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1. Being an Ethical
Career Counselor
EDP 666
Career Counseling
Keisha Love, Ph.D.

2. Why do we need ethical guidelines?
 PROTECT THE WELFARE OF THE
CLIENT
– Address moral issues of the counselor-client
relationship
– Ensure counselor competence
– Set the standards for proper, professional
conduct
– Minimize violations of trust and care

3. Ethical Issues
 National Career Development Association
(NCDA) Ethical Standards Revised 2003
– http://www.ncda.org/pdf/EthicalStandards.p
df
– Section A: General
– Section B: Counseling Relationship
– Section C: Measurement & Evaluation
– Section D: Research & Publication
– Section E: Consulting
– Section F: Private Practice

4. Ethical Issues
 Major Points
– Practice within the boundaries of your
competence
 Look at sample violations on pg. 252 & 253
– Confidentiality
 Privacy is a key element of the counseling
relationship
 Section B addresses confidentiality
 Look at the sample violations on pg. 254 & 255

5. Ethical Issues
 Informed Consent
 Welfel (2002): What should informed
consent cover?
– Goals, techniques, procedures, limitations,
risks, & benefits of counseling
– Ways in which diagnoses, tests, and written
reports will be used
– Fees and billing

6. Welfel (2002)
 Confidentiality rights & limitations
 Involvement of supervisors or additional
health professionals (if applicable)
 Counselor’s training status
 Client’s access to records
 Client’s right to engage in or withdrawal
from counseling
 Client’s right to ask questions
 Others??????

7. Ethical Issues
 Measurement and Evaluation
– Section C of NCDA
 Key Points
– Administer tests within your bounds of
competence
– Explain the purpose of testing
– Use tests that are valid and reliable
– Ensure that computer-generated assessments
are functioning properly

8. Ethical Issues
 Measurement and Evaluation
– Use tests that are appropriate for the
population in which they will be used (if the
population is not represented in the norm
sample, use caution when interpreting the
results)
– Avoid the use of outdated or obsolete tests
when possible
– Interpret findings in a way that the client can
understand

9. Ethical Issues
 The Internet and Career Development
– Guidelines for the use of the Internet for the
provision providing career information and
planning services according to the NCDA
– Pg. 259
 Peer Counselors
– Are appropriate to use as long as they adhere
to the ethical standards of professionals and
clients are informed that they will be helped
by their peers

10. Other Resources
 American Counseling Association
– http://www.counseling.org/
 American Psychological Association
ethical guidelines
– http://www.apa.org/ethics/code.html
 Guidelines for the Use of the Internet for
the Provision of Career Information and
Planning Services
– http://ncda.org/about/polnet.html

11.  Questions or Comments