Assessment in Marriage and Family Counseling

Ethics

Ethical Code for the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors

Bret Hendricks 1 , Loretta J. Bradley

1 , Stephen Southern

2 ,

Marvarene Oliver 3 , and Bobbie Birdsall

4

Abstract The Board of Directors of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC) requested the IAMFC Ethics Committee to revise the IAMFC Ethical Code (2006). The revised Ethical Code of the IAMFC focuses on current issues in marriage and family counseling. The Ethical Code of IAMFC (2011), which appears in the following article, has been approved by the Board of Directors of IAMFC and the American Counseling Association and is consistent with the current Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association (2005).

Keywords ethical code, ethics, couples and family counseling, marriage and family counseling, counseling relationship

Preamble

The International Association of Marriage and Family

Counselors (IAMFC) is an organization dedicated to advancing

practice, training, and research in couple and family counsel-

ing. Members may specialize in areas such as premarital coun-

seling, couple counseling, family counseling, sex counseling,

intergenerational counseling, separation and divorce counsel-

ing, relocation counseling, custody evaluation, and parenting

training. Couple and family counselors may work with special

populations, including stepfamilies, nontraditional couples and

family systems, multicultural couples and families, disadvan-

taged families, and dual-career couples. In conducting their

professional activities, members commit themselves to protect

family relationships and advocate for the healthy growth and

development of the family as a whole and each member’s

unique needs, while advocating for the counseling profession

and the professionalism of counselors. IAMFC members recog-

nize that the relationship between the provider and consumer of

services is characterized as professional. However, IAMFC

members should remain informed of social and cultural trends

as well as scientific and technological changes affecting the

foundation of the professional counseling relationship.

This code of ethics provides a framework for ethical prac-

tices by IAMFC members and other professionals engaged in

couple and family counseling. It is divided into the following

nine sections: the counseling relationship and client

well-being, confidentiality and privacy, competence and profes-

sional responsibilities, collaboration and professional relation-

ships, assessment and evaluation, counselor education and

supervision, research and publication, ethical decision making

and resolution, and diversity. The observations and recommen-

dations presented within these nine areas above are meant to

supplement the current ethical standards of the American Coun-

seling Association. Although an ethical code cannot antici-

pate every possible situation or dilemma, the IAMFC

ethical guidelines can assist members in insuring the welfare

and dignity of the couples and families who seek services.

The ethical code of the IAMFC incorporates the ethics of

principles and virtues. The IAMFC Ethical code articulates

some specific principles and guidelines which protect consu-

mers from potentially harmful practices, thereby empowering

professionals to maintain high standards for effective practice.

The IAMFC Ethical Code also addresses the character of the

professional couple and family counselor. Ethics of character

or virtue contribute to professional aspirations and values. Each

of the nine sections includes aspirations and principles.

1 Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, Texas Tech

University, Lubbock, TX, USA 2 Department of Counseling and Psychology, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS,

USA 3 Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Texas A & M

University–Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA 4 Counselor Education Department, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA

Corresponding Author:

Bret Hendricks, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, Texas

Tech University, COE Box 41071, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA

Email: [email protected]

The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 19(2) 217-224 ª The Author(s) 2011 Reprints and permission: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1066480711400814 http://tfj.sagepub.com

at CAPELLA UNIVERSITY on March 8, 2016tfj.sagepub.comDownloaded from

Section A: The Counseling Relationship and Client Well-Being

Couple and family counselors contribute to the healthy devel-

opment and evolution of family systems. They are committed

to understanding problems and learning needs from multiple

contexts. Couple and family counselors, in particular, embrace

models of practice based on family dynamics and systems.

Professional counselors realize that their perspectives influence

the conceptualization of problems, identification of clients, and

implementation of possible solutions. Couple and family counse-

lors examine personal biases and values. They actively attempt to

understand and serve couples and families from diverse cultural

backgrounds. Professional couple and family counselors are will-

ing to remove barriers to the counseling relationship, act as

responsible public servants, and become involved in advocacy

in the best interests of couples and families.

