Preview

Comparing the Aca and Aacc Code of Ethics

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1391 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Comparing the Aca and Aacc Code of Ethics
A Comparison of the ACA and AACC Code of Ethics
Liberty University

Abstract
Many professions have their own either written or understood code of ethics. This holds true for the profession of counseling, including the Christian sector of counseling. The American Counseling Association along with the American Association of Christian counselors both published codes of ethics for the licensed professionals in this particular field. Their specific ethics provide counselors with a guideline of how to correctly and ethically serve their clients. Some of the ethics described in these documents are: confidentiality, informed consent, and discrimination, healthy relationships with clients, laws and regulations, along with other specific duties to the clients and to the profession itself. These detailed standards are set in place to uphold the integrity of the counseling profession and ensure that clients are cared for in the most appropriate manner. This paper compares the two codes of ethics, pointing out specifically the similarities and differences the following topics: competence, fees, and personal problems of counselors.

A Comparison of the ACA and AACC Code of Ethics
Ethics are principals adopted by a group or individual “to provide rules for right conduct” (Corey, Corey, and Callanan, 2007, pg. 14). They “pertain to the beliefs we hold about what constitutes what is right” (Corey, et al, 2007, pg. 14). The American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counseling (AACC) have both published a code of ethics for the counseling professionals. Though similar in fashion, there are some differences that are noticeable. For some, it may be unimportant that the two codes are dissimilar, but it is important to know the differences between the two in order to be a successful Christian counselor. The two ethics codes describe the duties to clients and to the profession. The following will show general comparisons between the ACA and



References: AACC Code of Ethics (2004) American Association of Christian Counselors. Retrieved October 31, 2012 from http://www.aacc.net/about-us/coe-of-ethics/ ACA Code of Ethics (2005) American Counseling Association. Retrieved October 31, 2012 from http://www.counseling.org/Resources/CodeofEthics/TP/Home/CT2.aspx Corey, G., Schneider-Corey, M., & Callanan, P. (2011). Issues and ethics in the helping professions, 8th ed. Belmont, Ca: Brooks/Cole.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In reading both codes you can see how different but yet alike they are, although one is from the Christian aspect and the other from a world view. According to Ralph Bass, Christian counseling has been a part of the work of ministry since the origin of the church. When people were sick they looked to the church for help, they were thought of as touched by the Gods and were given potions for their madness to cure them or driven from the community depending on the type of illness. Sigmund Freud was one of the most famous people to come out of the age where psychiatry was thought to have nothing to do with Christianity and that Christianity was not the answer to all problems, Sigmund felt that our problems came from our ‘Parents” failures. This was the beginning of the separation of the American Association for Christian Counseling and The American Counseling Association.…

    • 1067 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The NIAAA code of ethics can be very beneficial to an athletic director. With how things are in sports right now, with all the scandals and inappropriate behavior nationwide. It is very important to having some sort of universal rules to go by. The code of ethics put into place, so that athletic directors no how they are to act and what is expected of them. If there wasn't a national code of ethics, you would have AA’s handling the same situations differently.…

    • 374 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This paper will attempt to compare the similarities and differences in the ethics codes of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). In addition to the discussion of general similarities and differences of the two codes of ethics, the paper will also will also compare and contrast the following three areas of counseling in depth: confidentiality, sexual intimacies, and research and publication. While both codes of ethics have guidelines for each of these topics that are similar in scope, they also vary from one another on the specific details. Each of the codes of ethics keeps the client in mind and wants to ensure the best quality of care, but outlines how that care should be administered a little differently between the two.…

    • 1767 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The field of professional counseling provides for occasions for the counselor to make decisions based on professional ethics. Ethics can be commonly derived from one’s own values. In order to create a more consistent standard codes of ethics have been published. Two of these publications will be used in this paper: 1) American Counseling Association (ACA): Code of Ethics (2005), 2) American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC): Code of Ethics (2004). Whereas these organizations are based on different ideals, a general comparison will be made. Inasmuch as revisions are ongoing, this paper will review several that were revised in the latest publication, as highlighted in the article New Mandates and Imperatives in the Revised ACA Code of Ethics. (2009)…

