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

Abstract

This article presents a survey of the American Counseling Association Ethics Committee chairs regarding their experiences, learning, and insights in the area of professional counselor ethics resulting from their service on the committee. In addition, ethics chairs reflect on current and future trends in counselor ethics.

Counselors' Perceptions of Ethical Behaviors

“…What is ethical counselor behavior one year may not be ethical the next, especially in light of the fact that ethical codes change as a function of changing values in society, new evidenced-based research, and the changing nature of professional associations (Ponton & Duba, 2009;Walden, Herlihy, & Ashton, 2003). The latest revisions in the American Counseling Association (ACA; 2005) ethics code demonstrates how much a code can change.…”

Trends related to ethics, technology, counselling and careers

“…The establishment of an ethical code of conduct is indicative of a mature profession, one in which members strive for similar ideals and maintain similar standards of excellence and who, thereby, have a shared professional identity (Mabe & Rollin, 1986). Professional standards are defined, endorsed, publicised, monitored and adjudicated through the implementation of a professional code of ethics (Walden, Herlihy, & Ashton, 2003). First adopted in 1961 and revised several times subsequently, the American Counselling Association's (ACA) Code of Ethics, for example, has been described as exemplary of the "combined wisdom of the profession", embodying its values and making explicit its professional obligations (Kaplan et al, 2017, p. 111).…”

“…Mental health practice, including counselling and psychotherapy, is fraught with ethical concerns requiring ethical reasoning on a constant basis (Walden et al, 2003). Other than the availability of a professional code of ethics, counsellor education programmes are an important vehicle for ensuring consensus about values, ethical principles and ethical behaviours among the counsellor workforce, and therefore the teaching of ethics is an integral part of these programmes.…”

Ethics and Relationship: From Risk Management to Relational Engagement

“…The American Counseling Association (ACA), the association that supported the formalization of the profession, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2012 (http://www.counseling.org). ACA published its first code of ethics in 1961 (Allen as cited in Walden, Herlihy, & Ashton, ). The roots of the counseling profession extend back to educational and vocational service and sprouted from society's needs for both personal meaning and social order (Ponton & Duba, ).…”