network Involvement …… 4
A.2. Informed Consent in the
Counseling Relationship ………………….. 4
A.2.a. Informed Consent ……………………….. 4
A.2.b. Types of Information Needed ……… 4
A.2.c. Developmental and
Cultural Sensitivity ………………………….. 4
A.2.d. Inability to Give Consent …………….. 4
A.2.e. Mandated Clients ………………………… 4
A.3. Clients Served by Others ……………….. 4
A.4. Avoiding Harm and
Imposing Values ……………………………….. 4
A.4.a. Avoiding Harm ……………………………. 4
A.4.b. Personal Values …………………………… 5
A.5. Prohibited Noncounseling Roles
and Relationships …………………………….. 5
A.5.a. Sexual and/or Romantic
Relationships Prohibited ………………….. 5
A.5.b. Previous Sexual and/or
Romantic Relationships ……………………. 5
A.5.c. Sexual and/or Romantic
Relationships With Former
Clients ………………………………………………. 5
A.5.d. Friends or Family Members ………… 5
A.5.e. Personal Virtual Relationships
With Current Clients ………………………… 5
A.6. Managing and Maintaining
Boundaries and Professional
Relationships…………………………………….. 5
A.6.a. Previous Relationships ………………… 5
A.6.b. Extending Counseling
Boundaries ………………………………………. 5
A.6.c. Documenting Boundary
Extensions ……………………………………….. 5
A.6.d. Role Changes in the
Professional Relationship …………………. 5
A.6.e. Nonprofessional Interactions or
Relationships (Other Than Sexual or
Romantic Interactions or
Relationships) ………………………………….. 5
A.7. Roles and Relationships at
Individual, Group, Institutional,
and Societal Levels ……………………………. 5
A.7.a. Advocacy …………………………………….. 5
A.7.b. Confidentiality and Advocacy …….. 5
A.8. Multiple Clients ……………………………… 6
A.9. Group Work ……………………………………. 6
A.9.a. Screening …………………………………….. 6
A.9.b. Protecting Clients ………………………… 6
A.10. Fees and Business Practices …………… 6
A.10.a. Self-Referral ………………………………. 6
A.10.b. Unacceptable Business
Practices …………………………………………… 6
A.10.c. Establishing Fees ……………………….. 6
A.10.d. Nonpayment of Fees …………………. 6
A.10.e. Bartering ……………………………………. 6
A.10.f. Receiving Gifts …………………………… 6
A.11. Termination and Referral ………………. 6
A.11.a. Competence Within
Termination and Referral …………………. 6
A.11.b. Values Within Termination
and Referral ……………………………………… 6
A.11.c. Appropriate Termination …………… 6
A.11.d. Appropriate Transfer of
Services ……………………………………………. 6
A.12. Abandonment and
Client Neglect ………………………………….. 6
Section B: Confidentiality and Privacy …. 6
Section B: Introduction ………………………….. 6
B.1. Respecting Client Rights ………………….. 6
B.1.a. Multicultural/Diversity
Considerations …………………………………. 6
B.1.b. Respect for Privacy ………………………. 6
B.1.c. Respect for Confidentiality …………… 7
B.1.d. Explanation of Limitations ………….. 7
B.2. Exceptions ……………………………………….. 7
B.2.a. Serious and Foreseeable Harm
and Legal Requirements ………………….. 7
B.2.b. Confidentiality Regarding
End-of-Life Decisions ………………………. 7
B.2.c. Contagious, Life-Threatening
Diseases …………………………………………… 7
B.2.d. Court-Ordered Disclosure ……………. 7
B.2.e. Minimal Disclosure ……………………… 7
B.3. Information Shared With Others ……… 7
B.3.a. Subordinates ………………………………… 7
B.3.b. Interdisciplinary Teams ……………….. 7
B.3.c. Confidential Settings ……………………. 7
B.3.d. Third-Party Payers ………………………. 7
B.3.e. Transmitting Confidential
Information ……………………………………… 7
B.3.f. Deceased Clients …………………………… 7
B.4. Groups and Families ………………………. 7
B.4.a. Group Work …………………………………. 7
B.4.b. Couples and Family Counseling ………7
B.5. Clients Lacking Capacity to
Give Informed Consent ……………………. 7
B.5.a. Responsibility to Clients ………………. 7
B.5.b. Responsibility to Parents and
Legal Guardians ………………………………. 7
B.5.c. Release of Confidential
Information ……………………………………… 7
B.6. Records and Documentation ……………. 7
B.6.a. Creating and Maintaining Records
and Documentation ………………………………7
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 22 •
B.6.b. Confidentiality of Records
and Documentation …………………………. 8
B.6.c. Permission to Record ……………………. 8
B.6.d. Permission to Observe …………………. 8
