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.…
Ethical concerns are present within this discussion. Garzon (2005) relates to the reader that one must acknowledge that within these interventions dual relationships occur, boundaries may be violated between church and state, an imposition of values and issues such as informed consent and competency of the counselor do arise. Ways to avoid these ethical pitfalls are to have a inclusive conformed consent, conduct assessments that clearly define the client's spiritual beliefs, and use the scripture interventions only with certain clients (Garzon). The religious background of both counselor and client must be positive to avoid negative outcomes such as guilt.…
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.…
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)…
When Jill expressed her confusion about her sexuality, Joe’s body language was a dead give- away that he was judging her. This, in itself, can add to Jill’s anxiety and depression. Joe should know, and understand, the ethical guidelines that he is governed by. When he imparted his religious views on Jill’s thoughts and lifestyle, he crossed the boundaries of ethical treatment. According to the ACA (American Counseling Association) Code of Ethics, counselors do not discriminate regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Also, within the APA (American Psychological Association) Ethical Principles, Principle E assures the clients that need treatment will receive the dignity and respect that they deserve regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Above all of this, Joe should discuss with Jill the referral process because of his religious beliefs, and the fact that he shouldn’t continue treating her if his beliefs and convictions are going to impede his ability to counsel and treat Jill fairly without judgment. The ACA Code of Ethics regulates counselors from imposing their personal and/or religious beliefs and values on their clients – which is exactly what Joe has done by telling Jill her thoughts are immoral and she should pray for forgiveness. “Clients might often press a counselor’s limits of comfort when discussing controversial topics. It is the counselor’s duty to keep an objective view while listening to the client’s interpretation of events. They have to put aside their own value systems and understand what the clients are going through” (Argosy, 2012).…
This report develops a set of ethical and identity guidelines for ministerial boundaries that are maintained through connection with others seeking soul care. The study establishes a biblical responsible vocational paradigm. Within this paper are resources and potential ministerial professional connections that provide licensing, certification, and accreditation for pastoral soul care. Moreover, a pre-counseling packet was placed in the appendices of this paper to assist in a future pastoral counseling profession.…
Throughout the first few pages of Margaret A. Farley’s book “A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics” she references the differences in understanding of sexual ethics between Ancient Greeks and today’s modern society. Farley tells us that although we are seemingly following the same set of Christian sexual ethics as the Ancient Greeks, our modern society has reconstituted these guidelines to meet several different frames and needs of understanding.…
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…
The ethics codes of the two following counseling associations share certain ethical responsibilities in common, while containing certain responsibilities unique to their organization. The two associations’ ethics codes that will be studied here are the American Counseling Association (ACA) 2005 Draft Code of Ethics and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) Code of Ethics-Y2004 Final Code.…
Cloud, Henry. 2004. 9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Love and Life. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.…
Different organizations are driven by specific sets of code of ethics, which are used to protect many different aspect of the organizations, specifically the client, counselor, and organization. Concerning the standards of a counselor, their ethics are not only provided by the laws of the state or their practice, but also outside sources who present basic values and regulations of ethical standards in their code of ethics. This paper will look at two specific associations: the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). The purpose of this paper is to discuss both the similarities as well as differences of these two organizations and their standards of ethics. While discussing the AACC and ACA organizations standards, this paper will also look at three specific areas which we chosen to compare and contrast: confidentiality, fees, and competence.…
Just as controversy and differences emerge constantly with regards to God and His place in society, it would be equaled in the realm of counseling. This paper will review the Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). When reviewing, it is the foundation of each association that prove to exemplify the most distinctive difference. The AACC seeks to honor Christ through counseling and provide guidance to the Christian counselor, while the ACA is committed to the general counselor at-large and enhancing the client’s life while remaining focused on a general view of society. There are several other general similarities and differences. Primarily, that the counselor should never cause harm to the client. Other similarities that center around the protection of the client reside in both codes. Several would include confidentiality, record keeping, informed consent and the duty to protect the client and others from physical harm. Although both codes provide guidelines regarding sexual intimacies, it is defined differently in the codes which changes the timelines of appropriateness for having a relationship with a client. This paper will analyze the differences and similarities in three areas: confidentiality, continuing education and sexual intimacies.…
References: Blais, K., Hayes, J., Kozier, B., & Erb, G. (2006). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and…
Berger, K. S. (2008). The developing person through the life span (7th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.…
When dealing with clients who face a crisis in sexual identity, the counsellor must maintain an open mindset and not form prejudices that might hinder the counsellor-client relationship. Mindset is a fixed disposition that predetermines an individual’s response to a situation. As a counsellor, one must be receptive to all views regardless of societal influences, especially on a contentious issue such as homosexuality. It is evident that both SAC and ACA code of ethics recognized diversity as their key point, hence, the counsellor are likely to prioritise the clients' views and emotional needs and not form pre-conceived notions of alternative lifestyles. Counsellors must realise the importance and thus maintain ethical professionalism, personal, and social relationships with their client (See F.3.a. Relationship Boundaries With Supervisees Counseling supervisors). On a similar note, SAC repeatedly emphasized on the competence and professionalism of every counsellor, that one should always respect the rights…