Ethical Codes: American Counseling Association (APA)

1681 Words4 Pages

Application of Ethical Codes
The philosophies of the two organizations, American Counseling Association (ACA) and American Psychological Association (APA) are based on ethical codes that can protect and promotes the wellbeing of patients and protects psychotherapists from professional self-interests. Professional standards written by ACA and APA will hold psychotherapists accountable including, persons of influence, like the ethics committees, state licensing boards, civil and criminal courts (Pope and Vasquez, 1991). Conflicts of interest can impair and hinder effectiveness of performance with psychotherapists, including, over stepping boundaries and exploitation of therapeutic relationships (APA, 2017). APA (2017) states that exploitation …show more content…

The reorganization of the APA was effective in 1945 with deliberations of the National Research Council (NRC) The American Association for Applied Psychology (AAAP) was a major force in representing the national psychology in created ethical codes (APA, Division Officer Handbook, 2017). The committee, with the guidance of NRC and APA-AAAP developed and created the Ethical Principles of Psychologist and the Code of conduct (APA, 2017). This document was created because there was a need for psychologists to have a documentation when there were taking more public and professional role (APA, Division Officers Handbook, 2017). The committee wrote the Ethics Code, which included an introduction, preamble and five inspiring principles that were enforceable by standards of ten documented guide for ethical decisions regarding research, education and treatment (APA, Division Officers Handbook, 2017). The Ethics Code was to provide psychologists a guide for different situations and themes and help them make ethical …show more content…

APA specifies different principles to promote competence, integrity, respect, concern and social responsibility (Pope and Vasquez, 1991). The Ethics code to practice is known by psychotherapists which clearly states that there is an obligation to uphold and maintain their competency. Psychotherapists are required to have a careful sense of balance with disclosure and it is their ethical obligation to protect the client’s confidentiality. There are times where difficulties arise and standards are not clear when practice can emerge in other areas and how one competencies is related to another (Gonsalvez, 2014). The Code of Ethics is a tool that can be used in the ACA and APA to provide members with compliance and ethical standards in the duration of their careers. APA ethical standard number 4: (2017) Privacy and confidentiality proclaims that psychologists have an obligation to respect the privacy of clients and to take precautions to protect confidential information including self and any stored records. Ethical decision are not always black or white there are grey areas like in the case. Kitchener (1984) acclaims if the decision is based on morals and when justification fails there could be reasoning to evaluate decision making process that may be

Show More
Related

  • AAMFT Code Of Ethics Case Study

    1050 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many counselors enter into the profession because they are interested in helping individuals and have the desire to enhance human development. Though counselors are guided in culture from their own values and beliefs they have about living, ethics supersedes morality. Ethics are rooted in philosophy and are created by professional associations in order to govern those members of the profession. In the field of counseling there are two individual agencies, American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), that both have several similarities and differences within each specific codes of ethics.

    Read More

  • AMHCA Ethical Codes

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    Understanding the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) ethical codes is an important aspect of developing one’s professional identity as a mental health counselor. More specifically, in order for a counselor to be professionally competent and ensure he/she is able to uphold ethical boundaries, it is essential that one becomes familiar with the codes. Furthermore, both ethical codes share a multitude of similarities as well as differences, including that the AMHCA code of ethics profoundly draws from the ACA code of ethics. However, it is important to note that the AMHCA code presents ethical criteria geared specifically towards mental health counselors whereas the ACA code

    Read More

  • Lying on the Couch By Irvin Yalom

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    American Counseling Association (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. - See more at: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics#sthash.13ImD8Lb.dpuf

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Forensic Psychology

    1540 Words  | 4 Pages

    Having a positive approach helps psychologists clarify what they value, contemplate how they must behave, and decide what institutes suitable professional demeanor. The significance of positive ethics supports psychologists and allows them to reach their utmost ethical principles instead of violating the rules. The American Psychological Association are the top procedures to monitor to help stay within the ethical guidelines which has recently had revisions in the year two thousand two. There are a number of ethical codes to consider as a forensic psychologist cannot have the unawareness of particular psychological information, absence of specific preparation in forensic, presumptuous the lawyer will offer the expert with the essential legal ethical and professional evidence, assuming diverse jurisdictions are comparable in laws, how the laws are applied and failure to recognize the sole matters related with privacy and privileged communications for the work in the forensic

    Read More

  • Exploring Professional Competence and Ethical Boundaries

    1512 Words  | 4 Pages

    Fisher, C. B. (2013). Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists, 3rd Edition. [MBS Direct].

    Read More

  • The National Assocation of Social Workers Code of Ethics

    955 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Code of Ethics is an important part of a Social Workers career, by giving them basic guidelines, principles, standards, and values/morals for which they should follow. By following these guidelines a Social Worker can keep their work at a professional level and learn to keep work out of a personal level. This Code of Ethics has been set forth by the National Association of Social Workers, and is mandated in the field of practice (NASW, 2008).

