ACA CODE OF ETHICS LATEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
fundamental principles of professional ethical behavior - ANSWERS-
1)*autonomy*, or fostering the right to control the direction of one's life
2)*nonmaleficence* - or avoiding actions that cause harm
3)*beneficence* - or working for the good of the individual and society
by promoting mental health and well-being
4)*justice* - treating individuals equitably and fostering fairness and
equality
5)*fidelity* - honoring commitments and keeping promises, including
fulfilling one's responsibilities of trust in professional relationships
6)*veracity* - dealing truthfully with individuals with whom counselors
come into professional contact
shorthand: principles of ethical behavior - ANSWERS-autonomy
nonmaleficence
beneficence
justice
fidelity
veracity
END OF
PAGE
1
, ACA CODE OF ETHICS LATEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
code of ethics purpose - ANSWERS-1) set forth ethical obligations of
ACA members and provide guidance intended to *inform the ethical
practice* of professional counselors
2) *identify ethical considerations* relevant to professional counselors
and counselors-in-training
3) enable the association to *clarify* for current and prospective
members, and for those served by members, *the nature* of the ethical
responsibilities held in common by its members
4) serve as an ethical guide designed to *assist* members in constructing
a *course of action* that best serves those utilizing counseling and
establishes expectations of conduct with a primary emphasis on the role
of the professional counselor
5) help to support the *mission* of ACA
6) standards contained in this code as the *basis for processing*
inquiries and ethics complaints concerning ACA members
shorthand: code of ethics purpose - ANSWERS-1) inform practice
2)identify relevant *considerations*
3)*clarify* the nature of responsibilities
4)*construct* course of action
END OF
PAGE
2
, ACA CODE OF ETHICS LATEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
5)support mission
6) process inquiries and *complaints*
SECTION A - the counseling relationship - ANSWERS-to facilitate
cient growth, foster interest and wefare of cients, truct is the cornertone,
have the respnsibility to respect clients privacy and confidentiality,
understand diverse cultural backgrounds, and how the cultrual
background of the councelor may effect the therapy, also pro bono work
shorthand: the counseling relationship - ANSWERS-1)facilitate client
growth
2)foster interest & welfare
3)trust
4)respect privacy & confidentiality
5)understand cultural backgrounds
6)pro bono
A.1. client welfare - ANSWERS-
END OF
PAGE
3
, ACA CODE OF ETHICS LATEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
A.1.A primary responsiblity - ANSWERS-respect the dignity and
promote the welfare of clients
a.1.b. records and documentation - ANSWERS-create safeguards and
maintain documentation necessary for rendering professional services -
timely documentation, accurately reflects clients progress and services
provided,
a.1.c. counseling plans - ANSWERS-counselor and client work jointly
to devise a counseling plan, with reasonable promise of success that are
consistent with the abilities, temperament, developmental level, and
circumstances of clients - review and revise for effectiveness
support network involvement - ANSWERS-Counselors recognize that
support networks hold various meanings with clients and support
understanding and involvement of others
informed consent in the counseling relationship - ANSWERS-on going
process, clients have the freedom to enter or remain in counseling,
counselor must give writen and verbal obligations, rights and
responsibilities of both client and counselor
END OF
PAGE
4
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
fundamental principles of professional ethical behavior - ANSWERS-
1)*autonomy*, or fostering the right to control the direction of one's life
2)*nonmaleficence* - or avoiding actions that cause harm
3)*beneficence* - or working for the good of the individual and society
by promoting mental health and well-being
4)*justice* - treating individuals equitably and fostering fairness and
equality
5)*fidelity* - honoring commitments and keeping promises, including
fulfilling one's responsibilities of trust in professional relationships
6)*veracity* - dealing truthfully with individuals with whom counselors
come into professional contact
shorthand: principles of ethical behavior - ANSWERS-autonomy
nonmaleficence
beneficence
justice
fidelity
veracity
END OF
PAGE
1
, ACA CODE OF ETHICS LATEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
code of ethics purpose - ANSWERS-1) set forth ethical obligations of
ACA members and provide guidance intended to *inform the ethical
practice* of professional counselors
2) *identify ethical considerations* relevant to professional counselors
and counselors-in-training
3) enable the association to *clarify* for current and prospective
members, and for those served by members, *the nature* of the ethical
responsibilities held in common by its members
4) serve as an ethical guide designed to *assist* members in constructing
a *course of action* that best serves those utilizing counseling and
establishes expectations of conduct with a primary emphasis on the role
of the professional counselor
5) help to support the *mission* of ACA
6) standards contained in this code as the *basis for processing*
inquiries and ethics complaints concerning ACA members
shorthand: code of ethics purpose - ANSWERS-1) inform practice
2)identify relevant *considerations*
3)*clarify* the nature of responsibilities
4)*construct* course of action
END OF
PAGE
2
, ACA CODE OF ETHICS LATEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
5)support mission
6) process inquiries and *complaints*
SECTION A - the counseling relationship - ANSWERS-to facilitate
cient growth, foster interest and wefare of cients, truct is the cornertone,
have the respnsibility to respect clients privacy and confidentiality,
understand diverse cultural backgrounds, and how the cultrual
background of the councelor may effect the therapy, also pro bono work
shorthand: the counseling relationship - ANSWERS-1)facilitate client
growth
2)foster interest & welfare
3)trust
4)respect privacy & confidentiality
5)understand cultural backgrounds
6)pro bono
A.1. client welfare - ANSWERS-
END OF
PAGE
3
, ACA CODE OF ETHICS LATEST
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
A.1.A primary responsiblity - ANSWERS-respect the dignity and
promote the welfare of clients
a.1.b. records and documentation - ANSWERS-create safeguards and
maintain documentation necessary for rendering professional services -
timely documentation, accurately reflects clients progress and services
provided,
a.1.c. counseling plans - ANSWERS-counselor and client work jointly
to devise a counseling plan, with reasonable promise of success that are
consistent with the abilities, temperament, developmental level, and
circumstances of clients - review and revise for effectiveness
support network involvement - ANSWERS-Counselors recognize that
support networks hold various meanings with clients and support
understanding and involvement of others
informed consent in the counseling relationship - ANSWERS-on going
process, clients have the freedom to enter or remain in counseling,
counselor must give writen and verbal obligations, rights and
responsibilities of both client and counselor
END OF
PAGE
4