1. Couple and family counselors demonstrate caring, empa-

thy, and respect for client well-being. They promote

safety, security, and sense of community for couples and

families. Due to potential risks involved, couple and fam-

ily counselors should not use intrusive interventions with-

out sound theoretical rationale, research support, and

clinical consultation or supervision.

2. Couple and family counselors recognize that each family

is unique. Couple and family counselors do not promote

bias and stereotyping regarding family roles and

functions.

3. Couple and family counselors respect the autonomy of

the families with whom they work. They do not make

decisions that rightfully belong to family members. When

indicated and possible, couple and family counselors

share client’s clinical impressions and recommendations,

decision-making processes, problem-solving strategies,

and intervention outcomes with clients.

4. Couple and family counselors respect cultural diversity.

They do not discriminate or condone discrimination on

the basis of race, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual

orientation, cultural background, national origin, marital

status, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status.

5. Couple and family counselors promote open, honest, and

direct relationships with consumers of professional ser-

vices. Couple and family counselors inform clients about

the goals of counseling, qualifications of the counselor(s),

limits of confidentiality, potential risks, and benefits associ-

ated with specific techniques, duration of treatment, costs of

services, appropriate alternatives to couple and family

counseling, and reasonable expectations for outcomes.

6. Couple and family counselors promote primary preven-

tion. They advocate for the development of clients’ cog-

nitive, moral, social, emotional, spiritual, physical,

educational, relational, and vocational skills. Couple and

family counselors promote effective couple and family

communication and facilitate problem-solving skills

needed to prevent future problems.

7. Couple and family counselors have an obligation to deter-

mine and inform counseling participants who are identi-

fied as the primary client. The couple and family

counselor should make clear to clients if they have any

obligations to an individual, a couple, a family, a third

party, or an institution.

8. Couple and family counselors who are IAMFC members

have a professional duty to monitor their places of

employment, making recommendations so that the envi-

ronment is conducive to the positive growth and develop-

ment of clients. When there is a conflict of interest

between the needs of the client and counselor’s employ-

ing institution, the IAMFC member works to clarify his or

her commitment to all parties. IAMFC members recog-

nize that the acceptance of employment implies agree-

ment with the policies and practices of the agency or

institution.

9. Couple and family counselors do not harass, exploit,

coerce, or manipulate clients for personal gain. Couple

and family counselors avoid, whenever possible, multiple

relationships such as business, social, or sexual contacts

with any current clients or their family members. Couple

and family counselors should refrain generally from non-

professional relationships with former clients and their

family members because termination of counseling is a

complex process.

10. Couple and family counselors are responsible for demon-

strating there is no harm from any relationship with a cli-

ent or family member. The key element in this ethical

principle is the avoidance of exploitation of vulnerable

clients.

11. Couple and family counselors have an obligation to with-

draw from a counseling relationship if the continuation of

services would not be in the best interest of the client or

would result in a violation of ethical standards. If the

counseling relationship is no longer helpful or productive,

couple and family counselors have an obligation to assist

in locating alternative services and making referrals as

needed.

12. Couple and family counselors do not abandon clients.

They arrange for appropriate termination of counseling

relationships and transfer of services as indicated.

13. Couple and family counselors maintain accurate and up-

to-date records. They make all file information available

to clients unless there is compelling evidence that such

access would be harmful to the client. In situations involv-

ing multiple clients, couple and family counselors provide

individual clients with parts of records related directly to

them, protecting confidential information related to other

clients who have not authorized release. Couple and fam-

ily counselors include sufficient and timely documenta-

tion in client records to facilitate delivery of services and

referral to other professionals as needed.

