PROPOSED CODE OF ETHICS · Respecting human rights and dignity

(REVISED as of December 21, 2006 @ Dr. Villar’s Residence) · Respect for the client’s right to be self-governing
· A commitment to promoting the client’s well being
· Fostering responsible caring
PREAMBLE
· Fair treatment of all clients and the provision of adequate services
· Equal opportunity to clients availing counseling services
The Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, Inc. (PGCA) is an · Ensuring the integrity of practitioner-client relationship
organization of helping professionals whose members are committed to the · Fostering the practitioner’s self-knowledge and care for self
development of the well-functioning individual in a society utilizing his/her · Enhancing the quality of professional knowledge and its application
potentials to the fullest. Members of the Association are bound to uphold the · Responsibility to the society
dignity and worth of the individual throughout life in the following settings:
CHAPTER I
educational, community, clinical, hospital, or industry.
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
This Code of Ethics in Guidance and Counseling expresses the ethical principles
and values of the Association and serves as a guide to the professional and
1. General Responsibility. Counselors maintain a high standard of professional
personal conduct of all its members. It also informs the public which they serve of
competence and ethical behavior thereby recognizing the need for continuing
the standards of ethical conduct for which members are to be responsible and
education in order to meet this responsibility.
accountable. The Code reflects such values as integrity, competence, responsibility
and an understanding of and respect for the cultural diversity of society. 2. Respect for Rights. Counselors respect the rights of a client and uphold the
integrity of the counseling profession. They participate in only those practices
Members have a responsibility to ensure that they are familiar with this Code of
which are respectful of the legal, civic, and moral rights of others, and act to
Ethics, understand its application to their professional and personal conduct, and
safeguard the dignity and rights of their clients, students, and research participants.
strive to adhere to its principles and values. They should also be familiar with other
sources of information which will assist them in making informed professional
decisions. These include the laws, rules and regulations, and policies which are 3. Boundaries of Competence. Counselors limit their practices within their
professionally relevant in their working environment. professional competence, educational background, and personal experience as
what the laws, rules, guidelines, accreditation and credential are concerned. If the
Members are accountable to both the public and their peers and are therefore
counseling needs of a client are beyond the counselor’s expertise and competence
subject to the complaints and disciplinary procedures of the Philippine Guidance
appropriate referral must be made.
and Counseling Association. By accepting this statement of ethics, members of the
Association are committing themselves to act ethically in the provision of 4. Continuing Education. Counselors continuously update themselves with the
professional services. current trends and development in the profession to maintain a high degree of
proficiency through active participation in scientific and professional endeavor.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES 5. Research and Development. Counselors engage in research activities for the
advancement of the counseling profession. They have the responsibility to
disseminate such information through presentation and publication.
The expectations for ethical conduct as expressed in this Code are based on the
following fundamental principles:
6. Ethical Behavior. Counselors uphold the values and ethical principles operating 2.1 When disclosure is required to prevent clear and imminent danger to the client
in this Code. They are expected to behave as professionals in their counseling or others;
sessions as well as in dealing with their fellow colleagues.
2.2 When legal requirements demand that confidential matter be revealed;
7. Sensitivity to Diversity. Counselors recognize and respect client’s diversity in
3. Children and Persons with Diminished Capacity. Counselors conduct the
terms of religion, race, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, education, and
informed consent process with those legally appropriate to give consent when
socio-economic status.
counseling children and/or persons with diminished capacity. These clients also
8. Equal Opportunity. Counselors provide equal opportunity to everyone to avail give consent to such services or involvement commensurate with their capacity to
of the counseling services in various setting regardless of age, gender, do so.
socioeconomic status, civil status, religion, culture, ethnicity, disability, and sexual
4. Maintenance of Records. Counselors maintain records in sufficient detail to
orientation.
track the sequence and nature of professional services rendered and consistent with
9. Good Quality of Practice. Counselors maintain a good quality of practice in the any legal, regulatory, agency, or institutional requirement. They secure the safety
helping profession at all times. They continually monitor their effectiveness as of such records and, create, maintain, transfer, and dispose of them in a manner
professionals and take steps to improve when necessary. compliant with the requirements of confidentiality and other articles of this Code
of Ethics.
