Professional Ethics and Codes of Conduct

621 Words2 Pages

Morals and values is something that every individual may uphold in life. So similar to such, so do professional organizations, especially those within the human services profession. With those morals and values, which are also called professional ethics, comes codes of conduct. Codes of conduct are rules and regulations that are set in place to help avoid conflict and adversity within professional environments. These rules and regulations are also set in place to help maintain the safety and welfare of both the professionals and the clients. However, while there are several arenas within the human services field, it allows the opportunity for numerous professional associations to be available within our society. Being that I am an individual who is passionate about helping others within their times of adversity as well as advocating for diversity/equality, the American Counseling Association’s code of ethics is what I would adhere within the mentioned professional environment.

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest professional association that was founded in 1952. The ACA places emphasis on growth and enhancement within the counseling profession with their headquarters being located in Alexandria, VA. However, their code of ethics did not come into existence until 1963; eleven years after their existence. Since then, their code of ethics has been revised twice due changes with our society and other social justice issues. Its latest revised went into effect July 1, 2005 with the approval from the ACA Governing Council. Although its approval was by Governing Council, it was the ACA’s Ethics Code Revision Taskforce who took on the assignment of revising their code of ethics. Yet, its current code of ethic...

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...policies and procedures assist employees with conflict but they will also assist with setting the standard within the professional environment as it relates to the safety and welfare or the clients and the professionals as well. Along with the continuous changes within society, these codes of ethics and conduct would have to be updated to adhere to those changes; however not saying that they have to be changed every year.

Works Cited

American Counseling Association (2005). 2005 ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from

http://www.counseling.org/Resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

Race, D. G. (2003). Leadership and Change is Human Services: Select Readings From Wolf

Wolfensberger. New York: Routledge

American Counseling Association (2005). Highlights of the ACA Code of Ethics. Retrieved

from http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/ethics_highlights.pdf?sfvrsn=2

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