14. Couple and family counselors establish fees that are rea-

sonable and customary depending upon the scope and

location of their practices. Couple and family counselors

218 The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 19(2)

at CAPELLA UNIVERSITY on March 8, 2016tfj.sagepub.comDownloaded from

in community agencies, schools, and other public settings

do not solicit gifts or charge fees for services that are

available in the counselor’s employing agency or

institution.

15. Culturally sensitive couple and family counselors recog-

nize that gifts are tokens of respect and gratitude in some

cultures. Couple and family counselors may receive gifts

or participate in family rituals that promote healthy inter-

action and do not exploit clients.

16. Couple and family counselors maintain ethical and effec-

tive practices as they address the benefits and limitations

of technological innovations and cultural changes. Coun-

seling may be conducted or assisted by telephones, com-

puter hardware and software, and other communication

technologies. Technology-assisted distance counseling

services may expand the scope and influence of couple

and family counseling. However, counselors are respon-

sible for developing competencies in the use of new tech-

nologies and safeguarding private and confidential

information.

17. When a conflict of values arises which inhibits the cou-

ples and family counselor’s professionalism and/or objec-

tivity in the counseling relationship, the couples and

family counselor should refer the couple or family being

served to another qualified counselor. Additionally, it is

recommended that the counselor obtain supervision or

counseling to address any issue that may inhibit the coun-

selor’s effective practice.

Section B: Confidentiality and Privacy

Couple and family counselors recognize that trust is the foun-

dation of an effective counseling relationship. Professional

counselors maintain appropriate boundaries so that clients rea-

sonably expect that information shared will not be disclosed to

others without prior written consent. Due to the nature of cou-

ple and family counseling, safeguards must be established in

the counseling process to insure privacy of client disclosures

without contributing to dysfunctional family secrets. Clients

have the right to know the limits of confidentiality, privacy, and

privileged communication, including the fact that family mem-

bers may themselves disclose counseling-related information

outside counseling. Thus, couples and family counselors

should inform clients that while confidentiality may be main-

tained by the counselor, the counselor has no control over infor-

mation that family members may share with one another.

Therefore, in these instances, confidentiality, while desired,

may not be guaranteed.

1. Couple and family counselors may disclose private infor-

mation to others under specific circumstances known to the

individual client or client family members. Ideally, the

client consents to disclosure by signing an authorization

to release information. Each person receiving counseling

who is legally competent to sign a waiver of right to con-

fidentiality should execute an authorization. The

authorization should be time limited, consistent with legal

statutes, and limited to the scope agreed to by the counselor

and client. The client may rescind or withdraw the

authorization.

2. Couple and family counselors inform parents and legal

guardians about the confidential nature of the counseling

relationship. When working with minor or juvenile clients,

as well as adult clients who lack the capacity to authorize

release of confidential information, couple and family

counselors seek consent from the appropriate custodial

parent or guardian to disclose information.

3. Couple and family counselors inform clients of exceptions

to the general principle that information will be kept con-

fidential or released only upon written client authorization.

Disclosure of private information may be mandated by

state law. For example, states require reporting of sus-

pected abuse of children or other vulnerable populations.

Couple and family counselors may have sound legal or

ethical justification for disclosing information if someone

is in imminent danger. A court may have jurisdiction to

order release of confidential information without a client’s

permission. However, all releases of information not

authorized by clients should be minimal or narrow as pos-

sible to limit potential harm to the counseling relationship.

4. Couple and family counselors inform clients who may

have access to their counseling records, as well as any

information that may be released for third-party payment

or insurance reimbursement. State and federal laws may

affect record keeping and release of information from

client records.

5. Couple and family counselors store records in a way that

protects confidentiality. Written records should be kept

in a locked file drawer or cabinet and computerized record

systems should have appropriate passwords and safeguards

to prevent unauthorized entry.

6. Couple and family counselors inform clients if sessions are

to be recorded on tape or digital media and obtain written

consent authorizing recording for particular purposes.

When more than one person is receiving counseling, all

persons who are legally competent must give informed

consent in writing for the recording.

