Ethical Standard Violation

Counseling those of different ethnic backgrounds can prove to be a challenge. As a result, it is important for counselors to educate themselves on the culture and values of their clients. Counselors must clearly set forth what will be discussed in counseling and gain client consent. They also need to discuss confidentiality and whether or not they would like religion to play a role in their treatment. Based on how the counselor went about counseling the Korean family, there have been a couple violations of specific ethical standards. The first ethical standard violation is when the counselor failed to acknowledge the cultural differences between Americans and Koreans. The counselor just went ahead and treated the family like she would any other family. According to ACA section E.5b (2014), counselors must “recognize that culture affects the manner in which clients’ problems are defined and experienced (p. 11). The counselor should have been more sensitive to her client’s

She had counseled those who had struggled with anxiety issues in the past, so she knew she would be able to counsel the family. According to AACC 1-210-b (2014), counselors must be competent in their area of expertise (p. 19). If the counselor had not been competent in counseling those who struggled with anxiety, they would have had to refer the family to a counselor who was more competent (AACC 1-240, 2014, p. 19). Referrals are not a sign of weakness. Referrals are a sign that the counselor is willing to ask for help, especially when they do not know how to effectively treat the client. Counselors must have a clear understanding of the codes of ethics because they set forth guidelines in how they should conduct themselves when engaged in professional or lay counseling. Counselors will be able to effectively counsel others when they abide by the standards set before