Profession orientation and Ethics

Question 1

Some states provide recognition as a

Answer 1

registered counselor.

Question 2

The ethical practice of counseling can occur on two levels:

mandatory ethics and aspirational ethics.

Answer 2

Mandatory ethics focuses on compliance with minimal standards of laws and ethicalcodes. Counselors who focus only on mandatory ethics may be vulnerable to denial,
distortion, discounting, or dismissing of ethical questions and issues

The second level is a more ethically sophisticated level referred to as aspirational ethics. When counselors practice aspirational ethics, they practice the highest standards of conduct and demonstrate an understanding of the spirit behind the code and the principles underlying the code rather than simply meeting the letter of the code

Question 3

The current ACA code of ethics is in its fifth version since it was first adopted in 1961. In 1995, the ethical standards of the association were presented in two separate
documents—

Answer 3

mandatory ethics and aspirational ethics.

Question 4

Mandatory Ethics

Answer 4

focuses on compliance with minimal standards of laws and ethical codes. Counselors who focus only on mandatory ethics may be vulnerable to denial, distortion, discounting, or dismissing of ethical questions and issues

Question 5

Aspirational Ethics

Answer 5

The second level is a more ethically sophisticated level referred to as aspirational ethics. When counselors practice aspirational ethics, they practice the highest standards of conduct and demonstrate an understanding of the spirit behind the code and the principles underlying the code rather than simply meeting the letter of the code

Question 6

The Standards of Practice and The Codes of Ethics

Answer 6

The current ACA code of ethics is in its fifth version since it was first adopted in 1961. In 1995, the ethical standards of the association were presented in two separate
documents.

Question 7

The Standards of Practice

Answer 7

are relatively brief and focus on minimal behaviors required by professional counselors (mandatory ethics).

Question 8

The Code of Ethics

Answer 8

is a lengthier, more detailed description of standards of practice and includes statements reflecting the ideals of the profession (aspirational ethics)

Question 9

Scope of practice

Answer 9

refers to “a recognized area of proficiency or competence gained through appropriate education and experience” State licensingstatutes typically specify the scope of practice for the profession.
 An individual’s scope of practice is usually narrower than the professional scope of practice and
is based on the individual’s specific skills, training, and experience

Question 10

Advantages and Disadvantages of Private Practice

Answer 10

Advantages include:
 1. autonomy,
2. client follow-through, and
3. caseload control.
Counselors working in public agencies rarely have these advantages.

Disadvantages to private practice include:

1. fluctuating income,
2. isolation, and
3. multiple responsibilities involved in providing client care as well as running a business.

Question 11

The Setting of Fees

Answer 11

In addition, fees must be set that not only reflect what the market will tolerate, but alsoestablish a fiduciary relationship based on fairness. Counselors may set whatever fees they choose, however, the ACA Code of
Ethics makes clear that in no way should counselors be discriminatory in setting fees

Question 12

The Setting of Fees

sliding scale fee structure

Answer 12

establishes the fee based on the amount of income the client generates or the size of their family or some
other objective criteria. If the private practice counselor chooses this kind of fee policy, he or she must apply it to everyone, including those who receivehealth insurance reimbursement. To do otherwise would be a fraudulent practice that could lead to serious legal consequences. The sliding scale fee structure is controversial with some arguing that it is discriminatory against individuals
based on socioeconomic status

Question 13

Missed Appointments and Pro Bono Work

Answer 13

Additional policies that the counselor needs to establish regarding fees include whether or not missed appointments will be billed to the client and circumstances in which the counselor will work pro bono publico, or for the public good without a fee. The counselor is expected at times to donate some of his or her services at no fee (or minimal fee). The ACA Code of Ethics
states, “Counselors contribute to society by devoting a portion of their professional activity to services for which there is little or no financial return (pro bono)” (ACA Code of Ethics, 1995). A counselor may be ethically compelled to give pro bono services to a client when the client can no longer pay or when the insurance company refuses to pay for services and serious issues of the client’s welfare are imminent.

Question 14

Forms of Managed Care

Managed care can take a number of forms. Various organizations participate in managed care and include:

Answer 14

a. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs), which use a restrictedgroup of providers to provide specified services at a fixed cost,
b. Preferred provider organizations (PPOs), which purchase services from specific providers at a reduced rate, and
c. Independent practice associations (IPAs), which allows consumers tochoose independent practitioners and see them in their offices rather than in an HMO facility