Counseling Ethical Standards

The Importance of Ethical Standards
Ethical standards equates to moral standards of behaviors and actions, as it relates to how one handles others. They consist of the accepted actions of a particular group or various cultures. All counselors are bound by ethical standards and practices of the counseling profession. There are several ethic codes that are to be recognized and upheld on a regular basis when counselors are performing their duties. Whether or not the counselor is performing in a group as a group leader or working with an individual client these standards should be upheld. However, there are some slight differences when working in a group as opposed to working with an individual. For example, all information gained from an individual is held in the strictest of confidence. However, in the group

There is a lack of training and understanding of how to perform an intervention, so that the group members can find a direct solution to their issues. Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, & Schimmel (2012), Jacobs et al., (2012) states, “The fundamental ethical principle for leading groups is found in ASGW’s, according to Best Practice Guidelines (2008), group counselors do not attempt any technique unless thoroughly trained in its use or under supervision by a counselor familiar with the intervention” (p. 28). However, when compared to group leaders, counselors who are working with individuals have less risk of making some of the same mistakes group leaders make because they are dealing with one person opposed to several individuals. The counselor can deal with an individual on a one-on-one basis, allowing the client to grow at their own pace as the counselor learns to prepare for them. With group leaders preparation takes more time because of the numerous members, which can also create opportunity for