Report of the ACA Ethics Committee: 1995–1996

Abstract

This report contains data about ethical complaints and inquiries processed by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Ethics Committee from 1995 to 1996. This report also includes a discussion of the findings of the committee, information about the approval of the new ACA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and educational efforts undertaken by the committee.

The Evolution of Ethics: Personal Perspectives of ACA Ethics Committee Chairs

“…Since 1991, the Ethics Committee has made a formal report to the membership at the end of each year. These annual reports have appeared in the archival issues of the Journal of Counseling & Development (see ACA Ethics Committee, 1992;Forester-Miller & Shumate, 1998;Garcia, Glosoff, & Smith, 1994;Garcia, Salo, & Hamilton, 1995;Salo, Forester-Miller, & Hamilton, 1996;Smith, 1993) and have served to inform the membership about types of violations and potential areas for concern.…”

Report of the ACA Ethics Committee: 1996–1997

“…At the end of the term, their dispositions were as follows: 3 cases were with cochairs for review, in 3 cases the cochairs requested additional information from the complainants before proceeding (information not yet received), and the formal statements have been prepared for the complainant's signature in 7 cases (none of which had been returned to ACA as of the end of the term). Until this year, the prior cases reported in the Journal of Counseling & Development (American Association for Counseling and Development Ethics Committee, 1991;ACA Ethics Committee, 1992;Smith, 1993;Garcia, Glosoff, & Smith, 1994;Salo, Forester-Miller, & Hamilton, 1996) were complaints based on the American Association for Counseling and Development (AACD, now the American Counseling Association) 1988 Ethical Standards. This year 4 cases were processed under the 1988 Ethical Standards and 3 cases under the 1995 Code of Ethics.…”

“…As of August 1997, the Ethics Committee has not contacted third parties to obtain information but has relied solely on the information provided by the complainant and the accused in rendering its decisions. Due to the increased complexity of cases (Salo et al, 1996) it seems that third party inquiries may be necessary to effectively process some cases. These guidelines instruct the Ethics Committee members in the appropriate methods of conducting such investigations while ensuring due process for the accused member.…”

Report of the ACA Ethics Committee: 1997–1998

“…S ince 1991, the American Counseling Association (ACA) Ethics Committee (American Association for Counseling and Development, 1991;ACA, 1992;Forester-Miller & Shumate, 1998;Garcia, Glosoff, & Smith, 1994;Garcia, Salo, & Hamilton, 1995;Salo, Forester-Miller, & Hamilton, 1996;Smith, 1993; has submitted an annual report of its activities to the membership through the Journal of Counseling & Developments archival edition. These reports provide the membership with summary data concerning complaints filed against ACA members, adjudication results of complaints against ACA members, ethical inquires processed by the ACA staff and ACA Ethics Committee cochairs, and educational activities of ACA Ethics Committee members.…”