Section D Relationships With Other Professionals

Introduction

Professional counselors recognize that the quality of their interactions with colleagues can influence the quality of services provided to clients.They work to become knowledgeable about colleagues within and outside the field of counseling. Counselors develop positive working relationships and systems of communication with colleagues to enhance services to clients.

D.1. Relationships With Colleagues, Employers, and Employees

D.1.a. Different Approaches

• Counselors are respectful of approaches to counseling services that differ from their own.
• Counselors are respectful of traditions and practices of other professional groups with which they work.

D.1.b. Forming Relationships

• Counselors work to develop and strengthen interdisciplinary relations with colleagues from other disciplines to best serve clients

D.1. Relationships With Colleagues, Employers, and Employees

D.1.d. Confidentiality

• When counselors are required by law, institutional policy, or extraordinary circumstances to serve in more than one role in judicial or administrative proceedings, they clarify role expectations and the parameters of confidentiality with their colleagues. (See B.1.c., B.1.d., B.2.c., B.2.d., B.3.b.)

D.1.e. Establishing Professional and Ethical Obligations

• Counselors who are members of interdisciplinary teams clarify professional and ethical obligations of the team as a whole and of its individual members.
• When a team decision raises ethical concerns, counselors first attempt to resolve the concern within the team. If they cannot reach resolution among team members, counselors pursue other avenues to address their concerns consistent with client well-being.

D.1. Relationships With Colleagues, Employers, and Employees

D.1.f. Personnel Selection and Assignment

• Counselors select competent staff and assign responsibilities compatible with their skills and experiences.

D.1.g. Employer Policies

• The acceptance of employment in an agency or institution implies that counselors are in agreement with its general policies and principles.
• Counselors strive to reach agreement withemployers as to acceptable standards of conduct that allow for changes in institutional policy conducive to the growth and development of clients.

D.1. Relationships With Colleagues, Employers, and Employees

D.1.h. Negative Conditions

• Counselors alert their employers of inappropriate policies and practices. They attempt to effect changes in such policies or procedures through constructive action within the organization.
• When such policies are potentially disruptive or damaging to clients or may limit the effectiveness of services provided and change cannot be effected, counselors take appropriatefurther action.
• Such action may include referral to appropriate certification, accreditation, or state licensure organizations, or voluntary termination of employment.

D.1. Relationships With Colleagues, Employers, and Employees

D.1.i. Protection From Punitive Action

• Counselors take care not to harass or dismiss an employee who has acted in a responsible and ethical manner to expose inappropriate employer policies or practices.

D.2.a. Consultant Competency

• Counselors take reasonable steps to ensure that they have the appropriate resources and competencies when providingconsultation services.
• Counselors provide appropriate referral resources when requested or needed.

(See C.2.a.)

D.2.b. Understanding Consultees

• When providing consultation, counselors attempt to develop with their consultees a clear understanding of problem definition, goals for change,and predicted consequences of interventions selected.

D.2.c. Consultant Goals

• The consulting relationship is one in which consultee adaptability and growth toward self-direction are consistently encouraged and cultivated

D.2.d. Informed Consent in Consultation

• When providing consultation, counselors have an obligation to review, in writing and verbally, the rights and responsibilities of both counselors and consultees.
• Counselors use clear and understandable language to inform all parties involved about the purpose of the services to be provided, relevant costs, potential risks and benefits, and the limits of confidentiality.
• Working in conjunction with the consultee, counselors attempt to develop a clear definition of the problem, goals for change, and predicted consequences of interventions that are culturally responsive and appropriate to the needs of consultees.

(See A.2.a., A.2.b.)