Comparative Analysis – Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

Comparative Analysis – Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

Counseling is the process by which a counselor assists a patient, using their psychological skills and training through various methods to help them get better. Accordingly, there are various codes of conduct put in place to govern the behavior of counselors. These codes of conduct are stipulated by various organizations such as the American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics (AACC), the American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA), and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Accordingly, these organizations are different and have varying principles and codes of ethics that are, in some areas, different and similar.

The first difference between these organizations’ policies is influenced by their missions. The AACC’s Code of Ethics mission is based on helping Christian counselors in their work ethics (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2014). The policies governing their code of ethics are based on Christian counseling. In contrast, the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct assist all psychologists who want to abide by their code of ethics (American Psychological Association, 2017). In contrast, the ACA’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice is based on helping professional counselors in their duties by providing them with guidelines (American Counseling Association, 2014). The policies vary because the mission of each organization is different from the other. Therefore, with different target counselors and psychologists, the policies and principles vary among the organizations.

The second difference between these organizations is their different principles governing their code of ethics. For example, the AACC Code of Ethics is built on the following principles: Compassion, Competence, Consent, Confidentiality, Cultural Regard, Case Management, Collegiality, and Community Presence in Christian Counseling, all representing different aspects of their code of ethics (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2014). In contrast, the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct is built on the following codes of conduct: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence, Fidelity and Responsibility, Integrity, Justice, Respect for People’s Rights, and Dignity (American Psychological Association, 2017). On the other hand, the ACA’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice is built on the following principles: autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity (American Counseling Association, 2014). From these principles, it is evident that despite their differences, a few are similar. Also, all principles have similar purposes in promoting professional and ethical behavior among counselors and psychologists. However, these principles are not enforced and, therefore, serve as policies guiding psychologists.

The differences between the organizations in terms of missions and principles create a similarity. This similarity is based on the importance of missions, principles, and ethical standards in creating the code of ethics. Subsequently, each organization has specific missions, principles, ethical standards, and codes of ethics. Therefore, similarities are found in the differences.

The similarities between the policies are evident in the guidelines for relationships between counselors and their patients. In consideration of the AACC, the relationship guidelines are under the collegiality principle, which states the importance of creating professional relationships with other counselors and patients as long as the actions of the individuals involved do not go against Christian principles (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2014). Also, the relationships guidelines under the APA guide psychologists against bias, sexual relationships, harassment, harm, conflicts of interest, multiple relationships with clients, and other relations that interfere with professionalism (American Psychological Association, 2017). Additionally, the relationship guidelines under the ACA stipulate policies that govern the relationship between the counselor and the client and the relationships with other professionals (American Counseling Association, 2014). Accordingly, it stipulates that adult clients can choose to join, remain, or leave a counseling relationship. Moreover, the guidelines prohibit inappropriate relationships, such as sexual relationships with clients. Therefore, the relationship policies between the AACC, the APA, and the ACA have similarities in that they prohibit inappropriate relationships with clients that can be sexual or romantic.

Another similarity in the code of ethics is a similarity in cultural policies. The AACC guidelines on cultural policies stipulate that Christian counselors should maintain cultural awareness as they obtain consent and during the entire counseling relationship (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2014). Therefore, awareness is in terms of religious affiliation and values without the imposition of the counselor’s values on clients. Also, the APA guidelines on multicultural policies are under the principle of respecting people’s rights and dignity (American Psychological Association, 2017). Consequently, psychologists should be aware of and respect their clients’ cultural heritage and values and not be biased against them. The ACA also provides cultural guidelines through cultural policies, stipulating that counselors should address their clients’ sensitivity and awareness of their client’s culture (American Counseling Association, 2014). Accordingly, their sensitivity is illustrated in respecting and maintaining clients’ privacy and confidentiality. Therefore, the code of ethics for all three organizations provides guidelines for multicultural clients. These guidelines are applied while helping clients of various cultures or those having distinctive behaviors, values, and opinions. An excellent example is helping a client with ADHD or bipolar disorder, for whom the cultural policies must be observed and maintained.

In conclusion, various organizations’ missions, principles, and ethical standards are influenced by the creation of a code of ethics. Furthermore, the code of ethics is essential in guiding counselors and psychologists to lead a professional counseling relationship with their clients. Therefore, despite the counselor’s affiliation with a certain organization, the guidelines serve the same purpose.

References

American Association of Christian Counselors, 2014. American Association of Christian Counselors; AACC Code of Ethics. [online] Aacc.net. Available at: <https://www.aacc.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AACC-Code-of-Ethics-Master-Document.pdf>

American Counseling Association, 2014. 2014 ACA Code of Ethics.. [online] Counseling.org. Available at: <https://www.counseling.org/Resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf>

American Psychological Association, 2017. Ethical Principles Of Psychologists And Code Of Conduct. [online] Apa.org. Available at: <https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/ethics-code-2017.pdf>

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Comparative Analysis – Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

Write a 750-1,000-word essay comparing and contrasting the ethical codes of the following organizations:

Comparative Analysis – Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice

1. The American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics
2. The American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
3. The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

Discuss the similarities and differences in the policies, in addition to how the guidelines can be applied to working with culturally diverse clients in a behavioral health agency.

Your paper must include at least three credible resources.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competency:

• BS Behavioral Health Science
  • 1.3: Analyze current research and best practices in the field of behavioral health.