Abstract
This paper describes the professional requirements for substance abuse counselors, their responsibilities and the standards they must uphold. These guidelines are based on the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, which is presented in the paper. The writer points out that substance abuse counseling is a serious and responsible task, and that the counselor must never attempt to misuse his position and take advantage of the situation in order to seek gains for himself. He must follow the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics with the utmost sincerity and caution.

From the Paper
"Counselors must also make sure that they utilize the profession of counseling, and also practice it in such a manner that dignity and respect for the human race is kept in mind at all times, and is therefore, promoted. It must be noted that the Code of Ethics starts with a small introductory passage, in which the issue of what counselors must do in order to maintain discipline and behavior in their profession is discussed. If further goes on to state that when counselors are faced with certain ethical dilemmas that they may find difficult to resolve at that particular time, then they must perforce engage in a "carefully considered decision making process", so that they may be able to find an appropriate solution to the problem at hand. Since it is a fact that everyone has different opinions about one topic, and that there may as many different opinions as here are counselors, there is no specific decision making model that can be deemed the best or the most effective; counselors, according to the American Counselors Association are therefore expected to familiarize themselves with a credible model of decision making that would be able to stand on its own while under public scrutiny. (ACA Code of Ethics: The ACA Governing Council)"

Tags:substance, abuse, drugs, counselling, therapy, counselors, American, Counseling, Association, Code, of, Ethics, addiction

Abstract
This paper explains that, while, the majority of psychologists and counselors would never intentionally harm their clients, they are often put in positions in which the morally correct answer is not entirely cut and dry. The author points out that, in these instances of ethical ambiguity, counselors must make snap decisions in which no action is entirely without its drawback; furthermore, counseling is not an exact science and therefore the counselor must be careful not to do more harm than good. The paper relates that many psychological counselors take a risk management approach to their practice because counselors are constantly faced with situations that challenge their ethics and must always be wary of even the appearance of acting in an unethical manner.

From the Paper
"These situations may apply to a broad range of aspects of the counselor's practice. For instance, a counselor may face an ethical dilemma on a strictly professional level. For example, if the counselor went of vacation and left the hiring of an office assistant to his partners, only to return to discover that the person hired was a former client. This situation may or may not present a professional conflict of interest. There are also situations in which the ethical dilemma is more on a personal level. For example, if the counselor's sister had a troubled son who refused to be counseled by anyone but the counselor himself. This situation would have the potential to have lasting repercussions on the relationships between the counselor and his nephew and sister. A counselor may also face ethical dilemmas which challenge the relationship with the client. For example, a female client who is so overcome by the excitement of having just passed the bar exam comes toward the counselor with open arms and lips puckered. On the one hand, the counselor would want to validate the client's excitement while at the same time avoiding doing anything that might be misconstrued at a later time. Counselors may also be faced with situations that could have legal repercussions."

Tags:ambiguity, lawsuit, risk-management, professional, situations

Abstract
This research proposal outlines the background, theoretical and research foundations, as well as the methodological framework, of a study that will investigate the prevalence of burnout in counselors within the sixteen (16) colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). The writer explains that the construct of burnout for the purposes of this study is defined as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or cynicism and inefficacy of a counselor. While all professions have some level of stress involved, the research quickly emphasizes that school counselors in general and those at 2-year institutions tend to experience inordinately high levels of work-related stress that may contribute to a higher incidence of burnout. This research suggests that there is a distinct difference between counselor burnout as a function of whether or not they deliver services at a 4-year or a 2-year post secondary institution. Further, this research posits that this difference may be directly related to the diversity of the student body at 2-year post- secondary institutions as well as the type of services counselors provide as a result of the vast diversity of the students they serve as well as the broad range of needs these students typically present.

Outline:
Introduction
Background
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Definitions of Terms
Limitations and Assumptions
Summary
Review of Literature
Methodology
References

From the Paper
"Existing research suggests that there may be a significant degree of burnout among the identified population. Further, the research delineates that this prevalence of burnout may be directly related to the diversity of the student body (e.g., older adult, first generation, working full time and/or single parents, etc.) At two-year post secondary institutions as well as the type of services counselors provide to the students they serve. Counselors in 2-year post secondary institutions tend to provide "traditional" academic support and interpersonal counseling. In addition, they frequently have to work with students who are more directly impacted by life stressors which are encapsulated in their effort to balance everyday life, work, and school. To date, there has been very little research specific to the relationship between burnout and counselors employed in technical colleges; therefore, a study to investigate the burnout among technical college counselors seemed appropriate, relevant and timely in order to understand and to address instances of burnout in counselors employed in technical colleges."

Tags:stress, students, counseling, expectation, fatigue

Abstract
The paper addresses the anxiety and inexperience facing new counselors as well as silence during a counseling session. The paper discusses self-disclosure and the need for counselors to be genuine but not too transparent, and the importance of physical and emotional boundary setting. The paper also touches upon transference and countertransference, counselors recognizing their personal limitations, the need to keep confidentiality, the giving of advice and the situation when a client is non-committed. The paper asserts that by being able to recognize the hurdles and having a plan and support system in place, the new counselor will better his chances of succeeding in his new profession.

