Discussion 2: Compare And Contrast Ethical Standards

Discussion 2 Compare And Contrast Ethical Standardsno Unread Replies

Ethical standards are essential to the helping professions because they define acceptable conduct, specify areas of expertise, and can protect the client from harm. In this discussion, you will compare and contrast the ethical standards for human services with the ethical standards for one other profession, based on the first letter of your last name. Navigate to the National Organization for Human Services Ethical Standards for Human Services Professionals. Research the ethical standards for your additional assigned professional association.

If your last name starts with the letters S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, or Z, you will review The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Your initial post must be a minimum of 150 words. First, provide a brief description of the organizations you will compare and contrast. Second, identify and discuss what you believe to be the two most important similarities and the two most significant differences between the sets of standards. Be sure to justify your response and provide examples to support your argument.

Finally, please note that your initial post should be at least 150 words and should both cite and reference the information you use from all sources in APA style. Peer Reply Posts- We will have a discussion in class (do not reply to classmates) Critique the responses of least two students who were assigned different ethical standards than you by suggesting at least one other similarity and one difference that you see as more important than the ones offered in their posts. Be sure to justify your responses. Your replies should be a minimum of 150 words each, and should both cite and reference the information you use from all sources in APA style. Instructions Compare and contrast ethical standards for Human Services, School Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychologists, and Social Work. Use correct APA style citation and documentation for your discussion. Students should complete their assigned readings and consult the Discussion Board Rubric before posting on the discussion. Read the comments of others in your class before you post. Students must reply to at least 2 peer posts. Grading This assignment is worth 75 points toward your final grade and will be graded using the Discussion Rubric.

Paper For Above instruction

Ethical standards serve as a foundational guideline within helping professions to ensure responsible, professional, and ethical conduct. They protect clients from harm, uphold the integrity of the profession, and foster trust between practitioners and clients. In this analysis, I will compare and contrast the ethical standards of the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) and the American Counseling Association (ACA), particularly focusing on human services professionals and school counselors, respectively. Both sets of standards emphasize client welfare, confidentiality, and professional competence, but they differ in scope and specific emphasis based on their respective professional roles.

The National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) articulates ethical standards that emphasize respect for clients' dignity, social justice, and the importance of cultural competence. It underscores principles such as promoting client autonomy, maintaining confidentiality, and engaging in lifelong learning to better serve diverse populations (NOHS, 2015). Similarly, the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics stresses confidentiality, client welfare, and professional responsibility, highlighting the importance of creating a safe environment where clients can explore their concerns (ACA, 2014). Both organizations prioritize the well-being of clients and the importance of ethical practice; however, the scope of NOHS encompasses a broader view of social justice and cultural competence, whereas ACA standards mostly focus on the counselor-client relationship and therapeutic practice.

One of the most significant similarities between the two sets of standards is their commitment to safeguarding client confidentiality. Both standards explicitly mandate that practitioners must protect client information unless legally or ethically required to disclose. For example, in both codes, breach of confidentiality without client consent can result in disciplinary action or loss of licensure (NOHS, 2015; ACA, 2014). This shared emphasis on confidentiality underscores its central role in fostering trust and openness in helping relationships.

Another crucial similarity is the obligation of professionals to demonstrate competence and engage in ongoing ethical education. Both NOHS and ACA advocate for continuous professional development to ensure practitioners remain informed about evolving ethical considerations and best practices. This commitment is vital as it directly impacts the quality of care and ethical standards upheld in practice (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2020).

Despite these similarities, key differences manifest in the scope and focus of their standards. The NOHS standards integrate core social justice principles, emphasizing advocacy, respect for diversity, and social equity. This reflects the profession’s broader commitment to societal change and systemic issues affecting clients. Conversely, the ACA standards primarily concentrate on direct counseling relationships, therapeutic techniques, and individual client welfare, emphasizing confidentiality and competence within the counseling context (ACA, 2014).

Furthermore, while NOHS emphasizes cultural competence and social justice as central to ethical practice, the ACA does include cultural considerations but often frames them within the context of clinical practice and competence development. For example, ACA's guidelines include culturally appropriate interventions, but they do not explicitly frame advocacy and social justice as core ethical principles to the same extent as NOHS (Pope & Vasquez, 2016). This difference highlights the broader social orientation of NOHS compared to the more focused clinical orientation of ACA standards.

In conclusion, while both NOHS and ACA uphold fundamental principles like confidentiality and professional competence, their emphasis diverges due to their specific professional missions. NOHS’s focus on social justice and advocacy complements its dedication to systemic change and cultural respect, whereas ACA's standards prioritize therapeutic relationships and direct client care. Understanding these similarities and differences enables practitioners to navigate ethical practice effectively within their respective roles, ensuring they serve clients ethically and competently across diverse contexts.

References

  • American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
  • Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2020). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (10th ed.). Brooks Cole.
  • National Organization for Human Services. (2015). Ethical standards for human services professionals. https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethics
  • Pope, K. S., & Vasquez, M. J. T. (2016). Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide (5th ed.). Wiley.

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