Professional Ethics

Questions and Answers
It is usually time to end counseling sessions when it is clear to both the client and the counselor that therapeutic goals have been reached and enough improvement has been made that the client can continue without that support. There are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part this is when... more
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For me, I check in with Clients about every 3-4 sessions to ask how they are feeling about their counseling journey and what they are hoping for in terms of continuing (more sessions, fewer sessions, terminating). On almost all occasions, my professional opinion is pretty close to the client's... more
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Therapy is a journey and like most journeys, there is always an ending. When a client has met their intended goals or has built confidence in skills they have learned in therapy, that's when they begin to transition. Furthermore, if a therapist and client aren't a good match or the therapist... more
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I'm sorry to hear that this has happened. Counselors are legally and ethically required to make sure that they always put the wellbeing of their clients above their own interests. In addition, counselor ethical rules, and the laws in just about every state, make it illegal for counselors to take... more
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Hi! My name's Cindy. I'm not a psychologist, but I am a pre-licensed professional counselor. I can share with you some details about my college experience and afterward. I attended Texas Woman's University, earning a Master of Science in Counseling & Development with an emphasis on Clinical... more
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It is good to hear you are serious about your sobriety. Maintaining confidentiality and professional distance while living in a small community can be difficult. There are alternative programs to support your sobriety online. They offer an extra layer of privacy compared to in-person meetings. You... more
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I worked for an organization that had a similar policy, although I'm not aware of it ever being enforced. Most of the employees were in recovery and active in 12-step programs. It has always been my personal practice that if I am present at a meeting and encounter a current client, I will leave. No... more
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No, not without a signed release of information (ROI) from you (the client).
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Mental health providers should promptly return calls from current clients as well as from potential clients. This is even true if the social worker (or counselor) is unable to make an appointment with the caller. In that case the social worker should call you back to let you know that he is unable... more
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