10. Knowledge of Legislative Laws. Counselors have a responsibility to read, 5. Access to Records. Counselors understand that clients have the right to access
understand, and follow Republic Act 9258 (Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004) their counseling records. Disclosure of such information to others is allowed only
and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. Other mandated laws protecting the through the clients informed consent and/or if there is imminent changes to life
interest of clients’ rights should be known to the practicing counselors. properly.
11. Extension of Ethical Responsibilities. Counseling services and products 6. Dual Relationships. Counselors avoid personal, familial, social and/or business
provided by counselors through classroom instruction, public lectures, relationships except those already existing prior to the establishment of the
demonstrations, publications, radio and television programs, computer technology counseling relationships.
and other media must meet the appropriate ethical standards of this Code of Ethics.
7. Understanding Diversity. Counselors actively work to understand the diverse
cultural background of the clients with whom they work, and do not condone or
CHAPTER II
engage in discrimination based on age, color, culture, ethnicity, disability, gender,
COUNSELING RELATIONSHIP
religion, sexual orientation, marital, or socioeconomic status.
1. General Responsibility. Counselors have a primary responsibility to respect the
8. Relationships with Former Clients. Counselors exercise caution about
integrity and promote the welfare of their clients. They work collaboratively with
entering any friendly, social, financial and business relationships with former
clients in creating counseling relationships that are consistent with client abilities
clients until such time that the issues in relational dynamic present during
and needs.
counseling have been fully resolved and properly terminated.
2. Confidentiality. The counselor must preserve and safeguard the confidentiality
9. Multiple Clients. When counselors agree to provide counseling to two or more
of the clients except:
persons who have a relationship (such as husband and wife, or parents and
children), counselors clarify at the outset which person or persons are clients and
the nature of the relationship they will have with each person. 1. General Responsibility. Counselors provide consultative services only in those
areas in which they have demonstrated competency by virtue of their education
10. Multiple Helpers. If, after entering a counseling relationship, a counselor
and experience.
discovers the client is already in a counseling relationship then, the counselor is
responsible for discussing the issues related to continuing or terminating 2. Undiminished Responsibility and Liability. Counselors who work in private
counseling with the client. It may be necessary, with client consent, to discuss practice, whether incorporated or not, must ensure that there is no diminishing of
these issues with the other helper or counselor may opt not to take on the case their individual professional responsibility to act in accordance with the PGCA
unless the client decides to terminate the counseling relationship. Code of Ethics, or in their liability for any failure to do so.
3. Consultative Relationships. Counselors ensure that consultation occurs within
11. Group Work. Counselors have the responsibility to protect group members
a voluntary relationship between a counselor and a client, group, or organization,
from physical and/or psychological harm resulting from interaction within the
and that the goals are understood by all parties concerned.
group, both during and following the group experience.
4. Informed Consent. Counselors, who provide services for the use of third
12. Termination of Counseling. Counselors must terminate the counseling
parties, acknowledge and clarify for the informed consent of clients, all obligations
relationships when it is deemed necessary. More specifically terminating the
of such consulting relationships, including the purpose, entitlement to information,
counseling relationships should be done when
and any restrictions on confidentiality. Third parties may include public and
12.1. Goals of counseling have been met. private institutions, funding agencies, employees, and so forth.
12.2. Client condition is beyond the counselor’s expertise.
5. Accurate Advertising. Counselors, when advertising services as private
12.3. Transference or counter-transference issues are evident.
practitioners, do so in a manner that accurately and clearly informs the public of
their services, areas of expertise, credentials such as licensure and accreditation in
13. Computer Use. When computer applications are used as a component of
an accurate manner that is not false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent.
counseling services, as in testing or assessment, counselors must ensure that:
6. Respect for Privacy. Counselors limit any discussion of client information
(a) client is capable of using the computer application;
obtained from a consulting relationship to persons clearly involved with the case.
(b) the computer application is appropriate to the needs of the client; and Any written and oral reports must be restricted to the purposes of the consultation
and, every effort is made to protect client identity and to avoid undue invasion of
(c) the client understands the purpose and operation of computer application.
privacy.
