Ethics and Decision Making in Counseling and Psychotherapy - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards defined verbatim from Chapter 1: Introduction to Ethical Issues and Decision Making in Counseling and Psychotherapy.

Ethical Dilemma

A circumstance that stymies or confuses a counselor because competing ethical standards apply, there is a conflict between ethics and morality, complex situations make standard application unclear, or other circumstances prevent clear application of standards.

Philosophical Ethics

The theoretical analysis of what is good, right, or worthy within the discipline of philosophy.

Philosophical Morality

The assessment of actions of a person against a theory in philosophical ethics, which always refers to an act.

Professionally Mandated Ethics

Acceptable or good practice according to agreed-upon rules or standards of practice established by a profession, as in counseling, psychology, or marriage and family therapy.

Morality

The principles that guide an individual in daily life, which sometimes derive from a religious standard and are also referred to as moral principles.

Evolutionary Naturalism

An ethics theory developed by 19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, wherein right and wrong result from what is naturally selected.

Categorical Imperative

Immanuel Kant's ethical concept stating that a decision maker must consider whether a decision may become a universal standard, often reduced to the golden rule.

American Counseling Association (ACA)

The professional organization for counselors that provides a forum to address their educational, professional, and personal needs.

Licensure

A state authority process that allows a person to practice a profession and prevents the practice of that profession by those who are unlicensed.

Legally Mandated Ethics

Ethical standards defined by laws requiring individuals to act in a certain manner as set forth by state or federal legislatures, licensure boards, or judge-made case law opinions.

American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB)

An organization representing state licensure boards that provides guidance on ethical standards and enforcement while working to improve technical proficiency and consistency in licensing standards.

Portability

Licensing reciprocity whereby a licensed counselor's credentials in one state are recognized by another state for licensure purposes without additional imposed requirements.

Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ)

A credential established by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) for individuals meeting quality licensure standards to facilitate reciprocity between states in psychology.

Ethical Principles

The broad philosophical guidelines that direct ethical practice.

Mandatory Ethics

The most basic level of ethical functioning, wherein individuals focus on compliance with the law and the dictates of professional codes of ethics that apply to their practice.

Aspirational Ethics

A level of ethical functioning where practitioners reflect on the effects of a situation on client welfare and the profession as a whole, defining ideal practice.

Professional Accreditation

The voluntary review process whereby a college or university professional program is evaluated by an accrediting body to certify that it meets established high professional standards.

Scope of Practice

The extent and limits of specific activities considered acceptable by individuals licensed or certified in a profession or specialty.

Commission on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

A professional accrediting body that evaluates graduate education programs in counselor education.