ACA Code of Ethics
Section C
Relationship
Responsibility
Miscellaneous
100
Dr. Soren has his Ph.D in accounting and taught at a local university for several years. He recently obtained his Master's degree in Counseling as he was unfulfilled with his work as a professor and CEO. He obtained his M.A. in Counseling and upon beginning his practicum maintined a more formal relationships with clients requesting the use of last names and titles in session. He referred to clients as Ms., Mrs., Mr., and so on, and clients referred to him as Dr. Soren.
What is ethical code C.4.d Implying Doctoral-Level Competence
100
Jennifer has a private practice and currently has two practicum students, one male and one female. She allows more opportunities to her female student and often excludes or limits the male student's experiences with clients.
What is ethical code C.5. Nondiscrimination
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
Therapist Elaina recently welcomed two practicum students to her practice and introduced the following mandatory responsibilities for them: complete all the filing, supply and brew coffee for all staff, drop off and pick up her dry cleaning, and occasionally sit in on therapeutic groups.
What is ethical code C.6.d. Exploitation of Others
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
Kingsly recently began making modifications to treatment interventions with success. He is referring to this as a "form" of DBT when discussing his treatment plan with clients. He then discusses the research supporting DBT but neglects to mention that his methods are not empirically supported.
What is ethical code C.6.e. Scientific Bases for Treatment Modalities
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
While discussing treatment interventions during a broadcast interview, Darius cited useful information regarding REBT which he obtained from Wikipedia.
What is ethical code C.6.c Media Presentations
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
Jordie was previously a member of multiple organizations including the ACA and AMHCA. Given recent financial stress he could not afford to renew all of this memberships. As a result, he dropped AMHCA for the next year. However, he left the AMHCA under his professional memberships section when advertising.
What is ethical code C.4.f. Professional Membership
500
Dr. Phil has his practice in St Paul MN. He was invited by a pastor of a local church to talk about his practice, and the services that he provides. At the beginning of his introduction, he said that he had a doctorate degree in clinical psychology, and had a 20 years experience working with PTSD clients. His presentation went well, but later on, the pastor discovered that Dr. Phil is Masters Degree from Argosy University and has been practicing for the 7 years. He shouldn’t even identify himself as “Dr.”
What is C.3.a. Accurate Advertising
500
Luke has been very busy building his private practice for the past three years and has not taken any days off. He finally gets to go on vacation with his family and they have made a "no technology pact".
What is ACA A.11.a Abandonment Prohibited
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
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