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  1. Home
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  3. Ethics

Archives

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Ethical & Professional Standards - Archives

The American Counseling Association is responsible for providing access to, and interpretation of, the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics. This web page provides ACA members and members of the public with the necessary tools to ensure compliance with the ethical standards of the counseling profession.

Previous Code of Ethics Editions

  • 2005 Code of Ethics
  • 1995 Code of Ethics
  • 1988 Code of Ethics
  • 1981 Code of Ethics
  • 1974 Code of Ethics
  • 1961 Code of Ethics

Ethics Update

Ten Interviews highlighting major changes in the 2005 ACA Code of Ethics

  • Part 1 - The end of 'clear and imminent danger'
  • Part 2 - Romantic/sexual relationships
  • Part 3 - Allowing dual relationships
  • Part 4 - End-of-life care for terminally ill clients
  • Part 5 - A new focus on cultural sensitivity
  • Part 6 - Permission to refrain from making a diagnosis
  • Part 7 - New mandates for selecting interventions
  • Part 8 - New requirement to have a transfer plan
  • Part 9 - Ethical use of technology in counseling
  • Part 10 - Obligations for protecting the confidentiality of the deceased

More Ethics Resources

  • A Practitioner's Guide to Ethical Decision Making
  • State Licensure Boards that have Adopted the ACA Code of Ethics (PDF) (2010)
  • Ethical issues related to conversion or reparative therapy
  • ALGBTIC Competencies (revised 2012)
  • Legal and Ethical Issues Surrounding the Use of Social Media in Counseling (2011) Kaplan, D. M., Wade, M. E., Conteh, J. A., Martz, E. T. 
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