Appropriate time and resources should be given so that all stakeholders in the process feel confident in the decision to resolve the ethical issue. At any point, professionals should discuss the issue with their supervisors, administrators, or professional associations to include them in the process. Self-Assessment Question 1 Therapists and counselors share the commitment to confidentiality of client data and privileged information. Under which of the following situations may confidential information be disclosed? a. At the request of the family b. At the counselor’s/therapist’s discretion after the process of ethical decision making c. Under no circumstances except when ordered by the court d. In cases of serious and foreseeable danger that requires the duty to warn
According to the NBCC 2023 revised Code of Ethics: Counselors shall not share client information that is obtained through the counseling process without specific written consent by the client or legal guardian except when necessary to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to the client or others, or when otherwise mandated by federal or state law or regulation. AAMFT Standard 2.2 advises: ● Marriage and family therapists do not disclose client confidences, except by written authorization or waiver or where mandated or permitted by law. Verbal authorization will not be sufficient except in emergency situations, unless prohibited by law. ● See the subsequent sections on the Tarasoff v. Regent’s case for further details.
CURRENT ETHICAL CODES
A revision of the ACA Code of Ethics was completed in 2014. Changes were made that impacted professional counselors across all settings and specialties. The revised 2014 ACA Code of Ethics was the first new edition of the Code of Ethics since 2005. The AAMFT Code was revised on January 1, 2015; the NBCC Code was revised May 15, 2023. Major changes in the new codes involve distance counseling using technology and social media for client communication. These codes cover guidelines to address ethical considerations for confidentiality, client verification, safeguards, and effectiveness of therapy that must be considered while using these new forms of service delivery with clients. Other new additions in the codes provide guidance in order to avoid any influence or bias toward clients based on the imposition of the counselor’s personal values. The revised codes replace all others and provide additional guidelines for ensuring confidentiality, maintaining boundaries in dual relationships, increasing focus on multicultural diversity, safeguarding methods for record-keeping and securing information, assessing and diagnosing mental illness, as well as the selection of interventions. The growing population of clients older than age 60 led to the inclusion of guidelines in the codes to handle counseling issues and ethics related to end-of-life care, managed care, and Medicaid/Medicare. Service payments for these clients are particularly complex. Although some of the services have been expanded through the federally mandated Affordable Care Act (ACA), some states have opted out of paying for additional services that are not covered under the ACA. Some states with a large population of citizens older than 65 have opted out of additional Medicaid and Medicare program funding. As a result, this has affected payments for mental health services, including counseling and therapy. A review of the ethics codes for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), and the Association of Marital Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) reveals similarities in the values, principles, and standards that guide the counseling professions. All of these organizations’
missions seek to enhance human development and well- being, recognize diversity, and promote self-worth, dignity, potential, and independence for all people within their social and cultural contexts. These associations have ethics codes that apply to scientific, educational, and professional roles. They share common terms and definitions and are based on the premise that the client’s welfare always has the highest priority. These codes clarify the ethical responsibilities of professional practice and provide guidelines when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise. The code for each association includes information in the following areas: ● Building trust for effective, collaborative client relationships ● Communication, informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality ● Multicultural diversity in practice ● Professional responsibility for ethical behavior and practice ● Evaluation, assessment, and interpretation of data ● Ethical use of technology and social media ● Training, teaching, and supervision ● Research and publication ● Relationships, consultation, and ethical responsibilities with colleagues and other professionals ● Ethical responsibilities to society ● Resolving ethical issues, complaints, or inquiries. This course reviews and discusses key elements of the codes of ethics for marriage and family therapy and professional counseling, ethical decision-making, and associations’ policies and procedures for addressing ethical complaints. It is not a comprehensive guide for compliance or a source of legal information or advice. The codes of ethics state that they are not able to address every possible ethical dilemma that therapists or counselors may face in their practice. The practitioner must seek professional assistance and collaboration as directed by their association, or employing agency, and refer to code guidelines on a regular basis. In addition, all professional associations can assist with questions related to ethical practice; therefore, contact information will be included.
SUMMARY OF THE NBCC CODE OF ETHICS
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) certifies licensed counselors who volunteer to enter the program from a variety of specialty areas and professional
associations. NBCC offers general counselor certification as well as a choice of specialty areas in accordance with the counselor’s specific practice. The NBCC Code of Ethics is
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