Pertinent records stored in the computer such as counseling transcription, test data
7. Cooperating Agencies. Before sharing information, counselors make efforts to
and personal information data must be kept with confidentiality. In any case,
ensure that these other agencies have defined policies that serve the clients interest.
computer applications do not diminish the counselor’s responsibility to act in
accordance with the PGCA Code of Ethics, and in particular, to ensure adherence 8. Conflict of Interest. Counselors who engage in consultation avoid
to the principles of confidentiality, informed consent, and safeguarding against circumstances where the duality of relationships or the prior possession of
harmful effects. information could lead to a conflict of interest.
9. Professional Fees. Professional fees are based on standards prescribed by the
CHAPTER III existing laws, ordinances, promulgations, and resolutions. Counselors consider the
CONSULTING AND PRIVATE PRACTICE
financial status of clients and locality in establishing fees for professional choose professional consultants in a manner which will avoid placing the
counseling services. consultant in a conflict of interest situation.
10. Pro Bono Service. Counselors render professional services in the community 9. Client Advocate. Counselors strive to reach agreement with employers as to
or society for which there is little or no financial return (pro bono). acceptable standards of conduct that allow for changes in institutional policy
conducive to the growth and development of clients.
CHAPTER IV 10. Coordination. Counselors maintain proper coordination with fellow
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS professionals in relation to counseling services and programs implemented in their
workplace.
1. General Responsibility. Counselors maintain harmonious working 11. Networking and Linkages. Counselors establish a good system of networking
relationships with other professionals in their work setting and affiliated and linkages with other sectors to promote public and social awareness as well as
organizations. for the enhancement of the profession.
2. Roles and Functions. Counselors set the parameters and levels of their 12. Referral Fee. Counselors desist from accepting referral fee from other
professional roles and functions. professionals.
3. Working Agreement. Counselors establish working agreements with 13. Professional Conduct. Counselors have a responsibility both to clients and the
supervisors, colleagues, and subordinates regarding counseling relationships, institution within which services are performed to maintain high standards of
adherence to professional standards, house rules, work load, time schedule, professional conduct.
responsibility, and accountability. Working agreements are specified and made
known to those concerned.
CHAPTER V
4. Evaluation. Counselors submit regularly to professional review and evaluation EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT, AND INTERPRETATION
by their employer and peer. This can be done semi-quarterly or annually as agreed
1. General Responsibility. Counselors take responsibility to inform the clients
by the counselor and the employer.
about the purpose of any evaluation and assessment instruments and procedures
5. In-Service. Counselors participate in in-service training for professional growth and the meaning of evaluation and assessment results.
and development.
2. Test Selection and Evaluation. Counselors have the competence to evaluate
6. Damage Control. Counselors alert their employers to conditions that may be tests in terms of the
potentially disruptive or damaging to the counselor’s professional responsibilities
(a) appropriateness of the test to the purpose of testing;
or that may limit their effectiveness.
(b) reliability and validity;
7. Supervisory Relationships. Counselors in supervisory position foster good
working relationships and treat all colleagues fairly. (c) appropriateness of level of difficulty to clients; and
8. Consulting with other Professionals. Counselors may consult with other (d) appropriateness of norms of norm-referenced tests.
professionally competent persons about the client. However, if the identity of the
client is to be revealed, it is done with the written consent of the client. Counselors 3. Test Competence. Counselors using psychological tests and other assessment
tools should only do so if they have undergone training in the use of these tools,
familiar with the training requirements of different tests, and are conversant with
the concepts of reliability and validity. 1. General Responsibility. Counselors responsible for counselor education,
training, and supervision adhere to current guidelines and standards with respect to
4. Purpose and Results of Assessment. Counselors take responsibility to inform
such activities and conduct themselves in a manner consistent in this Code and
clients about the purpose of assessment, the procedures involved, and the meaning
Standards of Practice.
of evaluation and assessment results.
2. Counselor Educators and Trainers. Counselor educators and trainers possess
5. Test Administration. Counselors administer psychological tests in accordance
the necessary qualifications, skills and competencies to conduct counselor
with standards or guidelines of testing procedures found in the Test Manual.
education and training programs.
