professional orientation and ethical practice

ethics

• guidelines

• not laws althought generally supportive of ethics

code of ethics

• have higher more stringent standards than the law but laws supersede ethics

if code has state guidelines a violation of the ethical code

• would be a violation of state law

• laws supersede ethics

ethical standards of practice

• principles that guide professional behavior and decision-making within a specific field. They serve to maintain integrity, accountability, and respect in professional interactions.

counselor must

respect diversity and should never discrminate against clients due to age, race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, or SES and never engage in sexual harassment

informed consent

• a process by which clients are provided with adequate information regarding the counseling process, risks, and benefits, allowing them to make an informed decision about their participation

• services should not began until verbal and written consent has been provided

dual/nonprofessional relationships

• having a relationship with client or supervisee that has nothing to do with counseling

• impair professional judgement and objectivity

sexual realtionship with client/supervisee

• five years after counseling terminated and must be certain r/s is not exploiting client

• should not accept an individual they had a former romantic or sexual relationship w a client or friends/family

must screen group members

to see if it is appropriate. group leaders are responsible for safety of the clients and must avoid physical or psychological harm to subjects in a study

who does ultimate responsibility for ethical research lie with?

principle researcher

multiple submissions

• are not ethical

• never submit article to more than one journal at a time it must be rejected by one professional journal before you can send your research to another

fees

• financial arrangements with clients must be discussed with clients before treatment begins

• counselor should help secure services if necessary after termination

what happens if a counselor accidentally secures a client they cannot help?

• the counselor should immediately terminate and make an appropriate referral

• need to avoid entering a relationship if they cannot help or assist

confidential

• everything discussed in session is a secret unless something needs to be disclosed by law (abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abuse of children, disabled individuals, and the elderly)

  • If a person is in serious imminent danger to self and/or others

confidentiality in a group setting

• need to clearly state that as the counselor, you prioritize confidentiality, but that you cannot guarantee confidentiality. 

confidentality in marriage and family therapy

• you cannot disclose what one family member said in counseling to another family member without the first family member giving you consent. 

client’s identity when conducting training, teaching, research or publishing

• disguise true client identity

counselors must know the boundaries of

• competence and not practice in an area where they lack the necessary qualifications (similar to test and assessment devices)

it is unethical to use a test for a purpose other than

• what the test was created for

• counselors should never base decision on outdated tests or information

• need to explain to clients why you are giving the test and uses of the results

continuing education sessions (CEUs)

• required

  • maintain professional competence

impaired professional

counselor who has professional probelms that can harm clients

counselor should never use their job or affiliation with an agency, educational insitution or hosptial to

recuirt clients for prviate practice

misrepresentation of credentials

• occurs when a professional falsely claims or exaggerates their qualifications, training, or credentials to deceive clients or employers.

  • must be certain they never misreprsent

can counselors accept referral fees?

no

when should feedback be given to a supervisee?

throughout supervision period

what does nbcc stipulate about setting a client’s fee?

• take client’s financial situation into consideration

• if they cannot afford fees, you help clients find comparable services elsewhere

how long do you keep clients’ records for after final contact?

• period of five years even in cases where client has died

synchronous counseling

• refers to real-time interactions between counselor and client, typically conducted via video or phone