COMPS Professional Orientation & Ethical Practice

What is the primary professional organization for counselors?

American Counseling Association (ACA).

What is the ACA Code of Ethics?

A professional ethical code that provides guidance for ethical counseling practice and professional conduct.

What is beneficence?

Promoting the client's welfare.

What is nonmaleficence?

Avoiding harm.

What is autonomy?

Respecting the client's right to make their own decisions.

What is justice?

Fairness and equitable treatment.

What is fidelity?

Maintaining trust and honoring professional commitments.

What is confidentiality?

The counselor's ethical responsibility to protect information shared by the client.

Is confidentiality absolute?

No. There are ethical and legal exceptions.

What are common exceptions to confidentiality?

Danger to self/others, suspected abuse or neglect, court/legal requirements, and client authorization/release.

What is privileged communication?

A legal protection that may prevent confidential counseling information from being disclosed in legal proceedings.

What is the difference between confidentiality and privileged communication?

Confidentiality = ethical/professional duty.
Privilege = legal protection.

What is informed consent?

The process of giving clients enough information about counseling so they can make an informed and voluntary decision about participating.

What should informed consent address?

Counseling procedures, risks and benefits, confidentiality and its limits, fees, technology when applicable, counselor qualifications, client rights, and other relevant information.

Is informed consent a one-time event?

No. It is an ongoing process.

What are progress notes?

Clinical/behavioral documentation that may include assessment information, diagnosis, symptoms, interventions, goals, progress, dates, releases, and termination information.

What are process notes?

Notes kept separately by the counselor that contain the counselor's personal thoughts or analysis and are not generally shared with clients.

Can a counselor alter a client's record because the client wants to see it?

No. Once information becomes part of the record, the counselor cannot simply change information they don't want the client to see.

A client's insurance has reached its session limit, but the counselor believes additional counseling is necessary. What should the counselor do?

Refer the client for continued counseling with a practitioner who can provide services.

What ethical principle is demonstrated by referring a client when you cannot continue treatment?

Beneficence/client welfare and continuity of care.