Differences Between ACA And AACC: Ethical Codes
ACA and AACC: Ethics Codes Compared
Liberty University
Abstract
Codes of ethics are guidelines that are created to give various professions and organizations a structure in which to work within. Codes of ethics could be considered structured behavioral ideals for professional people to follow. And, for the purpose of this paper several ethical codes for counseling professionals from both the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors will be examined. The ACA and the AACC are specialized organizations that emphasize one’s duty as a professional counselor to every client. However, the two organizations base their standards on very different foundations. The ACA basis …show more content…
And, when professional counselors witness or become aware of ethical violation of a colleague then an intervention must take place, it is a professional counselor ethical obligation to intervene. The aforementioned fact is clear in the codes of ethics in the ACA and AACC. Both institution state that professional counselors seek consultation with another professional, approach the offending counselor about the violation and discuss the issue as long as confidentiality is not in jeopardy, and reporting the violation, if necessary. And, unfortunately sometimes a professional counselor must report ethical violation of a colleague to the proper authorities, although most professional would rather avoid having to report a colleague. The AACC states that a Christian counselor must have reliable proof and knowledge that an ethical violation or legal violation has taken place prior to any action or reporting of a colleague (AACC, Code of Ethics, 2004). The AACC also speaks to conflicts that can occur among professional counselors and how those conflicts should be resolved. The AACC says that “Christian counselors always first seek peaceable and biblically-defensible resolution to disputes” (AACC, Code of Ethics, 2004). On the other hand, the ACA also speaks to the issue of ethical or legal violations of colleagues by stating that it requires that professional counselors have a reasonable belief that a violation has taken place. The ACA also talks about the resolution of ethical conflict by stating that if a counselor thinks a colleague has violated ethical standards that he or she “attempt first to resolve the issue informally with the other counselor if feasible, provided such action does not violate confidentiality rights that may be involved” (ACA, Codes of Ethics, 2005). Of course, the obvious
Liberty University
Abstract
Codes of ethics are guidelines that are created to give various professions and organizations a structure in which to work within. Codes of ethics could be considered structured behavioral ideals for professional people to follow. And, for the purpose of this paper several ethical codes for counseling professionals from both the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Christian Counselors will be examined. The ACA and the AACC are specialized organizations that emphasize one’s duty as a professional counselor to every client. However, the two organizations base their standards on very different foundations. The ACA basis …show more content…
And, when professional counselors witness or become aware of ethical violation of a colleague then an intervention must take place, it is a professional counselor ethical obligation to intervene. The aforementioned fact is clear in the codes of ethics in the ACA and AACC. Both institution state that professional counselors seek consultation with another professional, approach the offending counselor about the violation and discuss the issue as long as confidentiality is not in jeopardy, and reporting the violation, if necessary. And, unfortunately sometimes a professional counselor must report ethical violation of a colleague to the proper authorities, although most professional would rather avoid having to report a colleague. The AACC states that a Christian counselor must have reliable proof and knowledge that an ethical violation or legal violation has taken place prior to any action or reporting of a colleague (AACC, Code of Ethics, 2004). The AACC also speaks to conflicts that can occur among professional counselors and how those conflicts should be resolved. The AACC says that “Christian counselors always first seek peaceable and biblically-defensible resolution to disputes” (AACC, Code of Ethics, 2004). On the other hand, the ACA also speaks to the issue of ethical or legal violations of colleagues by stating that it requires that professional counselors have a reasonable belief that a violation has taken place. The ACA also talks about the resolution of ethical conflict by stating that if a counselor thinks a colleague has violated ethical standards that he or she “attempt first to resolve the issue informally with the other counselor if feasible, provided such action does not violate confidentiality rights that may be involved” (ACA, Codes of Ethics, 2005). Of course, the obvious