The ACA Code Of Ethics
The ACA Code Of Ethics
(ACA, 2014) expands on the Common Rule by emphasizing protections and treatments for all individuals involved in the research process, not just the participants (Balkin, & Kleist, 2017). Furthermore, ACA (2014) expands on responsibilities throughout the research process, including behaviors for reviewing research, publishing, and presenting (Balkin, & Kleist, 2017). Counselors should take care to consider how to integrate the ACA Code of Ethics with IRB processes explicated by the Common Rule and appropriate subsections (Balkin, & Kleist, 2017). The section that I chose to discuss is Section F.7.h. from the This section of the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) Section F.7.h., suggest that Counselor educators promote the use of techniques, procedures, and modalities that are grounded in theory and/or have an empirical or scientific foundation (pg. 14). When counselor educators discuss developing or innovative techniques/procedures/modalities, they explain the potential risks, benefits, and ethical considerations of using such techniques/procedures/modalities (ACA, 2014).
Implications
I would say that the implications for me as a counselor in my chosen discipline would be that I encourage the use of such techniques, procedures, and modalities that have been researched and proven based on solid evidence. It also implies that the suggested treatments are effective based on actual facts. Lastly, it suggests that any future development and possible risks are thoroughly explained based on ethical considerations of the ACA Code of Ethics (p.g 14).
Summary
It is essential that counselors adhere to the standards of the ACA Code of Ethics, by using evidenced based practices in their work. As a therapist, I have a moral obligation that I must uphold as a professional in the field of counseling. I also have an ethical and legal obligation to present research that is accurate, honest, and true. Counselors who conduct research are obliged to follow federal, state, and institutional regulations, even if they practice independently (Balkin, & Kleist, 2017).
References
Balkin, R. S., & Kleist, D. M. (2017). Counseling research: A practitioner-scholar approach. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.
3. Classmate (K. Fos)
Ethical Standards
The role of the counselor can be stressful as well as demanding. Counselor can be on call depending on the area of practice. The American Counseling Association appears to understand that the role of a counselor and its demands. Section C.2.g focuses exclusively on Impairment and the level of functionality that a counselor should have. This section shares that a counselor monitors themselves for signs of impairment from their own physical, mental, or emotional problems and refrain from offering or providing professional services when impaired (American Counseling Association, 2014). Counselor are responsible for monitoring their co-workers to assist with preventing or causing harm to clients.
Implication for Practice
This section focuses on the self-care of a professional, in order to assist other, you have to first take care of yourself. I believe that it’s important to take a mental health day. For instance, I had to call in to my supervisor to take day off when I felt overwhelmed. Impairment can go beyond taking a mental health personal day. For instance, experiencing a death or divorce can cause for a counselor to need more than one day from work or to be relieved from duties. The ACA code of ethics (2014) shares that counselor seek assistance for problems that reach the level of professional impairment, and if necessary, they limit, suspend, or terminate their professional responsibilities until it is determined that they may safely resume their work.
Summary
Counselors are much needed people but it’s imperative that they understand that they need to take care of themselves. Taking care of yourself will also allow a counselor to provide the best care for their clients. The goal of a counselor is to help and not hinder or harm. Self-care can take on many forms such as: taking a yoga class, spa days, or finding hobby that relaxes a person. I personally workout 3 times per week and visit the spa once a month or as needed to assist with decreasing my stress.
Resource
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Retrieved
from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.
Required Resources
Balkin, R. S., & Kleist, D. M. (2017). Counseling research: A practitioner-scholar approach. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.
Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.
Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.
The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.
