Counseling Ethics and Informed Consent

PRINCIPLE I: THE COUNSELING RELATIONSHIP

• Addiction Professionals prioritize the safety and welfare of clients, demonstrating respect, sensitivity, and compassion in their practice.

• Informed Consent mandates that clients must receive clear, understandable information about treatment, including risks, limitations, and their rights regarding services.

• Informed Consent also requires explicit explanations of service nature, potential risks, privacy rights, and financial details. Clients must attest to their understanding of this information.

• Professionals must clarify the nature of relationships and confidentiality limits when providing services requested by third parties.

• A commitment to diversity entails respecting clients' various backgrounds and seeking training in potential areas of bias.

• Discrimination against clients based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other statuses is strictly prohibited.

• Professionals representing legally incompetent clients must prioritize the client’s best interests while balancing legal rights of guardians or representatives.

• Confidentiality limitations must be clearly discussed with clients, especially those mandated to counseling.

• A signed Release of Information is required for clients working with multiple behavioral health professionals to foster collaboration.

• Professionals are cautioned against multiple relationships that could impair judgment or lead to exploitation.

• Engaging previous acquaintances as clients requires prior consultation or supervision to prevent impaired judgment.

• Group counseling requires clarifying individual client roles and safeguarding member privacy and welfare.

• Financial transparency is vital; professionals must accurately represent facts to clients and third-party payers.

• Treatment plans need to be collaboratively developed with ongoing reviews for effectiveness.

• Services must reflect high-quality care, guided by established criteria like ASAM.

• Documentation of services must comply with federal and state regulations to ensure client information is properly secured.

• Advocacy for clients is essential, involving acknowledgment of barriers to access and obtaining consent before acting on their behalf.

• Referrals to appropriate resources are necessary when a client requires care beyond the provider's competence.

• Exploitation of the client relationship for personal gain, including coercive practices, is strictly forbidden.

• Relationships that are romantic or sexual with current or former clients are prohibited to maintain professional integrity.

• Services should be terminated appropriately, ensuring clients are referred to other resources as needed.

• Coverage arrangements must be made to prevent service interruption due to the provider's absence.

• Abandonment of clients in treatment is unacceptable; clients must be notified of impending termination.

• Fees for services must be fair and proportionate to the service quality provided, considering client financial capability.

• Self-referrals are prohibited unless organizational policies allow them. Appropriate alternative resources must be provided.

• Acceptance of commissions or kickbacks for client referrals is not permitted.

• Professional integrity demands that providers do not exploit client relationships for profit.

• Non-payment for services cannot justify withholding client treatment records or necessary reports for legal purposes.

• Payment disclosures must include all costs, potential collection actions, and procedures for denied insurance payments.

• Professional services must be uniformly provided to all clients, regardless of payment status.

• Billing must accurately reflect services actually provided, regardless of client agreements.

• Accurate and timely maintenance of clinical and financial records is essential.

• Suspension for nonpayment requires reasonable written notice to the client.

• Prior notice must be given to clients regarding potential collection actions while safeguarding clinical information.

• Bartering for services is permitted under specific, non-exploitative conditions and must be accompanied by a clear written agreement.

• Acceptance of gifts from clients must be carefully considered, taking into account the therapeutic relationship and motivations behind the gesture.