    • 1591 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The code of ethics which reverberated within my mind was the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics. ACA goes into more depth about principles that new up and coming counselors and professional should focus on. ACA emphasizes on the cultural context of making ethical decisions. It is important that counselors increase conscious ways to apply ethical standards from a perspective that recognizes and respects diversity, because we work in a pluralistic world (ACA, 2006).…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American Counseling Association and The American Mental Health Counseling Association adhere to the same code of ethics (Linde, 2010). The purpose of the code of ethics is to address the responsibilities of the people the counselor is involved with professionally (2010). This could be clients, patients, co-workers, other professionals, and other observers that know we are counselors (2010). We must monitor our behaviors by placing ethical standards on our behaviors.…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Counseling Case

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Remely Jr., Theodore and Herlihy, Barbara. (2010). Ethical, legal and professional issues in counseling. Retrieved on January 27, 2013 from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/pearson/2010/ethical-legal-and-professional-issues-in-counseling_ebook_3e.php…

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    AASW Code Of Ethics

    • 221 Words
    • 1 Page

    My understanding of how the AASW Code of Ethics (2010), impacts and guides practice has significantly developed from my experiences and observations throughout my final placement.…

    • 221 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: 2005 ACA Code of Ethics Wheeler, A.M. & Bertram, B. (2008). The counselor and the law: a guide to legal and ethical Practice (5thed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association…

    • 1175 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The American Counseling Association (ACA) is an extremely important part in setting ethical standards for professionals practicing counseling. The organization code of ethic is designated to govern the behavior of individuals available within the organization or an institution. The organization focuses on counseling ensuring that behavior are ethical and acceptable both to the organization and to the public. The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) code of ethics is used for a specific purpose to provide Christian Counselors with leadership and influence community for counselors of their Christian worldview based on ethical codes primarily on biblical principles in their profession. Although, there is some similarity between the two codes both of the codes contain a mission statement that provides an explanation of why the code of ethic is designed. The American Counseling Association (ACA) and American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) composed values based on ethical and legal requirements of a counselor. These three elements share some similarities and contrast in areas of competence, confidentiality and discrimination. This paper will address the codes of ethics as by the American Counseling Association and The American Association of Christian Counselors.…

    • 1185 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Larry Crabb ‘s perspective on the goal of Christian counseling is to help people mature and worship God with a freedom to serve Him as well as to equip them with the knowledge of how to become more like Him (Crabb, 1977). Both Larry Crabb (1977) in Effective Biblical Counseling and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics are in agreement stating that great care and concern should be used when making a diagnosis of a mental disorder (ACA, 2006). Both agree that looking at the individual, his history, environment and other precursors will benefit the counselor when being approached by the counselee to help solve unwanted behaviors, beliefs, ideas and thoughts. Crabb (2003) and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA, 2006) are also in agreement with regards to the importance of being prudent in choosing and utilizing the appropriate assessment process, as well as being cautious when the interpretation of any test is required. Crabb emphasizes this by recommending that troubled counselees be referred to appropriate, capable counselors. However, a concern, to the biblical counselor would be the code referenced in the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA, 2006.) This section is titled…

    • 1841 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Due to the changing demographics of society and cultural changes, counselors must be diligent in preparing themselves to be diversely competent. Competence is the ethical challenge at hand. Research suggests that the past and current versions of the ACA Code of Ethics do not adequately address the demands of working with non-white, non-western clients. Past versions of the ACA Code of Ethics paid little attention to the presenting multicultural issues of counseling. The difference between the 1988 and 1995 code is an indicator of the movement of the profession and the changes in values held by many in the profession. Recent revision efforts of the ACA Code of Ethics have given special consideration to culture to serve as guidelines for counselors. Kocet (2004) believes the revisions of the 1995 Code of Ethics could lead to a new focus in the counselor relationship that encourages interaction with clients that occurs both in clinical and non-clinical settings. Given the constant revision considerations it is important that education and…

    • 1866 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American Counseling Association provides a Code of Ethics (2014) that clearly establishes a set of ethical obligations that ACA members must follow. The Code also guides professional counselors and counselors-in-training to ethical practices and strengthens professional counselor identity. Through this Code, the ACA clarifies its current and prospective members’ ethical responsibilities and informs those who are served by the ACA members. ACA members using the Code’s ethical decision-making guide develop ethical courses of action when faced with dilemmas.…

    • 1773 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Confidentiality and Minors

    • 2585 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Rehmley, T.P., & Herlihy, B. (2010). Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling. Merrill; New York.…

    • 2585 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    A Comparison of the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics…

    • 1669 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays

Related Topics