This paper will attempt to compare the similarities and differences in the ethics codes of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). In addition to the discussion of general similarities and differences of the two codes of ethics, the paper will also will also compare and contrast the following three areas of counseling in depth: confidentiality, sexual intimacies, and research and publication. While both codes of ethics have guidelines for each of these topics that are similar in scope, they also vary from one another on the specific details. Each of the codes of ethics keeps the client in mind and wants to ensure the best quality of care, but outlines how that care should be administered a little differently between the two.…
The field of professional counseling provides for occasions for the counselor to make decisions based on professional ethics. Ethics can be commonly derived from one’s own values. In order to create a more consistent standard codes of ethics have been published. Two of these publications will be used in this paper: 1) American Counseling Association (ACA): Code of Ethics (2005), 2) American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC): Code of Ethics (2004). Whereas these organizations are based on different ideals, a general comparison will be made. Inasmuch as revisions are ongoing, this paper will review several that were revised in the latest publication, as highlighted in the article New Mandates and Imperatives in the Revised ACA Code of Ethics. (2009)…
A Comparison of the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics…
The ACA Code of Ethics is a set of standards for professional helpers to follow. The Code “reflects the counseling profession’s understanding of the responsibilities inherent in the covenantal relationship with society” (Ponton & Duba, 2009). This Code is a set of standards to basically keep everyone on the same page when working with clients. Upon reading the Code, I was intrigued with the Bartering component found in section A.10.d. I did not realize that bartering was allowed at such a professional level. The Code states that “counselors consider the cultural implications” before agreeing to a bartering arrangement (ACA Code of Ethics, 2006). Bartering could be considered, especially when working with clients from other cultures,…
Many professions have their own either written or understood code of ethics. This holds true for the profession of counseling, including the Christian sector of counseling. The American Counseling Association along with the American Association of Christian counselors both published codes of ethics for the licensed professionals in this particular field. Their specific ethics provide counselors with a guideline of how to correctly and ethically serve their clients. Some of the ethics described in these documents are: confidentiality, informed consent, and discrimination, healthy relationships with clients, laws and regulations, along with other specific duties to the clients and to the profession itself. These detailed standards are set in place to uphold the integrity of the counseling profession and ensure that clients are cared for in the most appropriate manner. This paper compares the two codes of ethics, pointing out specifically the similarities and differences the following topics: competence, fees, and personal problems of counselors.…
As a future counselor, I can say with certainty that at some point in my counseling career I will be faced with an ethical dilemma. What will help me in this type of situation is having a solid understanding of the ACA Ethical Guidelines. My understanding of ethics is that it is beneficial to both the client and the counselor and serves as a guide for counselors and protects the client. From the counselor perspective, ethical guidelines provide guidance, boundaries and answers to ethical dilemmas that arise during counseling sessions. To be discussed in this paper is a summary of my understanding of ethics as it pertains to ethics and legalities course I am currently enrolled in. In addition the ethical codes…
Ponton, R. F., & Duba, J. D. (2009). The "ACA Code of Ethics": Articulating Counseling 's Professional Covenant. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 87(1), 117-121.…
References: 2005 ACA Code of Ethics Wheeler, A.M. & Bertram, B. (2008). The counselor and the law: a guide to legal and ethical Practice (5thed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association…
Remely Jr., Theodore and Herlihy, Barbara. (2010). Ethical, legal and professional issues in counseling. Retrieved on January 27, 2013 from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/pearson/2010/ethical-legal-and-professional-issues-in-counseling_ebook_3e.php…
Dufrene, R. L., & Herlihy, B. (2011). Current and emerging ethical issues in counseling: a Delphi study of expert opinions. Counseling and Values, 56(1-2), 10+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA271883260&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=74b740b5c19e679f8d116a2ab0baec9a…
When providing counseling services to individuals or a group of individuals, one needs to be cautious on his or her approach to everyone’s specific needs. Even though there are a variety of methods to solving a problem, some methods encounter ethical dilemmas. The ethical dilemma is about Jane, a counselor at a community college, who starts a relationship skills group for nine individuals between the ages of 18-25. In her primary course of action, she encounters several ethical dilemmas: she fails to provide sufficient information about the group in an advertisement, encounters ethical problems within the enrollment process, fails to provide an informed consent to the enrollees, and puts the other attendees at risk of harm. By identifying the code of ethics involved and the moral principles within her primary course of action, Jane is able to purpose and evaluate several options that she can properly apply to her final course of action, eliminating the ethical dilemmas.…
Huey, W. C. (2011). The Revised 2010 Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Georgia School Counselors Association Journal, 18(1), 6-12.…
The American Counseling Association and the American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics both provide guidance and direction in making ethical decisions for their members (ACA, 2005) (AMHCA, 2010). Both the ACA and the AMHCA Codes of Ethics cover a wide range of moral and ethical situations that could present themselves to mental health professionals. Both of these codes of ethics have significant impacts on the counseling profession. The tools provided by these codes of ethics ensure that mental health professionals are able to conform to the regulations set forth. They address common concerns from varying points of view. Understanding these codes of ethics is essential to all mental health professionals in order to aid in resolving ethical and moral issues that might evolve in practice. These codes of ethics have many similarities and some differences. I will highlight just a sampling of these comparisons.…
The American Counseling Association provides a Code of Ethics (2014) that clearly establishes a set of ethical obligations that ACA members must follow. The Code also guides professional counselors and counselors-in-training to ethical practices and strengthens professional counselor identity. Through this Code, the ACA clarifies its current and prospective members’ ethical responsibilities and informs those who are served by the ACA members. ACA members using the Code’s ethical decision-making guide develop ethical courses of action when faced with dilemmas.…
Rehmley, T.P., & Herlihy, B. (2010). Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling. Merrill; New York.…