Code of Ethics for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists __________________________________
• Counselors, who make public statements inconsistent with this code or other professional counseling standards, shall state that their opinions represent their personal views. • Counselors providing professional counseling presentations shall ensure that the content is consistent with this code of ethics. Counseling Relationships • Counselors shall take proactive measures to avoid harming their clients, avoid imposing personal values on those who receive their professional services, seek to minimize unavoidable or unanticipated harm, and address unintentional harm. • Counselors shall respect each client’s privacy and shall solicit only information that contributes to the identified counseling goals or facilitates the counseling process and is also consistent with counseling protocols. • 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. • Counselors generally shall not accept goods or services from clients in return for counseling services in recognition of the possible negative effects, including perceived exploitation. Counselors may accept goods or services only in cases where: no referrals are possible; the arrangement is discussed with the client in advance; they are of a reasonable equivalent value; they do not place the counselor in an unfair advantage; they are not harmful to the client and documented in the counseling services agreement. • Counselors shall not accept gifts from clients except in cases when it is culturally appropriate or therapeutically relevant and shall consider the value of the gift and the effect on the therapeutic relationship before accepting. • Counselors shall be mindful of engaging in counseling relationships with those individuals with whom another relationship, such as a community connection, friendship, or work relationship exists (i.e., multiple relationships). If a multiple relationship develops in an unforeseen manner, the counselor shall discuss the potential effects with the client, and take reasonable steps to resolve the situation, including termination and the provision of referrals.
• Counselors will exercise caution and avoid exploitation or the appearance of exploitation before entering into a non-counseling relationship with a former client. A period of 5 years is recommended, and counselors shall exercise caution and avoid exploitation of former clients. • Counselors will not engage in any form of sexual or romantic contact with a client or former client for at least 5 years following the date of counseling service termination. • Counselors will not engage in any type of harassing behavior towards clients, defined as any verbal, nonverbal, electronic, or physical act that is known, or reasonably understood, to be unwelcome or that reasonably would be perceived as harassment. • Counselors will take proactive measures to avoid interruptions of counseling services due to illness, vacations, or unforeseen circumstances. To prevent the harm that may occur if clients are unable to access professional assistance, identify other qualified professionals with whom the counselor has a working agreement or local emergency service agencies that can respond to a client in a mental health crisis. • Counselors shall protect against unauthorized access to confidential client information in all formats. Counselors will inform and ensure all other persons with access to confidential information will observe confidentiality procedures and protocols. • Counselors shall create and follow written procedures regarding client confidentiality rules and the handling of client records in the event of the counselor’s death, incapacitation, unforeseen and lengthy interruption of services, and end of employment. • Counselors shall discuss with prospective clients and document the appropriateness of counseling services offered. If there is cause to believe a client will not benefit from counseling services, counselors will explore alternative forms of treatment and/or discuss and/or facilitate a referral to another provider. • Counselors working independently will retain and protect client records as directed by State or Federal law. • Counselors shall make efforts to inform clients and former clients of the court-ordered release of confidential client information prior to such release in a prompt and timely manner. The counselor may request that a court withdraw any order to release confidential information, due to the potential harm to the client or the counseling relationship, and release only that information required by the court or agency and document the release. • Counselors shall inform clients of the purposes, goals, procedures, limitations, and potential risks and benefits of services and techniques either prior to
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