The ACA and NAADAC: Why Do We Need a Code of Ethics?

Topics 5-1, 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2
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Topics 5-1, 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2
5-1Codes of ethics are implemented to offer protection to the public and guide professionals in offering services to their clients. ACA and NAADAC formulated the codes of ethics to guide professional counselors in their profession. They educate the counselors about proper ethical conduct, provide accountability to the therapists and assist the professionals to improve on their practice by offering them with answers to difficult questions and answers. Such difficult situations include dual relationships (ACA, 2014). Such relationships exist when the therapists assume other roles sequentially with the clients. NAADAC does not talk about the potentially beneficial interactions between the client and the counselor, but ACA addresses them fully. NAADAC also recognizes that there are situations where dual relationships will not be avoided more especially in the rural areas, and there should be discussions of the counseling and other interactions to provide a distinction. Both codes do not provide a definitive guidance on the following dual relationships providing therapy to a relative or a friend's relative, attending a social event of a client or social networking. Making a decision to enter or not enter into a dual relationship is not easy to make. There are greater risks that are involved, and the involved professional should take great care to protect the affected parties.
5-2There is a fact that if something attracts us emotionally or physically, we start looking for reasons to justify acting on them. The client-therapist attraction is not an exception, but it can be dangerous sometimes. When to end up using the common justification that emotional or physical attraction is not wrong. Sometimes the emotions are important in the therapeutic process, and they should be brought forward in a manner that will enable the client to learn and grow as a person.
* In the case of the client and therapist having attractions to each other, they should discuss their feelings together and enter into an agreement to create a boundary between their relationships.
* In the case of the therapist having feelings of attractions to the client but the client does not, the therapist should not dis...