Roles of the American Counseling Association
The American Counseling Association (ACA) is dedicated to supporting counselor professional development (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2023). The American Counseling Association is a professional organization that advocates for the counseling profession while also protecting clients by enforcing ethical, culturally inclusive practices (ACA, 2023).
Membership
According to the American Counseling Association (2023), they provide the guidance and support essential for success during its members’ professional journeys. The ACA provides professional ethical advice, discounted liability insurance, and the chance to market one's practice in accordance with the ACA Code of Ethics (ACA, 2023). The ACA also offers advocacy training and continuing education credit, career consultations, and foundation grants for members who apply for support (ACA, 2023). It seems that obtaining membership with the ACA, allows the counselor to access essential resources and services that aid in both professional and personal development.
Current Issues
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According to the American Counseling Association (2023), they are committed to nondiscrimination and to the prevention of harassment in all forms for all people. Advocacy Competencies and Competencies for Counseling Transgender Clients are the two competencies that the ACA endorsed to address harassment and discrimination (ACA, 2023). The ACA (2023) states that they stand in solidarity with all individuals and their basic human right to access public restrooms and changing rooms that match their gender identity. The ACA also stands in solidarity with immigrants, refugees, and communities of all religious faiths (ACA, 2023). According to the ACA (2023), members help advocate for equity and fair treatment for all people and groups in order to end oppression and
I believe that I could use the certification to enhance comradery with in the counseling profession. The advantages are that you take an active interest in a community of counselors who now have a commonality. I think it is beneficial to contribute to the nonprofit organization that establishes and monitors a national certification system for advance the counseling profession and enhancing mental
Shin et al. (2017) theorized that intersectionality serves as the framework for counselors to examine and understand how a person’s social identity and interpersonal effectiveness are affected due to biases and the various methods of oppression endured within society. In fact, the notion of intersectionality serves as the conduit to recognizing the impact of discriminatory behaviors has on a person’s ability to thrive and achieve domains of significance successfully. The unfortunate reality is that the marginalized and underprivileged minority groups that comprise our societies have difficulties accessing counseling services that are impartial to enhance his or her autonomy (Shin et al., 2017). As a whole, it should be expected that the people seeking therapeutic services are in desperate need of counselors that are multiculturally responsive to the diverse needs of marginalized ethnic groups (Shin et al., 2017).
Alyssa Willis Sister Harris ENG 301 23 March 2023 The Need for Therapy in the Foster Care System Children in the foster care system have often experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or other forms of instability that have left a lasting impact on their mental health and well-being. When children from newborn to 18 years old suffer from these forms of instability, they can be taken out of their homes and environment to be placed in the foster care system. For this reason, it is crucial that they receive appropriate therapy to help them process their experiences, build coping skills, and develop healthy relationships. Cognitive, filial, parent-child interaction therapy and antipsychotics are just a few examples of the types of therapy that can be
APSHA aligns programs that help build resilience and bolster family well-being. Additionally, this organization works to modernize and keep human services information technology systems in place (American Public Human Services Association, 2023) • American Counseling Association (ACA) established in 1952 is a nonprofit organization with the focus on advancement and growth of the counseling profession. It is currently the largest association representing professional counselors (American Counseling Association, 2023). This organization is an entity in which professional counselors can turn to for resources and any questions that may arise.
