Ethics_Code_Analysis

Running head: CONTRAST AND COMPARISON OF THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS Contrast and Comparison of the Code of Ethics for the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors Andrea B. Flood Liberty University Abstract Counseling associations, such as the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors, maintain a strict Code of Ethics by which counselors are expected to abide. The Code for each association varies somewhat on topics such as discrimination, harassment, refusal of treatment, and continuing education. In matters that are straight-forward, such as continuing education, these two associations have similar written policies. More complex matters such as those relating to discrimination and harassment contain more variations and differences. The similarities and differences in each association’s Code of Ethics are explored in this paper and described in further detail. Introduction to the Code of Ethics This paper will compare and contrast three aspects of the Code of Ethics for the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). The creation and maintenance of a written Code of Ethics is an important standard among counseling services and providers. The Code of Ethics outlines procedures and protocols for dealing with situations that arise in the counseling environment. The intention of the Code is to demonstrate how counseling professionals may respond to these situations in a legal, moral, and ethical manner. Each counseling organization has a code of ethics that is unique. The Code for the ACA is described as being a model by which new and existing counselors may refer to for help in resolving ethical dilemmas and is designed to provide members with the framework to construct “a professional course of action that best serves those utilizing counseling services” (American Counseling Association, 2005, p. 3). The AACC has spent more than 10 years perfecting the organization’s Code of Ethics and this Code has been adopted in more than two dozen countries around the world (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2004). Discrimination and Harassment In the United States there are laws which seek to prevent discrimination in any form. Discriminating behaviors may involve people of any gender, age, ethnicity, or sexual preference. A byproduct of discrimination is often referred to as being harassment. Harassment is a crime that may result in a gross misdemeanor or even a felony if proven in a court of law. Harassment can take many different forms although one common component is that the harasser intends for the behavior they are engaging in to produce feelings of fear or intimidation in the person they are targeting. The ACA maintains a nondiscrimination policy that states that discrimination based on any number of factors is not an acceptable behavior. The Code of Ethics specifies which groups of people are not to be discriminated against, but provides limited information on the actions that would be deemed by the Code as being discriminatory. The concept of discrimination is somewhat subjective. The Code of Ethics for ACA does not indicate that employees must have a basic understanding of what behaviors constitute discrimination. The Code of Ethics segues into a description of harassment and specifically defines sexual harassment (American Counseling Association, 2005). The Code of Ethics for the AACC discusses the matter of discrimination and requires that “Christian counselors avoid every manner of harm, exploitation, and unjust discrimination in all client congregant relations” (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2004, p. 6). The AACC goes a step further than the ACA and delineates what it means for counselors to avoid harm, exploitation, and unjust discrimination in every day practices. Any behaviors or practices that may be perceived as possibly causing harm to another person are forbidden. One aspect of the AACC Code that differs from the ACA is the acknowledgement of client conflicts. The Code explains that client conflicts cannot always be avoided and that certain types of conflict are an important part of the counseling process. Counselors are required to abide by the Code of Ethics when it comes to responding to these conflicts and each counselor must exercise self-control. In the event that counselors are unable to avoid doing harm to a client the counselor is instructed to terminate the counseling relationship. At the time the relationship is terminated the counselor must also make a referral to ensure that the client’s best interests are taken into account despite the conflict. Another difference between the AACA Code of Ethics and the ACA is the guideline for taking appropriate action against other counselors who engage in harmful behaviors. Counselors of the AACA are advised to report this behavior immediately so as to avoid any further harm to the clients. The AACA makes it clear throughout the written Code of Ethics that clients are treated as a priority and that discriminatory or harassing behavior will not be tolerated by any members of the association. The AACA is more descriptive in their policies and guidelines warning against discriminating and harassing behaviors toward clients. Both associations address these matters, but the AACA clarifies what it means to refuse to take part in harmful and discriminatory actions. The AACA is much more specific in describing what counselors should do if they are in a situation where they do not feel they have the ability to continue with counseling without causing harm to their client. The Code also defines what members of the association must do if they witness others engaging in these behaviors. The ACA does not expound on either of these matters and addresses discrimination in a simple manner. This writer feels that the danger of such simplicity is that it does not provide members with enough knowledge on how to deal with unavoidable conflicts, nor does it encourage members to report such behavior if it is witnessed. Refusal of Treatment The AACA describes situations where a counselor may refuse treatment to a client. As described above, if a counselor does not feel they have the ability to provide clients with treatment devoid of discrimination, harm, exploitation, or harassment the counselor is encouraged to terminate the relationship. The caveat is that the counselor must go through the proper referral procedure so that the client is not left without proper treatment. Clients may not be refused for treatment for discriminatory purposes. According to the AACA, if a counselor is unable to provide a client with the help the client needs the counselor must refer the client to someone else qualified to help them. AACA are forbidden from abandoning clients or terminating clients without ethical consideration and discussion of termination with clients. Termination is only appropriate in situations where clients are not benefiting from therapy, where the client’s goals have been achieved, or in situations where the client is being harmed. The Code of Ethics for the ACA does not allow for the refusal of treatment for discriminatory reasons. Counselors are required to explain to clients the need for personal information. Once that information is obtained it may not be used for the purpose of refusing treatment. Pertinent information is used to diagnose and treat a client and must be safeguarded. Counselors are expected to obtain informed consent in situations where their role within the professional relationship changes. If the counselor’s role changes in such a way that the counselor may no longer render the services needed by the client, informed consent must be obtained and the client must be notified of their rights. Such changes might include counselors changing from the role of individual counseling to family counseling, a change from a counselor role to that of a researcher, and many others. The ACA specifies that counselors who are unable to provide professional assistance to clients not enter into a counseling relationship with the client. Counselors are encouraged to use the knowledge and resources they have to refer clients. In the event that a client declines suggestions for referral the counselor should cease continuation of the relationship. Though the AACA does not specify a protocol for terminating a counseling relationship, the ACA provides framework for accomplishing this. In situations where the counselor feels that the client will no longer benefit from therapy, no longer needs assistance, or is being harmed by the counseling provided, the counselor must take steps to terminate counseling. This step requires the counselor to provide the client with “pretermination counseling and recommend other service providers when necessary” (American Counseling Association, 2005, p. 6). Continuing Education The ACA and the AACA have similar views when it comes to continuing education. Each association maintains that counselors must make an effort to keep up to date when it comes to training and education. Continuing education is encouraged. Both associations believe that counselors should take proactive steps to gain skills and stay current on relevant information relating to counseling practices. Continuing education enhances a counselor’s ability to provide treatment to clients and is not discouraged by either the ACA or the AACA. Conclusion The ACA and the AACA have many similar policies relating to discrimination, harassment, refusal of treatment, and continuing education. The AACA offers more detail about what behaviors constitute harassment. The AACA provides more information on necessary protocol. Both associations have based their respective policies and procedures on years of experience as well as laws by which counseling organizations must abide. References 2005 ACA code of ethics. (2005). Retrieved September 8, 2008 from American Counseling Association Web site: http://www.counseling.org/Resources/ CodeOfEthics/TP/ Home/CT2.aspx. AACC code of ethics. (2004). Retrieved September 8, 2008 from American Association of Christian Counselors Web site: http://www.aacc.net/about-us/code-of-ethics/.