B.6.e. Client Access ………………………………… 8
B.6.f. Assistance With Records ………………. 8
B.6.g. Disclosure or Transfer ………………….. 8
B.6.h. Storage and Disposal
After Termination …………………………….. 8
B.6.i. Reasonable Precautions ………………… 8
B.7. Case Consultation ……………………………. 8
B.7.a. Respect for Privacy ………………………. 8
B.7.b. Disclosure of Confidential
Information ……………………………………… 8
Section C: Professional Responsibility ……..8
Section C: Introduction …………………………… 8
C.1. Knowledge of and Compliance
With Standards ………………………………… 8
C.2. Professional Competence ……………….. 8
C.2.a. Boundaries of Competence ………….. 8
C.2.b. New Specialty Areas of Practice ….. 8
C.2.c. Qualified for Employment …………… 8
C.2.d. Monitor Effectiveness ………………….. 8
C.2.e. Consultations on Ethical
Obligations ……………………………………….. 9
C.2.f. Continuing Education ………………….. 9
C.2.g. Impairment …………………………………. 9
C.2.h. Counselor Incapacitation,
Death, Retirement, or Termination
of Practice ………………………………………… 9
C.3. Advertising and Soliciting Clients …… 9
C.3.a. Accurate Advertising …………………… 9
C.3.b. Testimonials ………………………………… 9
C.3.c. Statements by Others …………………… 9
C.3.d. Recruiting Through
Employment …………………………………….. 9
C.3.e. Products and Training
Advertisements ………………………………… 9
C.3.f. Promoting to Those Served ………….. 9
C.4. Professional Qualifications ……………… 9
C.4.a. Accurate Representation ……………… 9
C.4.b. Credentials ………………………………….. 9
C.4.c. Educational Degrees ……………………. 9
C.4.d. Implying Doctoral-Level
Competence …………………………………….. 9
C.4.e. Accreditation Status …………………….. 9
C.4.f. Professional Membership …………….. 9
C.5. Nondiscrimination …………………………. 9
C.6. Public Responsibility ……………………… 9
C.6.a. Sexual Harassment ………………………. 9
C.6.b. Reports to Third Parties ………………. 9
C.6.c. Media Presentations …………………….. 9
C.6.d. Exploitation of Others ……………….. 10
C.6.e. Contributing to the Public Good
(Pro Bono Publico) ……………………………. 10
C.7. Treatment Modalities …………………….. 10
C.7.a. Scientific Basis for Treatment ……… 10
C.7.b. Development and Innovation ……. 10
C.7.c. Harmful Practices ………………………. 10
C.8. Responsibility to Other
Professionals …………………………………… 10
C.8.a. Personal Public Statements ………… 10
Section D: Relationships With
Other Professionals ………………………. 10
Section D: Introduction ……………………….. 10
D.1. Relationships With Colleagues,
Employers, and Employees …………….. 10
D.1.a. Different Approaches ………………… 10
D.1.b. Forming Relationships ………………. 10
D.1.c. Interdisciplinary Teamwork ………. 10
D.1.d. Establishing Professional and
Ethical Obligations …………………………. 10
D.1.e. Confidentiality …………………………… 10
D.1.f. Personnel Selection and
Assignment ……………………………………. 10
D.1.g. Employer Policies ……………………… 10
D.1.h. Negative Conditions …………………. 10
D.1.i. Protection From Punitive Action
D.2. Provision of Consultation Services … 10
D.2.a. Consultant Competency ……………. 10
D.2.b. Informed Consent in
Formal Consultation ………………………. 10
Section E: Evaluation, Assessment,
and Interpretation …………………………. 11
Section E: Introduction ………………………… 11
E.1. General …………………………………………. 11
E.1.a. Assessment …………………………………. 11
E.1.b. Client Welfare …………………………….. 11
E.2. Competence to Use and
Interpret Assessment Instruments …… 11
E.2.a. Limits of Competence ………………… 11
E.2.b. Appropriate Use ………………………… 11
E.2.c. Decisions Based on Results ………… 11
E.3. Informed Consent in Assessment ….. 11
E.3.a. Explanation to Clients ………………… 11
E.3.b. Recipients of Results ………………….. 11
E.4. Release of Data to Qualified
Personnel ……………………………………….. 11
E.5. Diagnosis of Mental Disorders ………. 11
E.5.a. Proper Diagnosis ………………………… 11
E.5.b. Cultural Sensitivity ……………………. 11
E.5.c. Historical and Social Prejudices
in the Diagnosis of Pathology ………… 11
E.5.d. Refraining From Diagnosis ………… 11
E.6. Instrument Selection………………………. 11
E.6.a. Appropriateness of Instruments …. 11
E.6.b. Referral Information ………………….. 11
E.7. Conditions of Assessment