Couple and family counselors inform clients that statements

made by a family member to the counselor during an individual

counseling, consultation, or collateral contact are to be treated

as confidential. Such statements are not disclosed to other family

members without the individual’s permission. However, the cou-

ple and family counselor should clearly identify the client of

counseling, which may be the couple or family system, and

inform clients in writing who(m) the identified client is. Couple

and family counselors should inform clients that they do not

maintain family secrets, collude with some family members

against others, or otherwise contribute to dysfunctional family

system dynamics. If a client’s refusal to share information from

individual contacts interferes with the agreed goals of counseling,

the counselor may terminate treatment and refer the clients to

Hendricks et al. 219

at CAPELLA UNIVERSITY on March 8, 2016tfj.sagepub.comDownloaded from

another counselor. Some couple and family counselors choose to

not meet with individuals, preferring to serve family systems.

1. Couple and family counselors provide reasonable access to

counseling records when requested by competent clients. In

situations involving multiple clients, counselors provide only

the records directly related to a particular individual,

protecting confidential information related to any other

client.

2. Couple and family counselors provide reasonable access to

counseling records of minor children when requested by

parents or guardians having legal rights to custody and

health decision making. However, counselors do not

become embroiled in custody disputes or parent and child

conflicts occasioned by records release. Professional coun-

selors attempt to protect the counseling relationship with

children by suggesting limits to disclosure appropriate to

the particular situation.

3. Couples and family counselors keep counseling records fol-

lowing the termination of counseling services so that there

is reasonable access to the records in the future, maintaining

the records in accordance with state and federal statutes and

applicable accreditation standards. Couples and family

counselors should also follow the recommended procedures

for records access and retention outlined by the American

Counseling Association Code of Ethics.

4. Couples and family counselors take reasonable precautions

to ensure clients’ access to records and client confidential-

ity in the event of a counselor’s death or incapacitation.

Additionally, couples and family counselors are encour-

aged to have a written plan, such as a professional will,

specifying individuals who take charge of client records

if the couples and family counselor terminates his/her

practice for any reason.

5. Couple and family counselors maintain privacy and confi-

dentiality in research, publication, case consultation,

teaching, supervision, and other professional activities.

Ideally, counselors secure informed consent and authoriza-

tion to release information in all professional activities.

Section C: Competence and Professional Responsibilities

Couple and family counselors aspire to maintain competency

through initial training, ongoing supervision and consultation,

and continuing education. They have responsibilities to abide

by this ethical code as well as other professional codes related

to professional identity and group membership. In particular,

couple and family counselors should become active in profes-

sional associations such as the IAMFC and the American

Counseling Association and encourage beneficial changes in

professionals and the counseling profession.

1. Couple and family counselors have the responsibility to

develop and maintain basic skills in couple and family

counseling through graduate training, supervision, and

consultation. An outline of these skills is provided by the

current Council for Accreditation of Counseling and

Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Standards for

Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling.

2. Couple and family counselors recognize the need for

familiarizing themselves with new developments in the

field of couple and family counseling. They pursue

continuing education afforded by books, journals,

courses, workshops, conferences, and conventions.

3. Couple and family counselors accurately represent their

education, expertise, training, and experience. Profes-

sional counselors objectively represent their professional

qualifications, skills, and specialties to the public. Mem-

bership in a professional organization, including IAMFC,

is not used to suggest competency.

4. Couple and family counselors insure that announcements or

advertisements of professional services focus on objective

information that enables the client to make informed deci-

sions. Providing information, such as highest relevant aca-

demic degree, licenses or certifications, office hours, types

of services offered, fee structure, and languages spoken, can

help clients select couple and family counselors.

5. Couple and family counselors do not attempt to diagnose

or treat problems beyond the scope of their training and

abilities. They do not engage in specialized counseling

interventions or techniques unless they have received

appropriate training and preparation in the methods.

