¶ … ethics codes of the three following counseling associations share certain ethical responsibilities in common, while containing certain responsibilities unique to their organization. The three associations' ethics codes that will be studied about here are the American Counseling Association (ACA) 2005 Draft Code of Ethics, the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) Code of Ethics-Y2004 Final Code, and the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) Code of Ethics.
The first level of comparison between the three ethics codes begins with finding the similarities and differences they display in their duties to clients. There exist several similarities in this regard between them. In terms of obtaining informed consent, the ACA codes of ethics states (A2. a) that clients can choose to either continue or terminate treatment at any time. This would be after the counselor discharges his/her duty in informing the client exactly how the counseling would occur, what the counselor's credentials were, and what rights and responsibilities were enjoined upon both the counselor and client.
In a similar fashion, the AACC code of ethics states (1-310) that Christian counselors must seek a client's informed consent for all types of services including, the practice of consulting other counselors for help with the client, the possibility of audio/video taping a client's sessions, the engagement in special counseling methods, and finally the disclosure of client data to other agencies or counselors. The AAPC code of ethics also states (Principle IV-E) that clients are to give informed documented consent towards the use of audio/video tapes or third party observances in their sessions.
There are also similarities to be found in how the level of professional competence is viewed. Level of competence here entails the level of training,...
The ACA code of ethics states (C2.a) that counselors must work within the boundaries of their level of education, training,
work experience, and state and national credentials. The AACC code of ethics states (1-210) that counselors should truthfully state about their level of education, experience, credentials and method of counseling to clients. It goes on to state that AACC members should never work beyond their limits. The AAPC code of ethics states (Principle V-D) that their professionals should not provide services beyond what they are capable of.
In terms of the dangers that could develop within a counselor-client relationship, all three ethics codes differ in how they view sexual/romantic relationships between counselors and former clients. All three, however, do explicitly forbid sexual/romantic relations between counselors and the clients they currently serve.
The ACA (A5.b) allows such relationships to develop after a period of five years elapses since the last treatment occurred, and after counselors demonstrate in writing that the relationship would not harm or exploit the former client in any way. Both the AAPC and AACC, however, do not allow their counselors to engage in any sexual relations with their former clients. The AAPC states (Principle III-H) that all forms of
sexual behavior with former clients are forbidden. The AACC states (1-131) that all forms of premarital/extramarital sexual relations with former clients are forbidden. It does however allow counselors to marry their former clients after a period of two years (1-133). This could happen after a counselor demonstrates that the counseling relationship completely ended, there is no indication of exploitation or harm occurring to the client in the marital relationship, and that the client's care is being taken care of by a different counselor.
This difference in how the three associations view sexual/romantic relations between counselors and former clients stems from the religious viewpoint that some of them carry. Since the AACC and AAPC espouse religious morals and values in their codes of ethics, it is understandable why they don't allow sexual relations of a premarital/extramarital nature to take
place.
Another difference in how these associations handle dangers in client-counselor relations is in the way they deal with the dangers clients may pose to themselves or others. The AACC for example states…