Administration ………………………………. 11
E.7.a. Administration Conditions ………… 11
E.7.b. Provision of Favorable
Conditions ……………………………………… 11
E.7.c. Technological Administration …….. 11
E.7.d. Unsupervised Assessments ……….. 12
E.8. Multicultural Issues/Diversity
in Assessment ………………………………… 12
E.9. Scoring and Interpretation
of Assessments ……………………………….. 12
E.9.a. Reporting …………………………………… 12
E.9.b. Instruments With Insufficient
Empirical Data ………………………………… 12
E.9.c. Assessment Services …………………… 12
E.10. Assessment Security …………………….. 12
E.11. Obsolete Assessment and
Outdated Results …………………………….. 12
E.12. Assessment Construction ……………. 12
E.13. Forensic Evaluation: Evaluation
for Legal Proceedings …………………….. 12
E.13.a. Primary Obligations …………………. 12
E.13.b. Consent for Evaluation …………….. 12
E.13.c. Client Evaluation
Prohibited ………………………………………. 12
E.13.d. Avoid Potentially Harmful
Relationships ………………………………….. 12
Section F: Supervision, Training,
and Teaching …………………………………. 12
Section F: Introduction …………………………. 12
F.1. Counselor Supervision and
Client Welfare …………………………………. 12
F.1.a. Client Welfare ……………………………… 12
F.1.b. Counselor Credentials ………………… 12
F.1.c. Informed Consent and
Client Rights ………………………………….. 13
F.2. Counselor Supervision
Competence …………………………………… 13
F.2.a. Supervisor Preparation ……………….. 13
F.2.b. Multicultural Issues/Diversity
in Supervision ………………………………… 13
F.2.c. Online Supervision ………………………. 13
F.3. Supervisory Relationship ……………….. 13
F.3.a. Extending Conventional
Supervisory Relationships ………………. 13
F.3.b. Sexual Relationships …………………… 13
F.3.c. Sexual Harassment ……………………… 13
F.3.d. Friends or Family Members ……….. 13
F.4. Supervisor Responsibilities …………….. 13
F.4.a. Informed Consent for
Supervision ……………………………………. 13
F.4.b. Emergencies and Absences …………. 13
F.4.c. Standards for Supervisees …………… 13
F.4.d. Termination of the Supervisory
Relationship …………………………………… 13
F.5. Student and Supervisee
Responsibilities ……………………………….. 13
F.5.a. Ethical Responsibilities ……………….. 13
F.5.b. Impairment ………………………………… 13
F.5.c. Professional Disclosure ……………….. 13
F.6. Counseling Supervision Evaluation,
Remediation, and Endorsement ……… 13
F.6.a. Evaluation ………………………………….. 13
F.6.b. Gatekeeping and Remediation ……. 13
F.6.c. Counseling for Supervisees …………. 14
F.6.d. Endorsements …………………………….. 14
F.7. Responsibilities of Counselor
Educators ………………………………………… 14
F.7.a. Counselor Educators …………………… 14
F.7.b. Counselor Educator Competence .. 14
F.7.c. Infusing Multicultural
Issues/Diversity …………………………….. 14
F.7.d. Integration of Study and Practice …. 14
F.7.e. Teaching Ethics …………………………… 14
F.7.f. Use of Case Examples …………………. 14
F.7.g. Student-to-Student Supervision
and Instruction ………………………………. 14
F.7.h. Innovative Theories and
Techniques ……………………………………… 14
F.7.i. Field Placements ………………………….. 14
F.8. Student Welfare …………………………….. 14
F.8.a. Program Information and
Orientation ……………………………………… 14
F.8.b. Student Career Advising …………….. 14
F.8.c. Self-Growth Experiences …………….. 14
F.8.d. Addressing Personal Concerns …… 14
F.9. Evaluation and Remediation ………….. 15
F.9.a. Evaluation of Students ……………….. 15
F.9.b. Limitations …………………………………. 15
F.9.c. Counseling for Students ……………… 15
F.10. Roles and Relationships
Between Counselor Educators
and Students …………………………………… 15
F.10.a. Sexual or Romantic
Relationships ………………………………….. 15
F.10.b. Sexual Harassment …………………… 15
F.10.c. Relationships With Former
Students …………………………………………. 15
F.10.d. Nonacademic Relationships ……… 15
F.10.e. Counseling Services ………………….. 15
F.10.f. Extending Educator–Student
Boundaries ……………………………………… 15
F.11. Multicultural/Diversity Competence
in Counselor Education and
Training Programs…………………………… 15
F.11.a. Faculty Diversity ………………………. 15
F.11.b. Student Diversity ……………………… 15
F.11.c. Multicultural/Diversity
