Ethical And Cultural Considerations In Counseling Research

 

For your discussion this week, put on your clinician hat and dig into the Code of Ethics (ACA, 2014).  The lens through which you should approach the code is with consideration for the use of empirical evidence or counseling research in counseling practice. There is one entire section of the code that is designated to conducting research, but you should look beyond section G and identify one standard that relates to the use of research in counseling work.  It won’t be hard as evidence based practice is threaded throughout the code.

For example, in the ACA Ethics Code (2014) Section C.2.d. emphasis is placed on clinician’s monitoring their effectiveness. The standard states “Counselors continually monitor their effectiveness as professionals and take steps to improve when necessary. Counselors take reasonable steps to seek peer supervision to evaluate their efficacy as counselors” (p. 8).This ethical standard has implications both in assessing the effectiveness of your own counseling practice and in your ability to accurately interpret and apply counseling research. Consider your obligation to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment you provide and to make changes if necessary.

Now, take a look at the Code of Ethics with consideration for how it applies to the use of research in your counseling practice. I would recommend that you develop your main post around these headings:

Ethical Standard

In this section, analyze the Code of Ethics and then explain which one you selected, cite the code by section/number and explain how it is related to evidence-based practice or the use of research in counseling. (Do not use a code from Section G)

Implications for Practice

Explain the implications of the code for you as a counselor in your chosen discipline.

Summary

Wrap up your post by summarizing the importance of using research to support your counseling work and how the ACA ethics code promotes evidence-based practice.

References

Make sure you cite the ethics code in your references as well as your course resources or scholarly sources to support the development of your post.