normative groups and limitations of use that may affect the administration or interpretation of results. If appropriate, the counselor may provide a referral to another qualified professional who specializes in the evaluation of individuals with similar conditions. 10. Counselors shall follow administration and interpretation protocols for all tests and assessments, including the use of appropriate computer software. 11. Counselors shall comply with identified information and data security protocols identified by test publishers when using published tests and assessments. Research 1. Counselors shall protect the welfare of research participants by taking all appropriate precautions to prevent negative psychological or physical effects. 2. Counselors shall protect the identities of research participants by appropriately disguising data, except when there is a specific written client authorization for an identified appropriate reason. 3. Counselors conducting research with underrepresented groups must take into consideration their historical, diverse, and multicultural experiences, and only use techniques and approaches based on established, clinically sound theory applicable to underrepresented populations. 4. Counselors shall take credit only for research activities they have performed or authored. 5. Counselors shall provide appropriate disclosures prior to research participation, and appropriately report to and debrief participants regarding the subject and features of the study after research data is collected. 6. Counselors shall provide critical information, through a written informed consent process, to potential research subjects that will assist them in reaching a determination about participation. This information shall include the research purpose, process, duration, risks, potential consequences, and procedures, as well as the participant’s right to refuse or withdraw from participation. 7. Counselors shall accurately report results of research, including limitations and variables that may have impacted the findings. 8. Counselors shall not employ deceptive techniques in research unless there are no alternatives and there is significant prospective scientific, educational, or clinical value to the research, and will not use any techniques that can be reasonably expected to cause harm. 9. Prior to conducting research with students, counselors shall carefully follow ethical standards, including requirements regarding participant, supervisee, and client confidentiality and multiple relationships. 10. Counselors shall comply with applicable guidelines when designing, conducting, or reporting research, including those of the relevant institutional review board. Distance Services Through Technology The Board of Directors for NBCC addressed the potential impact of computers on the counseling profession beginning in 1997. The NBCC adopted the Standards for the Ethical Practice of Web Counseling, which was the first time a national association in the mental health profession had addressed standards in this critical area. Technology is constantly changing, so the NBCC Board of Directors continues to review and revise the standards and policies. The Board approved the current revision in 2023 to guide the practice of online counseling. The entire document should be reviewed at the NBCC website before proceeding with distance services. The NBCC 2023 revised Code of Ethics continues as follows:
11. Counselors shall credit the work of contributors, including students who have contributed to research or publication either by joint authorship, acknowledgment, or other appropriate means. 12. Counselors shall comply with intellectual property laws and accepted publication guidelines. Counselor Education Competence. 1. Counselor educators shall stay current with, and be well informed about, counseling-related professional issues and developments. 2. Counselor educators shall engage in teaching and student supervision activities only with respect to their areas of professional knowledge and competence. 3. Counselor educators shall ensure that all teaching activities are based on current research and evidence- based practices. 4. Counselors who are counselor educators shall maintain professional licensure and/or certification consistent with their practice and teaching activities, including specialization areas, such as school, clinical mental health, rehabilitation counseling. 5. Counselors who are counselor educators shall maintain competency in the delivery models and tools they use for teaching, supervision, and research. a. Multiple Relationships: i. Counselor educators shall avoid non-academic relationships with counseling students during the student’s participation in the educator’s training program. ii. Counselor educators shall not engage in intimate Gatekeeping Counselor educators shall serve as professional gatekeepers and assume responsibilities related to the evaluation of their students’ professional behaviors and dispositions. Counselor educators shall establish clear, written behavioral and dispositional expectations for students, including student remediation. Advocacy Counselor educators shall advocate for counseling students to address programmatic barriers and obstacles that hinder student academic growth and development. Cultural Identity Counselor educators will practice cultural responsiveness in their teaching, and respect the cultural identity, values, sexual orientation, and gender identity, of their students. Telemental Health 1. Counselors shall provide only those telemental health services for which they are qualified by education and experience. 2. Counselors shall carefully adhere to legal requirements when providing telemental health services. This requirement includes legal regulations from the State(s) in which the counselor and client are located and document relevant State requirements in the relevant client record(s). 3. Counselors shall ensure that the electronic means used in providing telemental health services are following current Federal and State laws and regulatory standards concerning telemental health service. or sexual relationships with current students or individuals who were students enrolled in the counselor’s program within the past five (5) years. Prohibited sexual or romantic intimacy engagements include physical contact and electronic interactions.
Page 13
Book Code: PCUS1525
EliteLearning.com/Counselor
Powered by FlippingBook