From the Paper
"Once a student has finished studying how to be an effective counselor, the real challenge begins. There can be great challenges to face once the beginning counselor starts meeting people one on one, and it is important to know that most counselors go through an induction period that can be uncomfortable and even unsettling. These feelings are normal and will become less noticeable as time goes by and the counselor gets more comfortable.
""Because counseling is an intimate form of learning, it demands a practitioner who is willing to shed stereotypes and be an authentic person in the therapeutic relationship." (Corey, pg. 17). Beginning counselors typically enter their new career with mixed feelings about their qualifications and ability to engage in effective counseling relationships. The anxiety a new counselor can feel can sometimes prohibit them from having a comfortable relationship with their client. "The various challenges counselors face in the beginning stages of their career often pertain not only to the counselor's profession but also to his or her own personal attributes." (Issues beginning counselors face, 2009)."

Tags:anxiety, inexperience, self-disclosure, transparency, confidentiality, advice

Abstract
This paper is a copy of a project aimed at improving the significance of high school counselors. The paper explores a manual for secondary school counselors, which will identify and streamline tasks, meaning that counselors will be provided with a clear manual that describes how much time should be spent meeting the individual needs of secondary school students through face-to-face meetings and how much time should be spent doing administrative tasks in the office.

From the Paper
"This lack of a consistent and a clearly defined role for counselors may also have contributed to the reduction in counseling time and increased counseling ratios. According to Meston (2003), the variations in job duties may have led some district and school administrators to question why some tasks have to be done by counselors, as many tasks are being done by other, often less expensive, employees in the schools. The concerns expressed by counselors, therefore, are less a united voice reacting against a single complaint, and more a collection of individual concerns aimed at protecting individual interpretations of their role as counselors."

Tags:education, teacher, student, assistance, children, success

Abstract
An examination into what it takes to become a family and relationship counselor. Several articles are analyzed dealing with the issues and techniques that counselors in this field cope with and use. Systems theory and interpersonal conflict theory are two of the techniques that can be used. The paper addresses one of the issues that clergy are used so often as a means of psychotherapy that psychologists and the clergy should work together to help more people. Another issue addressed is that of counselor ethics. It is becoming a more mandated practice to report any type of child abuse, thus breaking confidentiality and possibly harming the client-therapist relationship. The writer interviews Tim Klopfenstein about his position as a counselor. He shows how this professional wants to help people, but warns that a counselor should know how to help him/herself first.

From the Paper
"Because I plan on pursuing a career in family and relationship counseling I figured that researching what it is that these counselors have to deal with and think about would be productive to achieving my goals. Without actually experiencing what it is that family and relationship counselors do every day, I will never know if I am compatible with that career. However, reading articles and studies about the issues they face and the techniques they use and talking to a person in the profession gave me a vague idea of what I am getting myself into."

Tags:careers, counseling, family, psychology

Abstract
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."

Tags:information, relationships, dilemmas, conflict, values, practice

Abstract
This paper investigates what sorts of ethical dilemmas are currently being faced by school counselors and also what sort of approaches to solving them they have been trained to use. It examines the issue in terms of how it relates to school counselors, students and parents and considers the immense potential for harm vs. the immense potential for abrogation of civil rights.

Table of Contents:
Chapter One--Introduction
Statement of The Problem
Purpose of The Study
Research Questions
Hypotheses
Rationale of Study
Limitations of Study
Definitions
Chapter Two--Literature Review
Definitions of Ethics and Morals
The state of The Research on Counseling Ethics
Most Common Ethical Dilemmas and Failures
Confidentiality and Minors in Counseling Situations
Chapter Three--Methodology
Research Questions
Hypotheses
Participants
Data Collection
Data Analysis

From the Paper
"Mehrhof, Hawes and Ermler (1996) surveyed middle school and secondary school physical education teachers in Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska concerning the educators' perceptions of assistance needed by students and sought from the physical education teacher. Mehrhoff, Hawes and Ermler's results indicated that the most frequent requests for counseling were in the areas of student conflict (98 percent), boyfriend/girlfriend issues (87 percent) and conflicts with parents (87 percent). The three least likely areas for students to request help were with birth control methods (58 percent), criminal behavior (58 percent) and suicidal thoughts (56 percent)."

Tags:ethical, education, students, parents

Abstract
Discusses challenges facing counselors. Their vital role. Human elements vs. testing. Combining tests with client attitudes and statements. Characteristics a good career counselor needs. Role of cultural perspectives in career planning and development. Multicultural factors in today's American society. Cultural pluralism and counseling. Use of multicultural model in counseling strategy.

From the Paper
"If there is any single issue that must be of constant concern to a career counselor, it is that human beings as a group are going to be difficult to fit neatly into the pigeonholes of theory and practice. In any endeavor that involves the human element--from planning war strategy to planning a career--nothing is so certain as the fact that behavior predictions are bound to be uncertain. Were that not he case, there would be no need for the helping professions such as career counseling, psychiatry, or psychology. Were there not profound differences of personality, culture, language, social position, and so on, and were those differences not so difficult to identify, quantify, and analyze, everybody in the helping professions could just go home.
Now of course counselors and psychiatrists and nurses do not ..."

Abstract
The paper explores several areas in which a school counselor can be effective. This includes monitoring group discussions, working with the parents of the students and tracking test results to be sure that students are placed in proper classes according to their interests and abilities.

Outline:
Resources
Using the Resources
Methods That Can be Used
Addressing Specific Issues

From the Paper
"Many schools including this one, use standardized testing to determine not only what the student has learned in the past, but also to determine what would be an appropriate grade level or class level for them to move to next(Marshall, 2004). For example, a student that consistently places in the 95 percentile or higher on standardized testing in math, would most likely become bored in a standard math class. Therefore, using this resource as one indicator that the student may benefit from advanced placement classes, is one way that the counselor can help improve academic achievement of the students(State, 1999)."

Tags:guidance, resources, support, truancy, testing, social, interaction