BHS330 Benchmark-Comparative Analysis-Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice PDF

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1 Benchmark - Comparative Analysis: Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

Benchmark - Comparative Analysis: Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice Grand Canyon University: BHS – 330

2 Benchmark - Comparative Analysis: Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

Each individual is held to a higher standard of code of ethics when they become a counselor. The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the American Counseling Association (ACA) all have their own code of ethics and standards of practice laid out for a counselor to abide by and respect. Particularly each association has its own set of guidelines that appeals to culturally distinct clients. The AACC is geared more towards Christian counselors, the APA is regulated towards psychologists in varied roles, and the ACA is directed towards professional counselors. After discussing the similarities and the differences between each organization, the guidelines, and code of ethics will be examined as it applies to each culturally unique client that is seen in a behavioral health setting. The AACC, APA, and ACA organizations all have similar policies when it comes to counseling clients. For example, sexual misconduct, harassment, or romantic relationships are prohibited from clients or former clients (AACC, 2014; ACA, 2014; & APA, 2017). Now the AACC (2014) does allow a counselor to marry a former client if the proper steps are taken to by the AACC to terminate counseling accurately. Now the APA (2017) does have a multiple relationship policy but it is the responsibility of the psychologist to take specific steps to fix the situation in accordance with the Code of Ethics where it does not affect the client, they are counseling. Next, the ACA has similar guidelines as the AACC when having a romantic interaction or relationship with a former client. The ACA (2014) allows a counselor to have a romantic interaction or relationship with a former client if the professional contact has been severed for five years or longer. In addition, the AACC, APA, and ACA all have extremely similar guidelines when it comes to privacy, maintaining confidentiality, and releasing privileged

3 Benchmark - Comparative Analysis: Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

information pertaining to the client or the client's information (AACC, 2014; ACA, 2014; & APA, 2017). Where the AACC, APA, and ACA organizations all have comparable policies, they also have differences or variations when it comes to their policies, guidelines, and beliefs. For example, the AACC (2014) is regulated more towards a counselor with a faith-based background to help clients that have the same diversified views where the APA (2017) and the ACA (2014) addresses guidelines on how to approach a faith-based client where the guidelines and code of ethic are not violated. Next, the ACA has boundless obligations and prohibitions correlating to the therapeutic relationship of the client where the APA is not as specific and has a more standard and guideline-driven strategy (Firmin et al., 2016). Another difference is the APA states that a psychologist cannot deny a client his or her records due to an overdue bill but the ACA does not have any ethical guidelines addressing a situation like this (Firmin et al., 2016). Now when it comes to the AACC and the ACA they both approach the issue of values of differences that arise between the counselor and the client (Monroe, 2014). According to Monroe (2014), "The ACA code places pressure on the counselor to work it out while the AACC code suggests a path to a resolution either with re-negotiation or referral" (para. 12). Working with culturally diverse clients can be challenging at times if the counselor is not willing to follow the code of ethics laid down by the behavioral health agency or the governing organizations such as the AACC, the APA, or the ACA. When handling a diverse clientele the ACA has a specific code of ethics and definite guidelines to adhere too and uphold (Firmin et al., 2016). When looking at the APA code of ethics and guidelines, psychologists have more liberty when they make decisions because of the broad scope of the guidelines (Firmin et al., 2016). Taking a look at the AACC (2014) code of ethics, each counselor is held to a set of guidelines to

4 Benchmark - Comparative Analysis: Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

treat each client without discrimination or bias, uphold their cultural practices and worldviews, and to be sensitive to ethnic and racial diversity (AACC, 2014). Each organization has ethical guidelines established and put into practice to safeguard and protect not only the counselor or psychologist but the client as well. The AACC has similar ethical guidelines in accordance with the APA and the ACA but it is more geared towards clients that have a faith-based worldview. The APA and the ACA have many differences from the AACC because of the diversity of the Christian Worldview but overall, each organization desires the same outcomes from the counselor, psychologist, or client. A counselor or psychologist that works in a behavioral health setting is required to embrace culturally diverse clients. Those that choose not to embrace the diversity could potentially damage or emotionally impair the client for life. Learning more about the culture of the client, their worldview, and while maintaining the code of ethics is vital to any counselor or psychologist.

5 Benchmark - Comparative Analysis: Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

References American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). (2014). AACC code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.aacc.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AACC-Code-of-Ethics-MasterDocument.pdf American Counseling Association (ACA). (2014). 2014 code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf American Psychological Association (APA). (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017). http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.html Firmin, M., DeWitt, K., Kuhlwein, L., Hobbs, T., & Gillette, A. (2016). Relationships and client protection differences in the APA and ACA ethical codes. The Research and Scholarship Symposium. 32. http://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/research_scholarship_symposium/2016/poster_pres entations/32 Monroe, P. (2014). Comparing ACA and AACC ethics codes: Addressing counselor values impact. Retrieved from https://philipmonroe.com/2014/04/12/comparing-aca-and-aaccethics-codes-addressing-counselor-values-impact/...