Analyzing Ethics in Career Counseling

¶ … applying ethics to the career counseling field, as mandated by the Californian State and national organizations. Numerous legal and ethical aspects need to be taken into account by professionals in the counseling field. Misunderstanding or unawareness of some ethical standard(s) cannot, by itself, help as a form of defense if charged with behaving unethically. Because of the fairly recent emergence of the 'counseling' concept in Nigeria, counselors have insufficient practical experience with regard to the relationship existing between counseling and the law (Bosede, 2010).

The counseling profession is dedicated to enhancing professional and scientific behavior-related knowledge and individuals' understanding of self and other individuals. It is also devoted to applying this knowledge towards proving individuals', societies' and organizations' conditions. Counselors safeguard and respect human and civil rights as well as the central significance of the freedom of expression and enquiry when it comes to research, publication, and teaching.

For instance, one Delphi research was carried out with the aim of uncovering panel experts' views concerning the key existing and emergent ethical problems encountered by counselors. Expert opinion regarding ethical problems associated with counselor preparation was sought, as well (Herlihy and Dufrene, 2011). A total of 18 panelists attended three data collection sessions, which were interspersed with sessions for feedback purposes.

Themes that were revealed as critical ethical problems included: ensuring counselors stick to the ethical code of the ACA (American Counseling Association, 2005); practicing ethically; tackling diversity and social justice issues; ensuring competent service provision in an environment of change; and reinforcing counselors' professional identity. Vernon Zunker's work "Career Counseling: A Holistic Approach" offers adequate insight into theoretical career counseling models, in addition to practical techniques regarding how to successfully counsel clients all through the course of one's counseling career.

National Organizations' Ethics The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) endeavors to uphold the society's trust in family and marriage therapists by establishing ethical practice standards as outlined in its ethical code. It is Ethics Committee-enforced ethical standards to delineate professional expectations. Ethics as well as law governs family and marriage therapy practice. In decision-making relating to professional behavior, family and marriage therapists should take into consideration AAMFT's ethical code and relevant regulations and laws.

If the ethical code prescribes some standard that is higher than a legal standard, family and marriage therapists need to meet AAMFT's higher standard (Code of Ethics). Therapists in this area promote individual and family welfare, making reasonable attempts to discover the right balance between differing goals in family systems. Their confidentiality concerns are unique, as clients in such a therapeutic relationship will mostly be two or more individuals. Therapists safeguard and respect confidences of all clients separately.

Furthermore, they uphold high integrity and professional competence standards, respect research participants' dignity, protect their welfare, and are knowledgeable with regard to relevant laws, professional standards and regulations that govern research performance. The NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) formulates and upholds high levels of ethical conduct mandatory for counselors. NBCC's procedures and policies with regard to professional counseling by its certificants and applicants may be explained as follows: NBCC certificants and applicants need to disclose all prior or current legal, disciplinary or criminal matter.

Their disclosure has to be submitted to the NBCC in writing, within two months of knowing of a complaint or charge (Ethics -- NBCC). In case of applicants, the above information needs to be handed in with their application. Further, they need to present relevant documents, such as a copy of charges, paperwork and outcomes that indicate necessary steps along the way have been effectively completed. Documentation in this regard will vary based on the kind of matter (whether criminal, disciplinary, or legal).

Answers to these documents will include a sentence/judgment document, probation order, and criminal complaint forms (I and II). National Career Development Association's (NCDA's) ethical code aims at playing the role of a resource and guide for career consultants. It provides a collection of principles applicable to a broad range of circumstances and contexts, but fails to be all-inclusive (2015 NCDA Code of Ethics). An individual who has doubts regarding the ethicality of a specific practice must refrain from engaging in that practice until he/she obtains competent advice.

To put it more succinctly, if one is in doubt regarding something, do not do it, or at least, wait until one seeks professional consultation. Also, peer review will not always provide perfect advice, though one might derive comfort in the knowledge that one questioned one's behavior prior to moving forward, and made room for others' views prior to taking action. A certain degree of strength and safety lies in the breadth and depth of opinions one seeks prior to engaging in any potentially questionable or untried activity.

NCDA's ethical code incorporates nine key sections, addressing the following subjects (2015 NCDA Code of Ethics): Professional Relationships; Confidentiality, Privacy, and Privileged Communication; Relationships with Fellow Professionals; Professional Responsibility; Assessment, Evaluation, and Interpretation; Training, Teaching, and Supervision; the Internet's Application in Providing Career Services; Resolution of Ethical Issues; and Research and its Publication. The APA's (American Psychological Association) conduct code and psychologists' ethical principles (or Ethics Code) comprises of the following sections: Introduction, Preamble, Ethical Standards, and General Principles.

The Introduction covers the document's intent, procedural considerations, organization, and the scope of its application. The Preamble as well as General Principles represents aspirational goals for guiding psychologists toward psychology's highest ideals. While these two sections cannot themselves be regarded as enforceable rules, psychologists ought to consider them when arriving at any ethical plan. The document's last section-- Ethical Standards -- presents enforceable rules that outline the conduct required of psychologists, though the standards aren't exhaustive.

A majority of APA's ethical standards have been written generally, for being applicable to different psychologist roles, though Ethical Standard application may differ with context (Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct). If any conduct isn't.