Ethics is defined as the code of morals practiced by a group or person involved in systemizing and recommending concepts that are socially acceptable or socially unacceptable.
I am a student at ………………. currently pursuing ………….. I am in my ……….. Year of study hoping to graduate come ……………. I am so passionate about my course and especially the societal moral code of conduct that will be discussed in this essay.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
I aspire to become a school counselor upon completion of my studies. I also desire to be well equipped with ethical knowledge that will help me be competent in assisting students in excelling in their exams and leading a fulfilling life once they are through with schooling.
Summary of Codes of Ethics
American Counselling Association is a non-profit educational and professional body that focusses on promoting the counseling as a profession. The organization was launched in 1952 and represented professional counselors in whichever field they are practicing and enhance the quality of life in society (Gonzalez, n.d.).
American School of Counselling Association (ASCA) is an institution that supports school counselors' efforts to assist students in focusing on career development, social development, and education. The main motive is to see students excel in their academics and lead a fulfilling life after school (Gonzalez, n.d.).
My belief system ethical standards are a combination of personal; professional ethics work in relation to what defines how professionals in social service work to help understanding dilemmas related to ethics.
Commonalities of Codes
Being responsible for oneself is like a personal obligation to ensure that someone's life is up to standards. In the professional field, it is a much-revered character. For a school counselor to be responsible to themselves, they should stop blaming and complaining to other people about the outcome of a given action, but rather be calm and confident. To be responsible for oneself also requires that you refrain from taking anything personally, for example, when corrected, someone should take it positively without offense.
Responsibility for others is a notion in someone who takes it upon himself or herself to answer questions about another person's actions. For someone to become responsible for others, they should be ready to offer genuine help to others, create time to meet someone else in person, and discuss any issue of concern. They should also figure out on finding solutions rather than shifting blame (Bennett, 2020).
In the professional field, confidentiality and privacy of data and information are very vital. Depending on the department someone works in, he or she is only allowed to access information and data that is directly related to the duties they perform. Professionals are required to retain vital information and prevent it from leaking to outside persons as per the organization's guidelines.
Regarding the relationship between a counselor and a student or client, a good counselor should be empathetic to their subjects' concerns because it helps clients and students offer more about their emotional struggles. A good counselor should focus on the student or client to get an accurate assessment of their challenges. Besides, a good counselor should be unbiased so that their subjects do not feel judged in any way whatsoever (Swanson, 2014).
Like other professionals, school counselors will consult other colleagues to see if a particular ethical behavior is justifiable. They also discuss in a bid to seek resolutions with their peers who may have unethical behavioral conduct (ASCA, 2016).
A school counselor ought to be in a position to work with minimal supervision. It is an essential trait because it shows that someone is competent and has the self-drive to ensure that his working capacity is top-notch.
Differences between Codes
School counselors have a personal responsibility to follow the ACA code of ethics, unlike other professionals that have their guidelines depending on whether they are based.
School counselors are often careful to say that they are speaking for themselves and not the profession or other counselors when making a personal statement in a public context. The statement means that the norm of taking responsibility for others is not adhered to in this particular scenario.
School counselors always keep in mind that state laws and school board policies control their confidentiality terms about student information and data, unlike in the professional field where confidentiality and privacy are controlled by individual clients (ASCA, 2016).
Counselors' relationships with students are very fragile, and they have stringent boundaries. School counselors are aware that getting romantic or sexual relationships with students is forbidden and punishable by law, whether legal or illegal. In the professional field, when dealing with clients, the rules are not as strict as such. Though it may be a breach of ethical behavior, it does not hold as much gravity as students.
In a school setting, counselors must seek advice from colleagues when handling a case that cannot be judged singlehandedly. In contrast, professional clients are required to maintain a positive relationship with colleagues and study their behaviors because this often determines the type of service they can offer to clients.
It is recommended that school counselors seek an assessment from colleagues to determine their efficacy at work. In contrast, for professional counselors, external compliance firms are often hired to check on their competence and self-drive in performing as required.
For my personal growth, I will ensure that I am responsible for others and be genuinely held accountable for their actions to ensure that I gain their trust and that I am reliable. I will also be tolerant and considerate of other people's feelings and emotions and refrain from being judgmental in a bid to help them out when I am in a position to do so.
As a school counselor, I will observe relationship boundaries and prevent myself from being involved sexually or romantically because I know that it is a breach of ethical behavior. Also, it is punishable by law. I will religiously guard student information like exam results or action from unwarranted parties, not unless advised to do so by the school authority.
References
Bennett, T., 2020. Being Responsible: Makes Your Life Better | Udemy Blog . [online] Udemy
Blog. Available at: <https://blog.udemy.com/being-responsible/> [Accessed 24 June 2020].
Swanson, A., 2014. How To Build A Trusting Counselor Patient Relationship . [online] Lockton
Health Professional Liability Insurance. Available at: <https://locktonmedicalliabilityinsurance.com/build-trusting-counselor-patient-relationship/> [Accessed 24 June 2020].
American Counseling Association (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA:
American Counseling Association.
American School Counselor Association (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors.
Alexandria, VA: American School Counselor Association.
