Ethics Anyone? Ethics are the defining quality that distinguishes individuals as professionals. Regardless of your choice of treatment modality, complementary or alternative approaches, ethics remain a crucial part of the counseling process. Ethics is the defining quality that says, “I am a professional.” As a professional, you don’t cross those multiple relationship boundaries or fail to provide informed consent. You don’t mishandle clients’ records or allow your personal problems to affect your counseling. You don’t practice outside your area of competence or accept responsibility for counseling outside your basis of proficiency. Unfortunately, these unethical violations occur more often than most of us realize.

A counselors’ primary responsibility is to promote the well being of their clients. In general, their clients’ interests are primary. However, responsibility to the larger society or specific legal obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients (mandatory reporting).
Most licensed counselors are required to take an ethics course every two years, whether it’s two, three, four, five, or six hours in length, because ethics is the process of using legal and ethical principles in the real world of mental healthcare. Ethics establish that fiduciary relationship between a counselor and their client based on the special knowledge and expertise of the professional and the fact that trust is an essential part of this relationship.

Ethical concerns pose some of the most challenging questions; and, these questions change with each advancement in technology and each new piece of legislation — bringing a fresh barrage of vexing ethical dilemmas. To complicate matters, a true ethical dilemma is one that struggles with “right vs. right”. Different professionals can (and do) implement different courses of action — choosing between two or more options, each having its own ethical merits. To deal with such ethical dilemmas, each counselor needs to find the answers to these questions: How do you define a dilemma? What values are at stake in the dilemma? What principles are at stake in the dilemma? What personal issues are at stake in the dilemma?

Ethical issues that violate ethical standards and established laws are not a “right vs. right,” but rather “right vs. wrong.” Counselors should always remain alert to and avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgment. Counselors should not take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit others to further their personal, religious, political, or business interests. Counselors only provide services to clients in the context of a professional relationship based on valid informed consent. Counselors take all reasonable steps to ensure that documentation in records is accurate and reflects the services provided. Counselors should always base practices on recognized knowledge, including empirically based knowledge, relevant to counseling and ethics. Counselors refrain from initiating an activity when they know, or should have known, that there is a substantial likelihood that their personal problems will prevent them from performing their work-related activities in a competent manner.

Ethics, personal principles, values and standards are defining qualities that distinguish counselors as professionals. The current ethical climate of intensity is fostering an atmosphere that demands high standards in ethical practices. There is a growing disconnect between the historic concept of counseling practices and the changing circumstances and emerging environments of the 21st Century. Counselors must maintain and promote high ethical standards. These high ethical standards also protect, enhance, and improve the integrity of the mental healthcare profession. Appropriate continuing education, active discussion, and responsible implementation of ethical standards are vital.
At your next ethics seminar, even if it’s your 15th one, use the time to sort out facts from fiction, ethical issues from legal issues, and their application in your practice. Gain an appreciation for the purpose and practice of ethical standards, and learn how to decrease your risk of being drawn into ethical and/or legal issues.

The realities of value-based and value-laden approaches to mental healthcare pivot on ethics. The personal values, principles, and standards of counselors define their work and the profession.