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
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.