NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFIED
COUNSELORS (NBCC) CODE OF
ETHICS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
PREAMBLE -
\The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) provides national certifications
that recognize individuals who have voluntarily met standards for general and specialty
areas of counseling practice. Counselors certified by NBCC may also identify with
different professional associations and are often licensed by jurisdictions that
promulgate standards of
behavior. Regardless of any other affiliation, this Code of Ethics is applicable to all
NBCC applicants and National Certified Counselors (NCCs). This Code establishes the
minimum ethical behaviors and provides an expectation of and assurance for the ethical
practice for all who use the professional services of NCCs. Furthermore, it provides an
enforceable set of directives and assures a resource for those served in the case of a
perceived violation.
NCCs are required to adhere to all of the directives. Sanctions of applicants and
credential holders under this Code are issued by NBCC only if the provisions of the
NBCC Code of Ethics are found to have been violated.
Directive 1 -
\NCCs, recognizing the potential for harm, shall not share information that is obtained
through the counseling process without specific written consent by the client or legal
guardian except to prevent clear, imminent danger to the client or others or when
required to do so by a court order.
Directive 2 -
\NCCs shall respect client's privacy and shall solicit only information that contributes to
the identified counseling goals.
Directive 3 -
\NCCs generally shall not accept goods or services from clients in return for counseling
services in recognition of the possible negative effects, including perceived exploitation.
NCCs may accept goods, services or other nonmonetary compensation from clients
only in cases where no referrals are possible or appropriate and if the arrangement is
discussed with the client in advance, is an exchange of a reasonable equivalent value,
does not place the counselor in an unfair advantage, is not harmful to the client or their
treatment and is documented in the counseling services agreement.
Directive 4 -
\NCCs shall not accept gifts from clients except in cases when it is culturally appropriate
or therapeutically relevant because of the potential confusion that may arise. NCCs
COUNSELORS (NBCC) CODE OF
ETHICS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
PREAMBLE -
\The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) provides national certifications
that recognize individuals who have voluntarily met standards for general and specialty
areas of counseling practice. Counselors certified by NBCC may also identify with
different professional associations and are often licensed by jurisdictions that
promulgate standards of
behavior. Regardless of any other affiliation, this Code of Ethics is applicable to all
NBCC applicants and National Certified Counselors (NCCs). This Code establishes the
minimum ethical behaviors and provides an expectation of and assurance for the ethical
practice for all who use the professional services of NCCs. Furthermore, it provides an
enforceable set of directives and assures a resource for those served in the case of a
perceived violation.
NCCs are required to adhere to all of the directives. Sanctions of applicants and
credential holders under this Code are issued by NBCC only if the provisions of the
NBCC Code of Ethics are found to have been violated.
Directive 1 -
\NCCs, recognizing the potential for harm, shall not share information that is obtained
through the counseling process without specific written consent by the client or legal
guardian except to prevent clear, imminent danger to the client or others or when
required to do so by a court order.
Directive 2 -
\NCCs shall respect client's privacy and shall solicit only information that contributes to
the identified counseling goals.
Directive 3 -
\NCCs generally shall not accept goods or services from clients in return for counseling
services in recognition of the possible negative effects, including perceived exploitation.
NCCs may accept goods, services or other nonmonetary compensation from clients
only in cases where no referrals are possible or appropriate and if the arrangement is
discussed with the client in advance, is an exchange of a reasonable equivalent value,
does not place the counselor in an unfair advantage, is not harmful to the client or their
treatment and is documented in the counseling services agreement.
Directive 4 -
\NCCs shall not accept gifts from clients except in cases when it is culturally appropriate
or therapeutically relevant because of the potential confusion that may arise. NCCs