6. Couple and family counselors do not undertake any pro-

fessional activity in which their personal problems might

adversely affect their performance. Instead, they focus on

obtaining appropriate professional assistance to help

them resolve the problem.

7. Couple and family counselors do not engage in actions

that violate the legal standards of their community. They

do not encourage clients or others to engage in unlawful

activities.

8. Couple and family counselors have the responsibility to

provide public information that enhances couple and

family life. Such statements should be based on sound,

scientifically acceptable theories, techniques, and

approaches. Due to the inability to complete a compre-

hensive assessment and provide follow-up, members

should not give specific advice to an individual through

the media.

9. Couple and family counselors produce advertisements

about workshops or seminars that contain descriptions

of the audiences for which the programs are intended.

Due to their subjective nature, statements either from cli-

ents or from the counselor about the uniqueness, effec-

tiveness, or efficiency of services should be avoided.

Announcements and advertisements should never contain

false, misleading, or fraudulent statements.

10. Couple and family counselors promoting tapes, books, or

other products for commercial sale make every effort to

insure that announcements and advertisements are pre-

sented in a professional and factual manner.

220 The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 19(2)

at CAPELLA UNIVERSITY on March 8, 2016tfj.sagepub.comDownloaded from

Section D: Collaboration and Professional Relationships

Couple and family counselors work to maintain good relation-

ships with professional peers within and outside the field of

counseling. Consultation and collaboration represent means

by which couple and family counselors can remove barriers

to underserved populations. Interdisciplinary teamwork may

be required to best serve clients.

Couple and family counselors aspire to maintain compe-

tency through initial training, ongoing supervision and consul-

tation, and continuing education. They have responsibilities to

abide by this ethical code as well as other professional codes

related to professional identity and group membership. In par-

ticular, couple and family counselors should become active in

professional associations such as the IAMFC and the American

Counseling Association.

1. Couple and family counselors are knowledgeable about the

roles and functions of other disciplines, especially in the

helping professions such as psychiatry, psychology, social

work, and mental health counseling. Counselors work to

strengthen interdisciplinary relations with colleagues.

2. Couple and family counselors enter into professional part-

nerships in which each partner adheres to the ethical stan-

dards of their professions. Couple and family counselors

should not charge a fee for offering or accepting referrals.

3. Couple and family counselors do not engage in harmful rela-

tionships with individuals over whom they have supervisory,

evaluative, or instructional control. They do not engage in

harassment or other abuses of power or authority.

4. Couple and family counselors work to insure the ethical

delivery of effective services in any agency or institution

in which they are employed. Couple and family counselors

engaging in consultation and collaboration take responsi-

bility for the well-being and ethical treatment of clients.

Counselors alert administrators about inappropriate poli-

cies and practices in institutions they serve.

5. Couple and family counselors working as subcontractors

of counseling services for a third party have a duty to

inform clients of limitations that the organization may

place on the counseling or consulting relationship.

6. Couple and family counselors maintain good working rela-

tionships with team members and collaborators. They pro-

mote healthy boundaries and organizational climate.

Couple and family counselors refrain from becoming

involved in splitting, triangulation, and indirect forms of

communication that could be harmful to colleagues or the

organization they share.

7. Couple and family counselors do not offer services to

clients served by other professionals without securing a

referral or release. The counselor should be authorized

by the client to contact the other professional to coordinate

or transfer care. There may be special considerations

regarding transfer of care in the termination of an abusive

counseling relationship.

Section E: Assessment and Evaluation

Couple and family counselors are highly skilled in relational

and interpersonal assessment. They recognize the potential val-

ues to clients from appropriate educational, psychological, and

vocational evaluation. However, couple and family counselors

are sensitive to misuse and abuse of assessment results. Coun-

selors avoid, whenever possible, evaluation, assessment, or

diagnosis that restricts the overall development and freedom

of choice of individuals, couples, and families.

