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ACA Code Of Ethics For Ethical Conduct For Counseling Professionals

962 Words4 Pages

The ACA Code of Ethics provides guidelines for ethical conduct for counselors and counseling professionals. One area that the code addresses is the issue of prolongation in Counseling. This paper will mainly focus on the negative factors concerning prolongation. However, the positive aspects of prolongation will also be briefly considered. Prolongation as an ethical violation refers to situations where a counselor continues counseling with a client beyond what is considered clinically appropriate or necessary. Prolongation can harm clients and lead to boundary violations or exploitation (ACA,2014). According to the ACA Code of Ethics, counselors should terminate counseling when it becomes clear that the client is no longer benefiting from …show more content…

This may involve regularly assessing the client's progress and discussing treatment goals and duration with the client. Counselors should also be aware of their motivations for prolonging treatment and ensure that they are acting in the client's best interests. ACA Rules The ACA Code of Ethics outlines several rules related to prolongation. Here are a few examples with their corresponding rule numbers: A.11.b. Termination and Referral: Counselors who believe a client would be better served by another counselor or resource shall suggest or facilitate the client's access to other service sources (ACA,2014). This rule emphasizes the importance of termination and referral when the counselor believes that continuing with the client would not be in their best interest or if the counselor feels unable to provide competent care for the client. In such cases, the counselor is obliged to suggest or facilitate the client's access to alternative service sources that may better meet their needs. By doing so, counselors demonstrate their commitment to providing ethical care and ensuring the well-being of their clients(ACA,2014). This is perhaps the most relevant …show more content…

Prolonging therapy beyond what is necessary or beneficial for the client could be seen as harmful(ACA,2014). Rule A.11.b - Termination and Referral: This rule requires counselors to establish clear and appropriate boundaries regarding counseling termination. Prolonging therapy without a clear termination plan could violate this rule(ACA,2014). Rule C.2.a - Types of Fees: This rule requires counselors to disclose their fees and billing arrangements clearly and understandably. Prolonging therapy without discussing the financial implications with the client could be seen as a violation of this rule(ACA,2014). Positive prolongation Prolongation may be a necessary tool if it is clinically appropriate and, in the client’s best interests. Relevant prolongation typically extends a particular phase or stage of the counseling process beyond its expected duration (Egan, 2014). For example, in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a counselor may prolong the cognitive restructuring phase if the client has difficulty identifying and challenging negative thought patterns. Similarly, a counselor may prolong the exploration phase in client-centered therapy if clients struggle to articulate their thoughts and feelings (Egan, 2014). A positive goal of prolongation is typically to help the client gain deeper insight and awareness into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and

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