The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) provides national certifications that recognize individuals who have voluntarily met standards for general and specialty areas of counseling practice. Counselors certified by NBCC may also identify with different professional associations and are often licensed by jurisdictions that promulgate standards of behavior. Regardless of any other affiliation, this Code of Ethics is applicable to all NBCC applicants and National Certified Counselors (NCCs).
This Code establishes the minimum ethical behaviors and provides an expectation of and assurance for the ethical practice for all who use the professional services of NCCs. Furthermore, it provides an enforceable set of directives and assures a resource for those served in the case of a perceived violation.
NCCs are required to adhere to all of the directives.
Sanctions of applicants and credential holders under this Code are issued by NBCC only if the provisions of the NBCC Code of Ethics are found to have been violated.
Client’s records refer to the clinical records of individuals receiving counseling or treatment from an NCC. The contents often vary depending on setting (e.g., school, private practice, etc.) and state regulations. Clients may request copies of their records.
Clinical supervision refers to a professional activity in which a more skilled provider guides the services of a less experienced provider. Clinical supervision promotes the development of counseling skills while protecting the well-being of the client.
In this code, the term supervisor is used to refer to those professionals who provide clinical supervision services; supervisees are the recipients of the supervision.
Consultation refers to a professional exchange between service providers related to a specific client. Consultation may also occur with professionals outside of the counseling profession, such as a primary physician or other mental health provider about a specific client.
Consultation differs from collaborative work in that collaborating counselors may discuss general situations with other counselors or specialized service providers. The key difference is that no identifying client information is provided during collaboration. Examples of collaboration include professional discussions concerning the effective treatments of adolescents grieving the loss of a parent.
Counseling service agreements are required written agreements between NCCs and clients , which explains the terms of the counseling relationship.
Counseling service agreements provide specific information regarding:
The purposes of specific counseling services (addressing a specific client goal, assessment, evaluation, etc.)
The goals identified and agreed to by both the client and counselor in order to achieve the specific purpose of counseling services
Important procedures regarding the process (e.g., confidential methods to contact the counselor, social media usage, etc.)
Limitations, potential risks and benefits of services and techniques
Client’s rights and responsibilities (e.g. billing arrangements, collection procedures in the event of nonpayment, etc.)
Confidentiality and its limitations
Records (e.g., how the client may obtain a copy, practical timeframes for receiving information, etc.)
Service termination process
A court order is a document issued by a judge which directs a person involved in a lawsuit to do something or refrain from doing something. Subpoenas that are issued by someone other than a judge (e.g. clerk of court or an attorney) are not court orders.
Counseling credentials are designations issued to individuals who meet specified qualifications. Professional and educational credentials help the public identify individuals who have met certain qualifications. Some examples in counseling include:
Educational:
M.Ed. – Master’s of Education in Counseling
M.S. – Masters of Science in Counseling
Ph.D – Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling
Ed.D. – Doctor of Education in Counseling
Professional:
NCC – National Certified Counselor
CCMHC – Clinical Mental Health Counselor
MAC – Master Addictions Counselor
NCSC – National Certified School Counselor
Practice/Licensure: (Terminology varies by state)
LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor
LCPC – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
LMHC – Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LPCS – Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
A crisis is an extreme emotional event typically marked by the sudden onset of an overwhelming problem which exceeds the psychological resources of the individual. These situations may represent a threat of harm to the individual or others.
Date of counseling service termination is:
The date when professional services were terminated by agreement between the counselor and the client.
OR
The date when the client was last provided services by the counselor because the client stopped attending or participating in services without notice to the counselor (self-termination).
“The date when the counselor terminates the counseling relationship, consistent with legal and ethical requirements.”
Deceptive techniques occur when a participant is not made fully aware of, or is misinformed about, a research activity.
Digital technology refers to the use of devices which store information electronically, including computers, televisions and cell phones.
A forensic evaluation is a specific service provided by some counselors involving the assessment of an individual and their functioning, usually related to a legal proceeding. A forensic evaluation may be requested by a court.
Intellectual property refers to original work of an individual or organization including trademarks and material that is subject to copyright or patent protection.
Harmful multiple relationships occur when the counselor maintains multiple relationships with a client, including a relationship outside of the counselor-client relationship. Such relationships also occur when there is a relationship between a counselor, a client, and another party related to the client (such as a family member or friend of a client). These types of relationships are likely to either impair the counseling relationship or may reasonably be expected to jeopardize the confidentiality of the client’s information.
All policies, rules, standards, and requirements adopted by NBCC, including policies related to the disclosure of legal, criminal and professional disciplinary matters, the Code of Ethics, Distance Professional Services, and application and recertification agreements.
These policies may be accessed on the NBCC Web site.
A non-counseling relationship is any relationship that does not involve the provision of professional counseling services. Examples include:
When a client becomes a service provider for the counselor (e.g., the client provides home remodeling services to the counselor)
When the counselor assumes an evaluative role with respect to the client (e.g., supervisor, teacher)
Social interactions or friendships between counselors and clients
Nonmonetary compensation refers to goods or services exchanged with a client for counseling services. Examples include a client painting the counselor’s house or providing catering services to the counselor.
Practical timeframe refers to the time period in which a client should be provided with a copy of his or her counseling record, after requesting such record. Clients may request a copy of their records during or following the service relationship. Timeframe of delivery may vary according to request type, timing, and state law requirements.
Products created by a counselor and offered to a client in a therapeutic relationship, including assessments/tests, books, audio or visual tapes, games, and stress-balls.
Presentations made by an NCC to the public and/or other professionals, including conferences and published materials.
A reasonable person is a person who acts sensibly, does things without serious delay, and takes proper but not excessive precautions.
Source: Black’s Law Dictionary
Referral is a professional action in which a client is directed to another provider. Examples of when a referral may occur are at the client’s request, when the client is no longer making progress toward identified goals, or to obtain specialized services.
The Council for Higher Education and Accreditation (CHEA) is an association of degree-granting colleges and universities, and recognizes institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations.
The six regional accrediting organizations recognized by CHEA are:
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
For more information about CHEA, visit www.chea.org
Sexual or romantic intimacy relates to physical or emotional contacts between a counselor and client of a sexual or romantic nature. Examples include frequent personal communications (e.g., phone, electronic, etc.) where personal sexual or romantic information is shared; the discussion of attraction towards one another; touching or fondling; oral or sexual intercourse.
Social media refers to digital technology that allows users to interactively communicate through Internet applications and Web based software. Examples include Twitter, Facebook, Skype and YouTube.
Tests or assessments refer to standardized and non-standardized instruments which help professionals gather information and evaluate functioning. Information gathered may include abilities, attitudes, aptitudes, and/or social and relational functioning. Test and assessment results help in assessment of client functioning as well as the development and evaluation of treatment.
For additional information, please refer to the Fair Access Coalition on Testing, www.fairaccess.org.
Written consent or authorization refers to a written statement from the client authorizing the counselor to do a specified action, such as release counseling information.