Recognizing the origins of couple and family counseling in

systems thinking, they avoid, whenever possible, assigning

problems to individuals. Instead, professional counselors aspire

to identify solutions that promote the well-being of family

systems.

1. Couple and family counselors use assessment procedures

to promote the best interests and well-being of the client

in clarifying concerns, establishing treatment goals, evalu-

ating therapeutic progress, and promoting objective deci-

sion making.

2. Couple and family counselors recognize that clients have

the right to know the results, interpretations, and conclu-

sions drawn from assessment interviews and instruments,

as well as how this information will be used. Couple and

family counselors safeguard assessment data and maintain

the confidentiality of evaluation records and reports.

3. Couple and family counselors use assessment methods that

are reliable, valid, and relevant to the goals of the client.

Couple and family counselors using tests or inventories

should have a thorough understanding of measurement

concepts, including relevant psychometric and normative

data. When using computer-assisted scoring, counselors

obtain empirical evidence for the reliability and validity

of the methods and procedures.

4. Couple and family counselors do not use inventories and

tests that have outdated items or normative data. They

refrain from using assessment instruments and techniques

likely to be biased or prejudiced.

5. Couple and family counselors do not use assessment

methods that are outside the scope of their qualifications,

training, or statutory limitations. They consult with psy-

chologists, mental health counselors, or other professional

colleagues in interpreting and understanding particular test

results.

6. Couple and family counselors conducting custody evalua-

tions recognize the potential impact that their reports can

have on family members. They are committed to a thorough

assessment of both parents. Therefore, custody recommenda-

tions should not be made on the basis of information from

only one parent. Couple and family counselors only use

instruments that have demonstrated reliability, validity, and

utility in custody evaluations. They do not make recommen-

dations based solely on test and inventory scores.

7. Couple and family counselors clarify the differences

between forensic examination and counseling. When

Hendricks et al. 221

at CAPELLA UNIVERSITY on March 8, 2016tfj.sagepub.comDownloaded from

couples and family counselors are conducting forensic

examination, they inform clients who may have access to

the results of the examination and the circumstances under

which information may be released.

8. Members strive to follow current guidelines and standards

for testing published or disseminated by the American

Counseling Association, American Educational Research

Association, American Psychological Association, Associ-

ation for Assessment in Counseling and Education,

National Council on Measurement in Evaluation, and other

groups dedicated to professional expertise in assessment.

Section F: Counselor Education and Supervision

Couple and family counselors are likely to engage in some

training and supervision activities, including peer consultation

and supervision. Couple and family counselors recognize

potential power imbalances in teacher and student, supervisor

and supervisee, and consultant and consultee relationships.

They do not abuse power or influence and instead, work to pro-

tect students, supervisees, and consultees from exploitation.

Couple and family counselors maintain appropriate boundaries

that promote growth and development for all parties. They

recognize and respect cultural differences, adjusting their pro-

fessional efforts to fit the learning needs of trainees.

1. Couple and family counselors who provide supervision

acquire and maintain skills pertaining to the supervision

process. They are able to demonstrate for supervisees the

application of counseling theory and process to client

issues. Supervisors are knowledgeable about different

methods and conceptual approaches to supervision.

2. Couple and family counselors who provide supervision

respect the inherent imbalance of power in the supervi-

sory relationship. They do not use their potentially influ-

ential positions to exploit students, supervisees, or

employees. Supervisors do not ask supervisees to engage

in behaviors not directly related to the supervision pro-

cess, and they clearly separate supervision and evalua-

tion. Supervisors also avoid multiple relationships that

might impair their professional judgment or increase the

possibility of exploitation.

3. Sexual intimacy with students or supervisees is

prohibited.

4. Couple and family counselors who provide supervision

are responsible for both the promotion of supervisee

learning and development and the advancement of couple

and family counseling. Supervisors recruit students into

professional organizations, educate students about pro-

fessional ethics and standards, provide service to profes-

sional organizations, strive to educate new professionals,

and work to improve professional practices.

