ACA Code Of Ethics Case Study
Counselors’ insensitivity toward gay people: Consequences and how to avoid it
All professionals in the health field are governed by codes of ethics. These codes exist to well protect the welfare of the patient or client; but also to safeguard professionals of possible legal actions against them. Ethical codes should to be followed to the letter. In the area of psychological counseling, ethical dilemmas, consequences, responsibilities, and solutions should be considered prior to events take place; anticipation is fundamental, (Kottler, & Shepard, 2011). Ethical decision making for counselors is an ongoing process acquired by learning, experience, and maturation. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility of infringements to codes of ethics …show more content…
According to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, clients’ welfare, respect, worth, dignity, uniqueness, and potential are primary accountabilities of counselors, (Kocet, 2006; Rheta et al., 2006). In these times where laws support the lawful union of two persons of the same gender, several counseling internship students have been in the midst of legal disputes for refusing to serve persons of homosexual orientation. The ACA code of ethics clearly states that counselors must not discriminate on grounds of sex, color, ethnicity, culture, disability, sexual orientation, or economic status. Furthermore, the 2005 revision of this document additionally states that counselors must not discriminate on spiritual beliefs, language preference, and neither marital status regardless of partnership, (Kocet, …show more content…
This does not imply a change of mindset, but to make an effort to look at the human being with transparency. Second, counselors should reflect their moral values and/or religious beliefs, including their own biases and look at how they can put them aside to foster a healthy counseling relationship. Third, not to judge, when counselors values are different from those of their clients, they must be transitorily opened and maintain curiosity of their clients’ points of view, (Kottler, & Shepard, 2011). Fourth, counselors should be vigilant that they will not hurt their clients by making comments or recommendations that are contrary to what they believe. Fifth, counselors must show professionalism at all times; they must remember that the clients’ welfare goes above their values, (Kocet, 2006; Rheta et al.,
All professionals in the health field are governed by codes of ethics. These codes exist to well protect the welfare of the patient or client; but also to safeguard professionals of possible legal actions against them. Ethical codes should to be followed to the letter. In the area of psychological counseling, ethical dilemmas, consequences, responsibilities, and solutions should be considered prior to events take place; anticipation is fundamental, (Kottler, & Shepard, 2011). Ethical decision making for counselors is an ongoing process acquired by learning, experience, and maturation. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility of infringements to codes of ethics …show more content…
According to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, clients’ welfare, respect, worth, dignity, uniqueness, and potential are primary accountabilities of counselors, (Kocet, 2006; Rheta et al., 2006). In these times where laws support the lawful union of two persons of the same gender, several counseling internship students have been in the midst of legal disputes for refusing to serve persons of homosexual orientation. The ACA code of ethics clearly states that counselors must not discriminate on grounds of sex, color, ethnicity, culture, disability, sexual orientation, or economic status. Furthermore, the 2005 revision of this document additionally states that counselors must not discriminate on spiritual beliefs, language preference, and neither marital status regardless of partnership, (Kocet, …show more content…
This does not imply a change of mindset, but to make an effort to look at the human being with transparency. Second, counselors should reflect their moral values and/or religious beliefs, including their own biases and look at how they can put them aside to foster a healthy counseling relationship. Third, not to judge, when counselors values are different from those of their clients, they must be transitorily opened and maintain curiosity of their clients’ points of view, (Kottler, & Shepard, 2011). Fourth, counselors should be vigilant that they will not hurt their clients by making comments or recommendations that are contrary to what they believe. Fifth, counselors must show professionalism at all times; they must remember that the clients’ welfare goes above their values, (Kocet, 2006; Rheta et al.,