ASAC Code of Ethics for School Counselors

Paper Summary:

This paper acknowledges there are often times when the ASAC Code of Ethics and what is "legally" right comes into conflict with the counselor's personal values. The counselor is sometimes forced to make a decision that goes against his or her personal values. The ASCA's Ethical Standards for School Counselors were adopted by the ASCA Delegate Assembly, March 19,1984, and were revised on March 27, 1992, June 25, 1998 and June 26, 2004. The author anticipates a difference in ethical practice due to a conflict between personal values and ethical practice in the area of certain confidentiality obligations governing disclosures to the court system that are required when the release of confidential information may potentially harm a student or the counseling relationship. This paper discusses and reflects the authors personal ethical dilemma with the ASAC Code of Ethics and how he plans to deal with the conflict.

Outline:
Introduction
Duties as an ASAC Counselor
Confidentiality Obligations
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"These confidentiality obligations above extend to the circumstances under which a drug abuse program may disclose information about a student's disclosed drug use to the counselor. In this case the disclosure is made only to those individuals within the criminal justice system who have a need for the information in connection with their duty to monitor the patient's progress (e.g., a prosecuting attorney who is withholding charges against the patient, a court granting pretrial or post trial release, probation or parole officers responsible for supervision of the patient). For this disclosure the student must have also signed a written consent that must state the period during which it remains in effect. This period must be reasonable, taking into account both the anticipated length of the treatment and the type of criminal proceeding involved, as well as the need for the information in connection with the final disposition of that proceeding."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American School Counselor Association. (2006). Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Retrieved September 5, 2007, from http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=173.
• Institute of Medicine. (1998). Bridging the Gap Between Practice and Research:Forging Partnerships with Community-Based Drug and Alcohol Treatment. The National Academies Press.
• Toriello, P. & Bershoff, J. (2003). Substance abuse counselors and ethical dilemmas: the influence of recovery and education level. Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling. April 2003.

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