5. Couple and family counselors who provide supervision

have the responsibility to inform students of the specific

expectations regarding skill building, knowledge

acquisition, and development of competencies. Supervi-

sors also provide ongoing and timely feedback to their

supervisees.

6. Couple and family counselors who provide supervision

are responsible for protecting the rights and well-being

of their supervisees’ clients. They monitor their

supervisees’ counseling on an ongoing basis and maintain

policies and procedures to protect the confidentiality of

clients whose sessions have been electronically recorded.

7. Couple and family counselors who provide supervision

maintain ethical standards for counselor supervision.

Counselor educators and supervisors may consult publi-

cations of the Association for Counselor Education and

Supervision to clarify ethical issues in supervisory

relationships.

8. Couple and family counselors serving as supervisors uti-

lize sound supervision and counseling theory in supervi-

sion practice. Additionally, couple and family counselors

infuse their supervision with the Advocacy Competencies

and the Multicultural Counseling Competencies endorsed

by the American Counseling Association.

9. Couple and family counselors who are counselor educa-

tors encourage their programs to maintain the current

guidelines provided in the CACREP Standards for Mar-

ital, Couple, and Family Counseling. They also encour-

age training programs to offer coursework and

supervision indicated by particular accreditation boards.

10. Couple and family counselors involved in training and

supervision, especially educators and students, should

encourage, teach, and implement advocacy awareness for

supervisees, as well as explore ethical principles and

aspirational goals. Counselor educators must infuse ethi-

cal studies throughout the curriculum.

11. Couples and family counselors who serve as supervisors

must promote ethical practice throughout their

supervision.

12. Couple and family counselors refer to the current Amer-

ican Counseling Association Code of Ethics and ACES

Code of Ethics as sources document or training and super-

vision in professional counseling.

Section G: Research and Publication

Couple and family counselors should engage in research and

publication that advances the profession of couple and family

counseling. They act to proactively prevent harm to research

participants and produce results that are beneficial to couples

and families. Couple and family counselors maintain high ethi-

cal standards of informed consent and protection of confidenti-

ality when conducting research projects or producing

publications. They solicit input from peers, institutional review

boards, and other stakeholders to minimize risks and enhance

outcomes.

1. Couple and family counselors shall be fully responsible for

their choice of research topics and the methods used for

222 The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 19(2)

at CAPELLA UNIVERSITY on March 8, 2016tfj.sagepub.comDownloaded from

investigation, analysis, and reporting. They must be partic-

ularly careful that findings do not appear misleading, that

the research is planned to allow for the inclusion of alter-

native hypotheses, and that provision is made for discus-

sion of the limitations of the study.

2. Couple and family counselors safeguard the privacy of

their research participants. Data about individual partici-

pants are not released unless the individual is informed

about the exact nature of the information to be released and

gives written permission for disclosure.

3. Couple and family counselors protect the safety of their

research participants. Researchers follow guidelines of a

peer review committee or institutional research board. Pro-

spective participants are informed in writing about any

potential risk associated with a study and are notified

before and during any study that they can withdraw at any

time.

4. Couple and family counselors make their original data

available to other researchers. They contribute to the

advancement of the field by encouraging the research and

publication efforts of colleagues.

5. Couple and family counselors only take credit for research

in which they make a substantial contribution and give

credit to all contributors. Authors are listed from greatest

to least amount of contribution.

6. Couple and family counselors do not plagiarize. Ideas or

data that did not originate with the author and are not com-

mon knowledge are clearly credited to the original source.

7. Couple and family counselors are aware of their obligation

to be role models for graduate students and other future

researchers. Thus, they act in accordance with the highest

standards possible while engaged in research and

publication.

8. Couple and family counselors review materials submitted

for research, publication, and other scholarly purposes.

