ACA Code of Ethics
Relationship
Responsibility
Miscellaneous
100
Kristen is a new, single mother working with her client Jenny who recently got pregnant and is contemplating an abortion. When she talks about this, Kristen avoids eye contact, makes disapproving statements, and continues to provide information about single parent support and abortion services.
What is standard A.4.b. Personal Values
100
It's your responsiblity to read, understand and follow the ACA Code of Ethics.
What is C.1 Knowledge of Standards
100
Lindsey is volunteering at Mayo clinics while working on her Psy.D degree. She is telling patients that she is doctor covering for a doctor who was absent at the time.
What is C.4.a. Accurate Representation
200
While participating in an interview after releasing a best selling book, Benjamin Reeves, therapist, passionately expressed that counselors understand and attempt to convey to clients that medications in conjunction with on-going therapy is the most effective means of alleviating symptoms of severe mental illness.
What is ethical code C.7.a Personal Public Statements
200
Marco works with young children. After getting signed consent from her/his guardian, he sits down with the child and explains what counseling is, what the child can expect, and gets the child's assent.
What is ACA A.2.d Inability to Give Consent
200
Jonathan gets a subpoena for his clients records and immediately copies them and takes them to the courthouse where indicated on the subpoena.
What is ACA B.2.c Court-Ordered Disclosure
200
Dr. Johnson is supervisor at Park Avenue Center. He supervised practicum students from several institutions. Dr. Johnson is holding a training workshop out of town, and obligates all his supervisees to attend the workshop.
What is C.3.f. Promoting to Those Served
300
Marion Jacobson, therapist, recently encouraged his client, Ellie, to contact Child Protective Services to report suspected abuse of one of her children at the hands of their father. Ellie has initiated court proceedings to obtain full custody of her children. Marion has a strong belief that the abuse is occurring and that the children should reside with his client. Marion received a subpoena for Ellie's records which will be reviewed and utilized in court. As he completed his most recent SOAP note for Ellie, he indicated a higher level of progress than was accurate.
What is ethical code C.6.b. Reports to Third Parties
300
Jane is upset that her counseling shared her personal situation with others in the community, even though her counselor Matt was trying to help her get needed services.
What is ACA A.6.b Confidentiality and Advocacy
300
Cynthia has a client who is very nervous and worries about what others think of her. To avoid increasing her anxiety, she does not tell her that she is audio recording the sessions for use in her supervision.
What is ACA B.6.b Permission to Record
300
Jessica is a clinician at Hope Treatment Center. Her contract will be expired in 3 months. She is searching for an employment elsewhere; she needs some recommendations, and testimonies that would help her move on to the next job assignment. Jessica has asked some of her currents clients to write testimonies that would she will send with her employment applications.
What is C.3.b. Testimonials
400
Melissa Henderson received her Master's Degree in 2011 from a program which became accredited this year. She has changed her C.V. and marketing materials to reflect this exciting new aspect of the educational program she attended.
What is ethical code C.4.e. Program Accreditation Status
400
In an extremely rural area, Jessica accepts fresh produce and dairy products from her clients farm as payment for her counseling session.
What is ACA A.10.d Bartering
400
Dora’s mother has been telling her friends and neighbors that her daughter is a psychologist because she graduated from clinical psychology program. Dora is a chemical dependency counselor in the St Paul. Dora let everyone believe that she is a psychologist because she feels proud to be called a psychologist.
What is C.3.c. Statements by Others
400
Bobby is a clinician working in a private practice. He is developing a brochure that he will take to a career fair in down town Minneapolis. Bobby had included information that his practice does not provide just to make his practice look proficient to the public.
What is C.3.e. Products and Training Advertisements
500
Monica's client brought her some Zucchini bread as an expression of her gratitude for the services Monica has provided. Monica doesn't like Zucchini, so she said, "No thank you" and refused the bread.
What is A.10.e Receiving Gifts
500
Eric has been working at the St Luke’s counseling center for 5 years. He had decided to open his own practice, which will open in few weeks. Eric is distributing his new business cards to his currents clients so that they can continue treatment with him in his new private practice.
What is C.3.d. Recruiting Through Employement
M
e
n
u