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Christian Counseling Connection
A Professor Perspective:
Which Code First?
When choosing to be a member of the ACA, the
Code
is considered an “ethical
obligation of ACA members” (ACA, 2014, p. 3). Some students and profession-
als in the counseling field may also have memberships in other organizations
such as the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) and the
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), which also
expect members to follow their respective standards (AMHCA, 2010; AAMFT,
2015). Take into consideration those who choose to be members of the AACC
are “invited to fully adopt” the
Code
, but are not required to do so unless they are
International Board of Christian Care (IBCC) credential holders (including their
affiliate boards) (AACC, 2014, p. 8). It would seem easier to view the AACC
Code
as a secondary consideration, with the ACA
Code
as primary.
Take a step back for a moment, and ask how is it that we, as Christians,
operate in the first place—or should operate? As people of faith, we claim to
follow Christ. To know Christ, we must be in relationship with Him, and part of
how we engage in knowing Him is to know our Bible. We must read, study, and
spend time learning and engaging with others in our faith communities around a
deeper understanding of God’s Word. This is not one time—this should be ongo-
ing. Consider the various ethics codes again. Is the process a one-time, graduate
school review and understanding of these precepts? Or, alternately, must we also
not read, study, and spend time learning and engaging with others in discussions
about the codes? Having a firm understanding of Scripture and continuing to
grow and develop through a faith community are the foundations from where we
delve into the study of ethics. So often it seems easier to start with the secular and
work back to the Christian, just as it would be easier to start with the ACA
Code
and then consider the AACC
Code
. I propose that we continue to push ourselves,
as well as those who work with students and/or supervise, to use the AACC
Code
as a lens from which we view the ACA
Code
and other codes of ethics. However,
I do not suggest that students and counselors blindly accept the AACC
Code
with-
out a firm biblical understanding of the basis for which the
Code
was established.
Although I believe the AACC
Code
is firmly grounded in biblical principles, it
was through my study of Scripture and the
Code
that allows me to make such a
statement.
Let me offer this visual: stack printed copies of the codes you follow with the
secular ones on the bottom, then the AACC
Code
, and next top all of them with
your Bible. How will you approach the codes, starting with God’s guidance first?
A Student Perspective
Throughout my counseling program, knowing and following appropriate ethical
codes was heavily emphasized. As a follower of Jesus, I assumed it would be
easy to operate in an ethical manner; yet, over and over I was required to read
the ACA and AACC ethics codes and consider how they apply to various ethical
dilemmas. The constant emphasis on ethical codes felt monotonous; I was more
interested in learning about counseling techniques. As I have come to the end
of my educational program, I now understand why my professors took so much
time emphasizing ethics. During my internship, I saw how easily a counselor
could damage the therapeutic relationship by failing to practice in an ethical
manner. As Christians, we must know God’s precepts as found in Scripture in
order to follow His ways. Likewise, we must know the ethical codes so well that
we will easily operate within the guidelines of our profession.
Using the visual of the stack previously discussed to view the AACC and
ACA ethical codes, the lens of Scripture brings light to the characteristics es-
sential for an ethical counselor. I propose that self-awareness and humility are
biblical characteristics underlying these codes. Take into account the discussion
of culture and values found in both documents. The AACC calls counselors to
“As I learn your righteous
regulations, I will thank you
by living as I should!”
— Psalm 119:7, NLT
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