Competence …………………………………… 15
Section G: Research and Publication ….. 15
Section G: Introduction ……………………….. 15
G.1. Research Responsibilities ……………… 15
• ACA Code of Ethics •
• 23 •
G.1.a. Conducting Research …………………. 15
G.1.b. Confidentiality in Research ……….. 15
G.1.c. Independent Researchers …………… 15
G.1.d. Deviation From Standard
Practice …………………………………………… 16
G.1.e. Precautions to Avoid Injury ……….. 16
G.1.f. Principal Researcher
Responsibility ………………………………… 16
G.2. Rights of Research Participants ……… 16
G.2.a. Informed Consent in Research …… 16
G.2.b. Student/Supervisee
Participation …………………………………… 16
G.2.c. Client Participation ……………………. 16
G.2.d. Confidentiality of Information ……. 16
G.2.e. Persons Not Capable of Giving
Informed Consent …………………………… 16
G.2.f. Commitments to Participants …….. 16
G.2.g. Explanations After Data
Collection ……………………………………….. 16
G.2.h. Informing Sponsors …………………… 16
G.2.i. Research Records Custodian ………. 16
G.3. Managing and Maintaining
Boundaries …………………………………….. 16
G.3.a. Extending Researcher–
Participant Boundaries …………………… 16
G.3.b. Relationships With Research
Participants ……………………………………. 16
G.3.c. Sexual Harassment and
Research Participants ……………………… 16
G.4. Reporting Results ………………………….. 16
G.4.a. Accurate Results ………………………… 16
G.4.b. Obligation to Report
Unfavorable Results ……………………….. 16
G.4.c. Reporting Errors ………………………… 16
G.4.d. Identity of Participants ……………… 17
G.4.e. Replication Studies ……………………. 17
G.5. Publications and Presentations ……… 17
G.5.a. Use of Case Examples ………………… 17
G.5.b. Plagiarism …………………………………. 17
G.5.c. Acknowledging Previous Work …… 17
G.5.d. Contributors ……………………………… 17
G.5.e. Agreement of Contributors ………… 17
G.5.f. Student Research ………………………… 17
G.5.g. Duplicate Submissions ………………. 17
G.5.h. Professional Review ………………….. 17
Section H: Distance Counseling,
Technology, and
Social Media …………………………………… 17
Section H: Introduction ………………………… 17
H.1. Knowlede and
Legal Considerations ……………………… 17
H.1.a. Knowledge and Competency …….. 17
H.1.b. Laws and Statutes ……………………… 17
H.2. Informed Consent and Security …….. 17
H.2.a. Informed Consent and Disclosure …. 17
H.2.b. Confidentiality Maintained by
the Counselor …………………………………. 18
H.2.c. Acknowledgment of
Limitations ……………………………………… 18
H.2.d. Security ……………………………………… 18
H.3. Client Verification ………………………… 18
H.4. Distance Counseling
Relationship …………………………………… 18
H.4.a. Benefits and Limitations …………….. 18
H.4.b. Professional Boundaries in
Distance Counseling ……………………….. 18
H.4.c. Technology-Assisted Services …….. 18
H.4.d. Effectiveness of Services …………….. 18
H.4.e. Access ………………………………………… 18
H.4.f. Communication Differences in
Electronic Media ……………………………… 18
H.5. Records and Web Maintenance ……… 18
H.5.a. Records ………………………………………. 18
H.5.b. Client Rights ………………………………. 18
H.5.c. Electronic Links …………………………. 18
H.5.d. Multicultural and Disability
Considerations ……………………………….. 18
H.6. Social Media………………………………….. 18
H.6.a. Virtual Professional Presence …….. 18
H.6.b. Social Media as Part of
Informed Consent …………………………… 18
H.6.c. Client Virtual Presence ………………. 18
H.6.d. Use of Public Social Media ………… 18
Section I: Resolving Ethical Issues ……… 18
Section I: Introduction ………………………….. 18
I.1. Standards and the Law …………………… 19
I.1.a. Knowledge ………………………………….. 19
I.1.b. Ethical Decision Making ……………… 19
I.1.c. Conflicts Between Ethics
and Laws ……………………………………….. 19
I.2. Suspected Violations ………………………. 19
I.2.a. Informal Resolution …………………….. 19
I.2.b. Reporting Ethical Violations ……….. 19
I.2.c. Consultation ………………………………… 19
I.2.d. Organizational Conflicts ……………… 19
I.2.e. Unwarranted Complaints
I.2.f. Unfair Discrimination Against
Complainants and
Respondents …………………………………… 19
I.3. Cooperation With Ethics
Committees ……………………………………. 19
Glossary of Terms ……………………………….. 20
Ethics Related Resources
From ACA!
