client permission, a related discussion with the client, documentation of potential risks and benefits, and a specific clinical purpose. Overview of the NBCC Ethical Complaint Process The NBCC developed a process to review alleged ethics violations by their NCCs and administer discipline if warranted. NCCs are bound by the decisions of NBCC. NCCs should have complete knowledge of these procedures and should visit the nbcc.org website to review the entire ethics section. The complaint process is very detailed, and for the purpose of this course, they are summarized as follows from the 2023 website on filing an ethics complaint (NBCC,2023c). If you wish to file a complaint against a National Certified Counselor (NCC), you may do so by completing an Ethics Complaint Statement, including all information required by the form, and submitting it to the NBCC Department of Ethics. The Ethics Complaint Statement is a formal written communication from a complainant describing in detail the concerns regarding an NBCC certificant or candidate and is the only form of complaint submission accepted. Overview of Complaint Procedures 1. The complainant (person filing the complaint) must complete an Ethics Complaint Statement, including all information required by the form, and email it to the NBCC Department of Ethics at ethics@nbcc.org. 2. When a completed Ethics Complaint Statement is received by NBCC, the NBCC Director of Ethics will (a) review the material received and assign a case number to the matter; (b) review the complaint(s) made; (c) determine whether the complaint(s) is presented in sufficient detail to permit NBCC to conduct a preliminary inquiry; and, if necessary, (d) contact the complainant and request additional factual material. 3. The NBCC Director of Ethics will send a letter to the complainant and respondent stating whether the complaint(s) submitted is accepted or rejected for a formal ethics review.
114.Counselors shall avoid non-professional relationships with clients online. This restriction includes connecting with or following client social media accounts.
4. If an ethics complaint is accepted for a formal inquiry, the NBCC Director of Ethics will issue an Ethics Complaint Summary identifying each term that may have been violated and the basis for each. This notification will be delivered to the respondent and the complainant at the last known address(es) by regular mail, email, or other verifiable delivery service. 5. Within 30 days of the mailing date of an Ethics Complaint Summary, the respondent must submit an Ethics Complaint Response according to the instructions in the Summary. The Ethics Complaint Response must include the following: (a) a full answer to each item identified in the Ethics Complaint Summary, (b) the identification and a copy of each document that the respondent believes to be relevant to the resolution of the ethics complaint, and (c) any other information that the respondent believes will assist NBCC in considering the ethics complaint fairly. 6. The NBCC Director of Ethics will forward a copy of the submitted Ethics Complaint Response to the complainant within approximately 10 days following its receipt by NBCC. The complainant may submit a Reply to the Response by letter or similar document within 14 days of the complainant’s receipt of the Response. If submitted, this Reply must fully explain any additional information that the complainant wishes to present to the Director of Ethics concerning the Ethics Complaint Response. The optional Reply will be provided to the respondent, who may submit a Final Response to NBCC within 14 days of the respondent’s receipt of the Reply. 7. For questions about the complaint process and to submit a completed Ethics Complaint Statement, email ethics@nbcc.org.
A SUMMARY OF THE ACA CODE OF ETHICS
Members are committed to serve all clients and recognize and appreciate multicultural diversity. They work across cultures with the goal of increasing opportunities to maximize the potential in all people. The code was not written to mandate how the counselor will practice; rather, it serves as a guide for professional behavior and ethical ACA Code of Ethics Preamble The American Counseling Association (ACA) is an educational, scientific, and professional organization whose members work in a variety of settings and serve in multiple capacities. Counseling is a professional relationship that Mission The mission of the American Counseling Association is to enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the Core Values The following are core professional values of the counseling profession according to the ACA, and are detailed in the Code of Ethics: 1. Enhance human development throughout the life span. 2. Honor diversity and embrace a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts.
practice based on their commitment, values, and dedication to ethical counseling. The 2014 revision, the most current one, will be summarized in this section. The complete ACA Code of Ethics should be studied and can be found at ethics.pdfwww.counseling.org/ resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.
empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.
counseling profession, and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity (ACA, 2014).
3. Promote social justice. 4. Safeguard the integrity of the counselor-client relationship. 5. Practice in a competent and ethical manner.
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Book Code: PCUS1525
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