Ethical Practice for Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counseling

Course overview

Identify and define the key elements of the NBCC, ACA, and AAMFT Code of Ethics related to informed consent, confidentiality, dual relationships, and duty to warn. Compare and contrast the ethical guidelines and directives of the NBCC, ACA, and AAMFT on conversion-reparative therapy and counseling. Select and discuss the six purposes of the ACA Code of Ethics. Give two examples of appropriate termination or referral according to the ACA Code of Ethics. Define client privilege and give three examples of violations from the case studies. Explain and give four components of a counseling plan as defined in the ACA Code of Ethics. Outline four competencies for multicultural diversity sensitivity according to the ACA Code of Ethics. Identify and explain four prohibited non-counseling roles and relationships as defined in the ACA Code of Ethics. Discuss five steps in ethical decision making for therapy and counseling. Analyze the relationship between legal directives and ethical guidelines in the practice of therapy and counseling. List and explain three ethical violations in therapy and counseling that may occur when using mobile technology devices. Explain the role of collaboration as it applies to ethical practice and give two examples. Define the term duty to warn and explain how it informs ethical practice. Identify and explain three potential confidentiality violations and safeguards when using technology in therapy and counseling practice. Discuss three ethical standards and directives specific to minor clients. Explain five standards that guide ethical practice in long distance counseling or therapy and five best practices to prevent ethical violations. Describe three new challenges the MFT faces today and apply three related standards in the AAMFT Code of Ethics to meet those challenges. Select and discuss three aspirational core values from the AAMFT Code of Ethics. Define the term binding expectation as written in the AAMFT Code of Ethics and give two examples. Select and explain three examples of advocacy and public participation from the AAMFT Code of Ethics. List and define three standards and directives that address access to client records by family members. Discuss the ethical complaint process and explain when it is appropriate. Identify two situations that may warrant the disclosure of confidential information and give examples for each. Select three standards that define professional competence and discuss three examples that apply to practice. List and explain the requirements for maintaining client records as outlined in the NBCC Code of Ethics. Discuss the use of digital technology and social media in counseling as outlined in the NBCC Code of Ethics. Identify and discuss four directives on records security from the NBCC Code of Ethics and give two examples of each. Define two deceptive techniques that must be avoided in research from the NBCC Code of Ethics. Explain the term “harmful multiple relationships” as defined in the NBCC Code of Ethics and describe examples from the case studies.