• Free consultation on ethics for ACA Members
• Bestselling publications revised in accordance with the
2014 Code of Ethics, including ACA Ethical Standards
Casebook, Boundary Issues in Counseling, Ethics Desk
Reference for Counselors, and The Counselor and the Law
• Podcast and six-part webinar series on the 2014 Code
• The latest information on ethics at counseling.org/ethics
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DURING CLASS
During our class, we were in a group and reviewed the previous work (Rate Your Values), where the answers were surprising as each partner had a different perspective on life. We discussed the principal values in chapter 2, where we analyzed the different cases, and I understood that we are very likely to be sued for any reason. We did a peer review and looked at our next assignment.
COURSE OBJETIVE FOR THE CLASS
1. Identify the attributes of the mental health counseling profession as well as
personal values and biases.
2. Examine the process of becoming a professional, becoming committed to a
profession and contributing to its development as well as consider the current
strains and strengths in the profession.
3. Develop an awareness of ethical assumptions and choices that are made and
accepted each day of practice.
4. Identify and apply AMHCA and ACA Codes of Ethics.
5. Identify and apply systematic approaches for dealing with ethical
dilemmas. Utilize several models in the ethical decision-making process; consider
contextual factors such as culture, law, consequences, and priorities.
6. Identify laws regarding professional practice, malpractice and liability.
7. Present information, articulate several viewpoints and engage others in
discussion about ethics in a non-judgmental and open-minded manner.
8. Identify and differentiate laws, codes of ethics, values, and personal beliefs.
9. Utilizing both interdependent and independent point of views and critical
thinking
Professional Issues and Mental Health
Week 2 Summary, Connection & Reflection
A summary, connection and learning reflection discussion board post of the week’s readings, Tuesday night class meeting, content and learning activities are due by Tuesday 1/24 class meeting for peer review.
Class meeting: 1/24/23
Readings & Assessments:
· Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: chapters 6 & 17
· AMHCA Section I.C
· ACA Code of Ethics Section C
· “Sitting Down with Nedra Glover Tawwab” article
· Appendix B Standards of Self-Care Guidelines
· Self-Care Assessment
· Self-Assessment: An Inventory of your Attitudes and Beliefs about Professional and Ethical Issues
1.
BRIEFLY Summarize readings and class meeting summary (100-200 words), written in your own words, in paragraph form
2.
Connect course readings, class activities and/or your personal and/or professional experiences (three connections in total). Underline or bold course reading material. Describe/define the course reading and how it relates to another course reading and/or class activity (-ies) (paragraph form OR bullet points).
Examples: Both the ACA & AMHCA sections…….
Reading ……reminded me of a time when I saw, felt, did…..
One difference I noticed between____________and ______________.
3.
Reflect on your learning experiences. This is an opportunity for you to reflect on your class experiences, readings, written assignments and the course objectives as they are outlined in the syllabus.
· a. Review chapter 2 of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling. Which 1-2 of the fictional scenarios most resonated with you? How so?
· Consider your professional AND personal roles (i.e., social identities/positions) and values. How do those roles and values relate to the scenario that most resonated with you?
· Which values from the personal values handout are most related/relevant to your selected scenario?
· Which items the
Self-Assessment: An Inventory of your Attitudes and Beliefs about Professional and Ethical Issues seem most relevant to your selected scenario?
· Draft a question, statement, dilemma and/or concern regarding your selected scenario. This scenario is about…..The essential question here is…..In a nutshell, the dilemma is…..The concern here is……
· Which ethical principles from the ACA seem most pertinent to the scenario?
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