The American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics (AACC Code) and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics has myriad differences as well as the resemblances. This code of ethics main purpose is to offer protection to the profession, counselor, and the client. This paper aims at comparing and contrasting the two codes of ethics. The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics is the forerunner for setting down the ethical standards to be engaged in the counseling scope. Nevertheless, The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) has been introduced to give direction to counselors opting to incorporate the Christian values and views into their counseling practice.
Key words; Ethics, American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics,
American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, Christian values.
American Counseling Association and American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics Comparison Paper
SECTION One
In the counseling field, both the Christian and the secular counseling ethics are essential. Both the ACA and AACC gives a guide to both the present and the future Christian counselors and counselors. They both provide point of reference to be used by the counselors when issues concerning ethics arise. Nonetheless, the AACC code of ethics gives slightly more Christian foundation based guidance. The two codes have a number of similarities and differences.
A) Format
The ACA document has eight main section headings providing procedural rules and ethical standard rules to be addressed in that section. The section headings are as follows (American Counseling Association, 2005):
1. The Counseling Relationship
2. Confidentiality, Privileged Communication, and Privacy.
3. Professional Responsibility
4. Relationships With Other Professionals
5. Evaluation, Assessment, and Interpretation
6. Supervision, Training, and Teaching
7. Research and Publication
8. Resolving Ethical Issues
The above outline makes it easy in finding the required information inside the document.
Since AACC aims at addressing ethical considerations for diverse types of counseling then, this makes it complex compared to ACA document. It gives the different information concerning counseling depending on following types of counselors.
1. Christian counselors,
2. Supervisors, educators, researchers, and writers,
3. Ordained ministers and pastoral counselors, and
4. Lay helpers and other ministers.
Additionally, the AACC gives a clear distinction between procedural rules and the ethical standards (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2004). This attempts to evade more complexity in handling the two issues not addressed by ACA. The authority and the jurisdiction of the members are written in the AACC document. In addition, it gives an ethical consideration when it comes to dealing with cases in which both the church and the court are involved.
The similarity between the documents is that, they both give a section dealing with the procedural rules and ethical standards. In the AACC document, this section is the only one among the five topics that address a specific concern.
B) Sections Analyzed
In the fees section, there is a similarity between ACA and AACC documents concerning the charging of fair and sensible fees for the provision of services. However, they handle the financial gains from counseling differently (American Association of Christian Counselors, 2004). The AACC document stipulates that the counselor should shun self-serving monetary relationships. Similarly, ACA addresses the sole matter of client’s payment of services to the agency of the counselor. It allows payment only if the agency policy permits the practice.
AACC document calls for counselors to device an adjustable fee scale that can favor the persons who cannot afford the fee. On the contrary, ACA stipulates that a counselor assist poor clients in looking for affordable services. The AACC document encourages the counselors to be mindful about the community. However, ACA has no such considerations.
Both documents address the necessity of respect of professionals with different methods of counseling. In addition, the two documents talks about confidentiality and how to be handled if there is a need to disclose some confidential information to authorities.
Concerning the colleague relationships, both the AACC and ACA give procedures and guidelines to be used handling and resolving conflicts between the employees. The ACA document gives specific attention to matters of multidisciplinary bond building, and teamwork in handling the client’s needs. On the other hand, AACC fails to address this issue.
Section 2
This section compares the two ethical codes on three specific areas; competence, informed consent, and refusal of treatment.
Competence
Competence of the of the counselor is the most essential concern in counseling, because incompetence often lead to deterioration of the clients situation, or even, in thrilling cases, committing suicide. For counseling to be effective, the patient’s situation, feelings, state of mind, and other medical conditions should be put into consideration.
