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ACA Code Of Ethics Case Study

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All counseling professionals have a code of ethics that they follow. These ethics are guidelines that are based on the basic principles of the core values and practices of the helping profession (Counseling Connection, 2013). Ethics help to guide professionals in the fair and proper treatment of clients in many aspects of care such as boundary issues and dual relationships, professional collaborations in a multidisciplinary team, relationships with supervisors and colleagues, and self-reflection before nonmalificent care. A dual relationship or multiple relationship occurs when a helping professional takes on two or more roles at the same time or sequentially with a client. The ACA Code of Ethics refers to dual relationships as nonprofessional relationships. These …show more content…

This behavior may include something such as a colleague practicing outside the realm of their expertise. An ethical decision making model that would address this unethical behavior includes the practitioner’s guide to ethical decision making. In this decision making model you first identify the problem; a colleague is working outside their scope of practice. Next, you apply the ACA Code of Ethics; C.2.a. “Counselors practice only within their boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience” (p.8, ACA Code of Ethics, 2014). Then you determine the nature and dimensions of the dilemma; the client could potentially be harmed, and generate a potential course of action; consult with a supervisor or report behavior to the board. After this you must consider the potential consequences of all options and determine the course of action; investigation by your supervisor or potential consequences by the board, you report your colleague to your supervisor. Reflection after action on an ethical dilemma is always supported for growth (Forester-Miller & Davis,

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