Counseling Ethics and Professional Counselor Identity

This integrative course focuses on both foundational counseling principles and ethical practice within substance use disorder and mental health counseling. It delves into the historical development, current challenges, and future trends in counseling, ensuring the integration of ethical, moral, legal, and professional principles into counseling practice. Students will explore essential knowledge, skills, and techniques for initiating, conducting, and concluding effective counseling relationships, emphasizing the importance of therapeutic alliances and the use of self in the counseling process. Students gain insights into ethical and responsible practice, developing a personal ethical decision model that integrates American Counseling Association (ACA) and Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) codes of ethics, along with relevant statutes and regulations. Through case studies, students analyze and apply codes of ethics and regulations, addressing key topics such as client welfare, advocacy, professional competence, personal wellness, boundaries, and confidentiality. 

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