The 2014 ACA Code of Ethics was approved by the ACA Governing Council this week at its meeting at the ACA conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The 2014 ACA Code of Ethics replaces the 2005 edition.  The new edition is the first code that speaks to the ethics of using social media with clients.  It also presents new or expanded guidelines for preventing the imposition of counselor personal values, distance counseling, confidentiality, dual relationships, multiculturalism and diversity, the use of technology, record keeping, diagnosis, end-of life care and the selection of interventions.

The 2014 ACA Code of Ethics is posted on the ethics section of the ACA website at counseling.org/ethics

ACA conference attendees can be the first to hear about the new code by attending the six-hour Learning Institute, “Hot Off the Press – The New 2014 ACA Code of Ethics: An In-Depth Review of Critical Changes” on Thursday, March 27, or the 90 minute education session, “A Town Hall Meeting on the New 2014 Code of Ethics: What You Need to Know” on Saturday, March 29.

A podcast focusing on the updates in the 2014 ethics code with Perry Francis, chairman of ACA’s Ethics Revision Task Force, is available at counseling.org/knowledge-center/podcasts

More resources focusing on the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics will be soon be posted on the ACA website, including a six-part webinar series, a ten-part interview series with the Ethics Revision Task Force, updated ACA books such as the bestselling ethics casebook and branch presentations.

 

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See the June issue of Counseling Today for an in-depth cover story on counseling ethics.

In July, Counseling Today will begin a column series highlighting significant changes in the new Code of Ethics.

 

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• For more information on the 2014 Code of Ethics, see counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics
• A Spanish language version of the 2014 Code is available here: counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/2014_code_of_ethics_ph_spanish.pdf?sfvrsn=2
• ACA has developed a six-part webinar series to navigate the changes in the new Code of Ethics. Topics of discussion include ethics, competence, values and referrals; gatekeeping and relationship boundaries for counselor educators; resolving ethical issues/ethical decision-making; technology, social media and distance counseling; professional responsibilities of the counselor; fees, fee splitting, bartering, gifts and other billing issues. Find details here: counseling.org/continuing-education/webinars
• A Kindle edition of the ACA 2014 Code of Ethics also available: amazon.com/2014-Code-Ethics-Erin-Martz-ebook/dp/B00L5T9QUU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404312268&sr=8-2&keywords=ACA+Codes+of+Ethics

 

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