POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO MEMBERS’ REQUESTS FOR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS

 

Section A: Appropriate Requests

1.                  Counselors may request that the Ethics Committee issue formal interpretations of the ASACB Code of Ethics for the purpose of guiding the counselor’s own professional behavior.

2.                  Counselor may request that the Ethics Committee determine if the behavior of another counselor is unethical. In the event an ASACB member believes the behavior of another counselor is unethical, the ASACB member should resolve the issue directly with the professional, if possible, and should file an ethical complaint if appropriate.

Section B: Procedures

1.                  Counselors must send written requests for interpretations to the Ethics Committee through the ASACB office.

2.                  Questions should be submitted in the following format: “Does (counselor behavior) violate Sections                                    or any other sections of the ASACB Ethical Standards?” Questions should avoid unique details, be general in nature to the extent possible, and be brief.

3.                  The ASACB administrator will revise the question, if necessary, and submit it to the Committee Co-Chair for approval.

4.                  The question will be sent to Ethics Committee members who will be asked to respond individually.

5.                  The Ethics Committee Co-Chair will develop a consensus interpretation on behalf of the Ethics Committee.

6.                  The consensus interpretation will be sent to members of the Ethics Committee for final approval.

7.                  The formal interpretation will be sent to the counselor who submitted the inquiry. The question and the formal interpretation will be published in the ASACB newsletter, but the identity of the counselor requesting the interpretation will not be disclosed.