6. Administrative and Supervisory Conditions. Counselors ensure that
3. Description of Education and Training Programs. Counselors responsible for
evaluation and assessment instruments and procedures are administered and
education and training programs ensure accurate description of the course/training,
supervised under established conditions consistent with professional standards.
goals and objectives, content outline, requirements, methodology, and references.
They note any departures from standard conditions, and any unusual behavior of
irregularities which may affect the interpretation of results. 4. Program Orientation. Counselors in teaching, training, and supervision
programs take responsibility to orient perspective students, trainees, and
7. Test Data Utilization. Counselors utilize assessment data by taking into
supervisees to all core elements of such programs and activities.
account various factors and characteristics of the person derived from integrated
profile of battery test results that might affect the counselor’s judgment or reduce 5. Counselor Supervision. Counselors inform the supervisees about the process of
the accuracy of information. supervision, expectations, outcomes, monitoring, and evaluation in order to
provide competent counseling services.
8. Test Confidentiality. Counselors have the responsibility to observe the
principle of confidentiality in testing. 6. Ethical Orientation. Counselors have an obligation to make their students,
trainees, and supervisees aware of their ethical responsibilities.
9. Computer-Generated Tests. Counselors ensure that computer-generated test
administration and scoring programs operate properly thereby providing clients 7. Evaluation. Counselor educators and trainers ensure a fair, accurate and honest
with accurate test results. appraisal of students, supervisees and trainees.
10. Obsolete Data. Counselors do not base their assessments or recommendations 8. Relational Boundaries. Counselors establish relationships with their students,
or decisions on data or test results that are outdated for the current purpose. trainees, and supervisees such that appropriate relational boundaries are clarified
and maintained, and dual relationships avoided.
11. Intellectual Property. Counselors safeguard and respect the publisher’s
intellectual property rights of psychological tests. Reproduction and/or 9. Contribution to Research. Counselors give credit to students and supervisees
modification of parts thereof without acknowledgement and permission from the for their contributions to research and scholarly projects in the field of guidance
publisher of psychological tests are punishable by the Law. and counselling.
12. Maintaining Test Security. Counselors make reasonable efforts to maintain 10. Counselor Care. The counselor organization provides continuing activities for
the integrity and security of tests and other assessment techniques. counselor care.
CHAPTER VI 11. Counselor Rights. Rehabilitation services should be available for counsellors
COUNSELOR EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND SUPERVISION under stress.
 CHAPTER VII significantly to the research and/or publication in accordance with such
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION contributions.
10. Replication. Counselors acknowledge the fact that their researches can be
1. General Responsibility. In planning any research activity dealing with human replicated by others at one point in time due to its relevance and theory-testing.
subjects, the counselor must observe ethical principles and standards of good
11. Publication. Counselors submit their research output in a peer-refereed journal
practice.
for publication using the prescribed standards in writing style.
2. Informed Consent. All research subjects must be informed of the purpose of
12. Review of Materials Submitted. Counselors who review materials for
the study except when withholding information or providing misinformation to
publications must respect the confidentiality and propriety rights of those persons
them is essential to the investigation. In such research, the counselor must be
who submitted.
responsible for corrective action as possible following completion of the research.
2.1. Voluntary Participation. Participation of identified subjects in research must
be on a voluntary basis.
3. Welfare of the Subjects. Counselors are responsible for the welfare of the
subjects throughout the research and must take all reasonable precautions to avoid
causing injury in terms of physical, psychological, or social effects on their
subjects.
4. Joint Research Activity. Counselors working with another individual in
research and/or publication incur an obligation to cooperate in terms of finishing
the entire joint venture as agreed upon by both parties.
5. Joint Authorship. Counselors working in a group research acknowledge the
fact that all correspondence regarding the said research in that publication must be
addressed to the first author.
6. Confidentiality of Information. Counselors must take due care to disguise the
identity of respective subjects and research locale.
7. Reporting Accurate Results. Counselors conduct, report and make thorough
discussion of research with accuracy and avoid bias and misleading results.
8. Professional Value. Counselors communicate to others the results of any
research judged to be of professional value. Results that reflect unfavourably on
institutions, programs or services must not be withheld.
9. Acknowledgment. Counselors give due credit through acknowledgment,
footnote statements, or other appropriate means to those who have contributed