They respect the confidentiality and proprietary rights of

those who submit their products for review. Counselors

engaged in reviews of manuscripts and presentation pro-

posals use valid and defensible standards, act within the

limits of their competencies, and refrain from personal

biases. In this manner, authors and researchers are sup-

ported and the field of couple and family counseling is

advanced.

Section H: Ethical Decision Making and Resolution

Couple and family counselors incorporate ethical practices in

their daily work. They discuss ethical dilemmas with col-

leagues and engage in ethical decision making in all aspects

of couple and family counseling. They hold other counselors

to sound ethical principles and encourage professional virtues

and aspirations in themselves and other counselors. Couple and

family counselors work with other professionals to resolve

ethical issues.

1. Couple and family counselors are responsible for under-

standing the American Counseling Association Code of

Ethics, the Ethical Code of the International Association

of Couple and Family Counselors, and other applicable

ethics codes from professional associations, certification

and licensure boards, and other credentialing organizations

by which they are regulated.

2. Couple and family counselors have the responsibility to

confront unethical behavior of other counselors or thera-

pists. The first step must be discussing the violation directly

with the caregiver, unless the confrontation would put a cli-

ent at risk. If the problem continues, the couple and family

counselor may contact the professional organization or

licensure board of the counselor or therapist in question.

3. Couple and family counselors specify the nature of con-

flicts between work requirements and other demands of

an employing organization and the relevant codes of

ethics. Employment and consultation of couple and family

counselors should not compromise ethical standards. They

work toward beneficial changes in the organizations of

which they are members.

4. Couple and family counselors do not engage in unwar-

ranted or invalid complaints. Ethics violations are reported

when informal attempts at resolution have failed or viola-

tions are likely to substantially harm an individual or orga-

nization. Couple and family counselors should follow the

reporting requirements specified by laws and regulations

in their jurisdictions.

5. Couple and family counselors cooperate with ethics com-

mittees and other duly constituted organizations having

jurisdiction over the professional charged with an ethics

violation. Counselors assist professional associations in

promoting ethical behavior and professional conduct.

Section I: Diversity

Couples and family counselors respect the dignity, potential

and uniqueness of couples and families within their cultural

context. They infuse their counseling and supervision with

advocacy strategies which facilitate client wellness. Further-

more, couples and family counselors advocate systems which

facilitate wellness and positive human growth. They actively

seek to eliminate oppression of human rights, understanding

that advocacy enables client empowerment.

1. Couples and family counselors perform advocacy at multi-

ple levels, including advocacy for clients, communities,

and social systems. Further, couples and family counselors

make efforts to remove barriers that oppress clients at all

levels. Couples and family counselors must be aware and

understand how to implement the Advocacy Competencies

endorsed by the American Counseling Association.

2. Couples and family counselors recognize diversity and its

influence on themselves and their clients. Couples and

family counselors are cognizant of the impact of world

views, values, and cultural influences. Couples and family

Hendricks et al. 223

at CAPELLA UNIVERSITY on March 8, 2016tfj.sagepub.comDownloaded from

counselors must be aware of and understand how to imple-

ment the Multicultural Counseling Competencies endorsed

by the American Counseling Association.

The members of the Ethics committee who completed the

revision of the Ethical Code are the following:

Bret Hendricks, Chair of the Ethics Committee, Department

of Educational Psychology and Leadership, Texas Tech

University.

Loretta J. Bradley, Department of Educational Psychology

and Leadership, Texas Tech University.

Stephen Southern, Department of Counseling and Psychol-

ogy, Mississippi College

Marvarene Oliver, Department of Counseling and Educational

Psychology, Texas A & M University–Corpus Christi.

Bobbie Birdsall, Counselor Education Department, Boise

State University.

Authors’ Note

The 2010 Ethical Code of the International Association of Couple and

Family Counselors (IAMFC) was written by members of the Ethics

Committee and approved by the Board of IAMFC.

224 The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 19(2)

at CAPELLA UNIVERSITY on March 8, 2016tfj.sagepub.comDownloaded from