The Competency section depicts the similarity between the AACC and ACA guidelines. First, both the codes stipulate that a counselor should have necessary qualifications and experience before providing the counseling services to the client. This restrains the counselors from working outside their limits of training and capability. By so doing, it ensures that the counselor does not expose any harm to the client. Second, an accredited body must endorse the counselor’s qualification. Similarly, a counselor must be mindful of self-monitoring through the aid of peer supervision if necessary. Lastly, the counselor must only acquire new expertise while under observation of a qualified supervisor
Despite the similarities between the two codes, there are some differences. First, AACC expounds that a counselor must be of high integrity. This shows emphasis on the character of the counselor more than the than the procedural considerations. In addition, the document maintains that counselors should not give counseling counter to earning professional treatment. ACA addresses both the professional relationship and functioning as an interdisciplinary group in competency (American Counseling Association, 2005)). Most of the differences results from the AACC procedural considerations and the value they place on the character. Finally, ACA has a section concerning bartering and conditions under which it might happen. The AACC failed to address the issue of bartering.
Informed Consent
Similarities.
According to ACA (2005), informed consent refers to a written or verbal assessment of client and counselor’s responsibilities during the counseling relationship. For this reason, counselor’ s are supposed to seek informed consent from their client’s to ensure that all decisions made clients are well thought. It also determines whether the counseling process will be given a go ahead. Other aspects of the informed consent include briefing customers on the techniques used during the counseling process, the reasons for counseling, and other strategies that might be employed during the counseling process. Importantly, the ACA covers the legalities surrounding termination of counseling services, confidential limits, professionalism, and the benefits and risks of the counseling process.
On the other hand, informed consent on AACCC code of ethics is covered in several sections. First, it is the duty of Christian counselors to ensure that an informed consent is secured from the client before any form of counseling is undertaken. As such, modes of information collection, specialized procedures, and data usage must be explained to the client. Second, the structural process of counseling is a requisite rule for the counselor. This involves having respect for the procedural process that includes the nature, objectives, confidentiality, conflicts, and potential problems of the counseling process. Other situations that show consent include seeking consent from client representative, and documenting the consent in a written format. Christian Counseling also secures informed consent for its researchers when they are undertaking any research. This leads to the aspect of informed consent and confidentiality in the research process where researchers are expected to use professional language that is easy to decipher. Other professionalism, researchers should seek consent from representatives of clients that are legally incapable.
Differences.
Although both codes specify the procedure and aspects revolving informed consent, few differences are identifiable. The AACCC deals with aspects influenced by biblical laws. Its ethical consent shows commitment to seeking consent from a Christian perspective. Sexual violation among clergymen requires informed consent during counseling. Professional consent is also defined from a similar point of view. Legal law defines consent on the ACA and psychological principles govern the consent procedure. Violation of consent laws and procedures is subject to legal principles.
Refusal of Treatment
Similarities.
In both codes, the standard for determining the refusal to treatment revolves around professionalism, ethical practice, accountability, communication, and competence in readiness to receive knowledge and information. Without the consent of the client or client’s representative, then counseling treatment will be denied. Speaking of knowledge, both codes provide provisions for communicating the benefits, risks, and choices that will enable clients to make informed decisions. As such, refusal to treatment is applicable based on the assessment of these standards.
Differences. According to ACA codes of ethics, the autonomy of the client must be respected in both instances regardless of the counselor’s views and perspectives. In AACCC codes, biblical advice might be given in situations that could have otherwise resulted to refusal of treatment in ACA situation.
Conclusion
There is no doubt in the existence of many similarities between ACA and AACCC codes of ethics. Equally, some notable differences could also be noted between the two codes of ethics. The reasons for the similarities revolved around aspect of professionalism or area of coverage (psychological counseling) whereas the reasons for the differences were largely due to points of view (biblical and legal perspectives. Finally yet important, the writer’s feelings and thoughts played a part in comparing the two codes.
American Association of Christian Counselors (2004). AACC Code of Ethics; The
Y2004 Final Code. Ohlschlager: Chairman
American Counseling Association (2005). The ACA Code of Ethics. ACA
