___________________________________ Code of Ethics for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists
Today, there are more than 69,000 National Certified Coun- selors (NCCs) in more than 40 countries. These counselors volunteer to obtain certification through a rigorous program to achieve national standards, set by the profession, based on research, written dissertations, and examinations. Certified NCCs are encouraged to mentor other counselors to improve their practice and obtain certification as an NCC. NCCs may be members of associations such as ACA and AAMFT, depend- ing on their area of expertise. FOUNDATIONS AND SHARED BELIEFS Trust appears to be the common thread throughout ethical counseling and marriage and family therapy practice. Thera- pists, patients, and students view trust as fundamental to psychotherapy [6]. One shared belief among therapists and counselors is that professionals must do the right thing and make ethical deci- sions that are in the best interest of the client. The counselor–client relationship impacts ethical decision making and must consider the cultural context of the profes- sional relationship along with ethical principles. The structure of common therapeutic relationship factors includes confi- dence in the therapist and confidence in the treatment plan, which is built on trust [7]. Confidentiality is essential in developing an effective relation- ship between mental health practitioners and their clients. Research supports the ethical principle in counseling and therapy that asserts effective practice is based on trust and confidentiality between the practitioner and client. The client may approach a counselor or therapist feeling vulnerable and seeking assistance in times of crisis. The client may be fearful, ashamed, or unwilling to share feelings at first. If the client believes that the information shared will be kept confidential, there is a greater possibility of developing an effective collab- orative relationship with the therapist and a positive outcome for the client. Over the last decade, ethical issues faced by counselors have received increased attention in counseling literature, and no area of study is more important in the practice of counseling [8]. Counselors are often confronted with situations that require sound ethical decision-making. Determining the appropriate course of action when faced with difficult ethi- cal conflicts can be challenging and should never be done in isolation. Codes of conduct are designed to protect clients and soci- ety. Counselors and therapists encounter ethical issues and challenges that require complex decisions, and they must be familiar with the ethical codes for their association. They must know what areas and issues are problematic to avoid potential risks of ethical violations that may harm clients and families.
Ethics in counseling and therapy focuses on ideals rather than obligatory rules. It emphasizes professionals’ character and their relationships with their clients. The study of ethics is more than solving a specific ethical or legal dilemma. Although ethics codes speak to many issues, the counselor must recognize that codes are broad and do not cover every ethical issue faced by counselors and therapists. The professional’s ethical aware- ness, behavior, and problem-solving skills will determine how they translate and apply these general guidelines to professional practice. Ethics codes do not provide explicit instructions for every possible situation. CLIENT FOCUS Counselors and therapists must be aware that their focus on their clients’ welfare takes precedence over their own. Prac- titioners must understand their own needs, as well as their potential for imposing personal values and biases that may impact service to clients. Professionals have a responsibility to continually expand self-awareness and recognize areas of biases, prejudices, and vulnerabilities. RIGHT OF INFORMED CONSENT Informed consent is an ethical and legal requirement and an integral part of any counseling plan and therapeutic process. Providing clients with information they need to make informed choices promotes the active participation of clients and fami- lies in the counseling plan and is critical to achieve a positive outcome. Informed consent educates clients about their rights and responsibilities and builds empowerment for a trusting, collaborative relationship with the therapist or counselor. Informed consent is not a single form or procedure and must be revisited throughout the counseling/therapeutic process whenever changes or new components are introduced. CONFIDENTIALITY Confidentiality is a standard of conduct that prevents the professional from disclosing information concerning clients. State and federal statutes, administrative codes, regulations, and case law interpret rulings by the court and include com- ponents of confidentiality. Confidentiality is fundamental to the counseling and therapeutic relationship, and professionals must not disclose client information without prior consent. The ethics codes, as well as state and federal laws, provide some exceptions to confidentiality standards that will be discussed. Confidentiality is based on our society’s belief that individuals have a right to privacy and to decide what information they will share and with whom. Confidentiality is an ethical prin- ciple that holds the practitioner responsible for respecting the client’s privacy and protecting information disclosed during therapy. Both the Code of Ethics and the HIPAA Privacy Rule provide explicit, detailed provisions that cover client consent for disclosure of information and which entities can receive information. Privileged communication, resulting from a therapy or counseling session, is a legal concept that protects the client from having confidential information disclosed without their consent.
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