The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)represents mental health counselors. To this end, AMHCA establishes and promotes the highest professional standards. Mental health counselors subscribe to and pledge to abide by the principles identified in the Code of Ethics. This course is based on this code which is intended as a guide to: assist members to make sound ethical decisions; to define ethical behaviors and best practices for Association members; to support the mission of the Association; and to educate members, students and the public at large regarding the ethical standards of mental health counselors. Mental health counselors are expected to utilize carefully considered ethical-decision making processes when faced with ethical dilemmas.
Course Objectives
1. Define ethical behaviors and best practices for American Mental Health Counselors Association members including the counselor's integrity, commitment, and responsibility to the client.
2. Describe the ethical-decision making processes that mental health counselors are expected to utilize when faced with ethical dilemmas.
3. Identify ethical considerations related to the counseling process such as the use of counseling plans, informed consent, client's rights, and termination and referral practices.
4. Evaluate the counselor's ethical commitment to other professionals, students, and supervisees as well as to the mental health profession and to the public.