    Read More

  • Unethical Behavior by a Mental Health Counselor

    594 Words  | 2 Pages

    Koocher, G. P., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (2008). Ethics in psychology and the mental health professions: Standards and cases (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press

    Read More

  • Ethical Issues In Counseling

    1132 Words  | 3 Pages

    A counselor should always keep their thoughts to themselves and remain open-minded about the situation. The only time a counselor should share their thoughts is if it helps the client with their situation that they are dealing with. “Counselors must practice only within the boundaries of their competence (Standard C.2.a.), and, if they “determine an inability to be of professional assistance to clients” (Standard A.11.b.), they should facilitate a referral to another provider. (Kocet, M. M., & Herlihy, B. J. (2014). Addressing Value-Based Conflicts Within the Counseling Relationship: A Decision-Making Model. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 92(2), 180-186 7p. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00146.x).” Keeping your thoughts to yourself is

    Read More

  • Counseling: Ethical Issues

    1774 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ethical issues in a counseling practice lay the foundation of a therapist in practice. Ethics are at the center of how the counseling process functions and operates in a successful manner for the clients who seek help in such a setting. In order for the counseling profession to be ethical and hold professional recognition, there are many facets that need to be examined and outlined to make sure all counselors and practitioners are functioning at the highest level and withholding their duties required by the counseling profession. The first introduction so to speak of the area of ethics also happens to be one of the first steps in counseling, which is the informed consent. The informed consent provides the basis of what happens or will be happening in a counseling setting and serves to inform the client to their rights, responsibilities, and what to expect. Most importantly, the informed consent is in place for the client’s benefit. It also is important to understand that culture and environment play a role in the treatment of a client and how theories can positively or negatively impact this treatment. Therapists need to understand how to work within the context of a theory while being able to understand the individual in their own environment. Although theories are put into place to serve as a framework, there are also alternative ways to approach counseling, one example being evidence-based practice. Such an approach is very specific, which presents a series of solutions for counseling as a whole, but also brings forth many problems. Every approach or theory introduces ethical concerns that need to be taken into consideration by the entire counseling community and how each can positively and negatively affect clients and the pr...

    Read More

  • Boundaries and Ethics in a Counseling Relationship

    2216 Words  | 5 Pages

    Ethics in the counselling and psychotherapy protects the client and the therapist involved in the therapeutic relationship and the therapeutic process as a whole; with the concepts that act as a guide for the therapists in provision of good practice and care for the client. The framework is built on values of counselling and psychotherapy; principles of trustworthiness, autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence and self-respect, and provides standards of good practice and care for the practitioner (BACP, 2010). Ethical framework contributes to the development of the therapeutic relationship and process by assisting therapist’s decisions, and guides their behaviour and proceedings within their legal rights and duties. The ethical frame is structured on the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship and the therapists should be aware of their categories and be responsible for their forms. Monitoring and being aware of what goes on in and out of the room physically, emotionally and psychologically is primarily the duty of the therapist.

    Read More

  • Counseling Ethics Case Study

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the case study of Gwen, there is one major problem presented. That problem is whether it is ethical for a supervisor to counsel his supervisee. I think that Gwen is going through the grieving process after learning about her mother’s condition and is in a vulnerable spot. She feels like she cannot continue her work with hospice patients because of personal feelings. Ken thinks that Gwen is a great therapist and does not want to see her give up. He also feels like he would be the most effective person to give Gwen counseling, because of their trusting relationship. I think that this would be a bad idea and could cross professional boundaries. The Ethical Guidelines for Counseling Supervisors strongly suggest against a supervisor entering in a psychotherapeutic relationship with supervisees. It is important to limit the possibilities of a dual relationship. Dual relationships can easily become unethical and present problems or possible harm to the client, which in this case is the supervisee. They can also create dependency or have unfavorable symbolic meanings. I also do not think it was a good idea that the counseling happened in the supervision sessions. This time should be spent on improving knowledge and helping clients. Spending most of the supervisor sessions working on personal problems could potentially harm the progress and well-being of the supervisee’s clients. My reaction to Ken blending the roles of supervisor and counselor is that it was not a good, professional, decision. He has entered a dual relationship with Gwen that could potentially cause harm to her or create a conflict of interest. Since Ken is Gwen’s supervisor, he has more power over the relationship than Gwen does. This power can easily be abused by Ken...

    Read More

  • Ethical Decision-Making

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    In reality this process if far more complicated. As Kimmel (1991) points out, despite the existing set of ethical standards there are individual differences in ethical decision-making among psychologists that result from cultural and personal characteristics, interests, and values. Differences in sex, age, training, experience, as well as differences in the area and type of employment influence ethical evaluations made by individual psychologists. While these biosocial and professional factors can be recognized and the role that they play in dealing with ethical dilemmas can be acknowledged, there is not only

    Read More

  • Strengths And Weaknesses And Evaluate The APA Code Of Ethics Case Study

    1828 Words  | 4 Pages

    The primary weakness of the APA is that it only applies to professional conduct and not private life. According to Pipes, Holstein, and Aguirre (2005), "APA codes apply within their role as psychologists...they may, with impunity from the Code, demean individuals of a particular gender or a particular religion with whom they interact only on a personal basis" (p. 326). While the APA has enforceable standards, the preamble and general principles are aspirational and seek to create individuals whose professional character will successfully integrate into their personal lives. For example, Jenny 's consultation with Rhonda went from a professional consultation to a gossip session on other issues within organization; when they failed "to guard against personal, financial, social, organizational or political factors" (APA, 2010) that might influence their ability to objectively resolve the present ethical dilemma. While the APA provide ethical principles and a professional code of conduct provide a foundation for resolving ethical dilemmas, it is not exhaustive and individuals should seek and use other models to help them resolve their ethical dilemmas, such as the eight-step decision

    Read More

  • A Case Study of Ethics in Psychology

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    American Psychiatric Association. (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychological Association (APA), Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

    Read More

  • Five General Principles Of Apa Ethical Principles

    688 Words  | 2 Pages

    There five general principles of APA Ethical Principles; First principle is (a): Beneficence and Nonmaleficence, where a psychologist job is to protect those whom they serve and work with. A psychologist is responsible to protect the welfare and rights and safeguard those who they serve. They also protect other affected persons as well as the welfare of animal subjects to research. It is important that psychologists know that deception in a research can affect the public negatively, and this could be surface via social media and other organization in a negative way. These are issues that psychologist should be aware of as this could affect their own mental health and their ability to help the public.

    Read More

More about Ethical Codes: American Counseling Association (APA)

Open Document