The ACA standard also focuses on ethical issues in technology, online counseling, and social media. Another focus is on the imposition of counselor values on whether referrals should be made because of the counselor’s religious or other values. The ACA standards clarify that referrals are made only based on skill-based competency, not personal values. The ACA was more specific in stating the values of the counseling profession in the introduction; the enhancement of human development, diversity, and multiculturalism, social justice, the integrity of the counselor-client relationship and
Beside personal therapy, boundary setting is one of the essential elements to develop effective client-counsellor relationship. It provides a consistent framework in the counselling process which shapes the appropriate interaction and relationship structure. There are five basic principles outlined in the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) Interim Code of Ethics 2015 that guides the therapeutic boundaries. They include: beneficence (to promotes the best interest of the client), non-maleficence (“doing no harm”), autonomy (to encourage independent thinking and decision-making in the client), justice (to provide equal and fair service), and fidelity (to be honest and commit to client’s progress). However, the structure
Primary Responsibility: The counselor principal obligation is to promote the prosperity of the clients with the reverence and dignity. This is the foundation for the therapists with maintaining their righteousness and obligations toward assisting the participants to adhere to the collaboration with the development of the client’s treatment plan. Overall, this approach is essential for the practitioners to enhanced their trust with the clients that were establishes, especially, with maintaining their responsibilities to the individual’s treatment objectives. NAADAC I-2 Informed Consent:
The American Counseling Association is one the primary professional organizations
NAADAC Code of Ethics and the ACA Code of Ethics both serve as guide for the counseling professionals. Although, they may work from different angels, their common goals are for the well-fare of clients. Further, The ACA and NAADAC provide professionals guidelines for counselors to prepare them when providing treatment to clients. Both ethical codes can and will help you and provide you with the necessary information of what are ethical and what is not ethical behavior, it is essential in the counseling relationships (NAADAC, 2013). These codes help counselors to understand how their own values can interfere with the counseling interventions and how this can affect their patients.
Additionally, section A of the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) states several appropriate rationales and responsibilities pertaining to professional therapeutic relationships. Section A.1 of the code (2014) establishes duties of a counselor in caring for the welfare of a client; this includes the counselors responsibilities and counseling plans. Section A.4 (2014) discusses beneficence and nonmaleficence duties as well as refraining from personal value imposition. Alternatively, the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), section A.5, clearly prohibits relationships where a counselor cannot remain objective. Lastly, the code details when termination is appropriate (section A.11.c), or inappropriate (section A.11.b); likewise, section A.12 is clear that abandonment is not advantageous or
The ACA Code of Ethics provides guidelines for ethical conduct for counselors and counseling professionals. One area that the code addresses is the issue of prolongation in Counseling. This paper will mainly focus on the negative factors concerning prolongation. However, the positive aspects of prolongation will also be briefly considered. Prolongation as an ethical violation refers to situations where a counselor continues counseling with a client beyond what is considered clinically appropriate or necessary.
Like other professions in the mental health field and helping professions, counseling typically attracts those who are imbued with a need to help others, to make a difference in others’ lives, the community around them and sometimes even the world. There are many facets to a counselor and to counseling, some of which take on personal attributes such as personality, the values and beliefs held by counselors, and what they perceive their role in the counseling profession to be. Other facets involve ethical considerations in therapy, the importance of the profession, the value and process of change, important counseling practices and the value of necessary self-care a counselor ought to engage in. The role of a counselor is to act as a conduit to change and wellbeing in a client.
Duffy and Chenail (2008) stated when using a research approach in counseling, the counselor needs to make sure they understand the value and the purpose of the research study. The research needs to be appropriate to the client needs. Therefore, the counselor should be aware of the role and the responsibilities when using research for their client that they might not be any biases or cultural sensitive towards the client, if the counselor does not feel comfortable using the research the counselor can also reference “The Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association”. Sherpis and Daniels (2017) specified when a counselor is conducting a research study or using a research they should consider the dignity and welfare of the client. The counselor needs to make sure to respect clients at all times.
According to CCPA Code of Ethics, autonomy means respecting for the client’s privilege to be self-governing. This principle focuses the basic of exploring a client’s ability to be free from external control and constraint within and out of the counselling. Counsellors who respect their clients’ autonomy will highlight the value of voluntary involvement in the counselling services being offered. They will also make sure the accuracy in any information or advertising is provided before any counselling services offered. Furthermore, they will also protect privacy and confidentiality of the clients.
Introduction After the Advanced Skills Facilitation course, I had learned many counselling skills in group counselling and different settings of group counselling. Also, it provided a lot of exercises for us to practice group counselling sessions. Thus, there are many things that I can make a reflection on it.