WEEK 4

• Code of ethics help counselors to remind them o their rights, responsibilities, and accountabilities in the counseling profession.
• The rights, responsibilities, and accountabilities of the counselors are based on the Counselor's Associations of Code of Conduct.
• CLIENT WELFARE - Counselor's primary responsibility is to respect the dignity and to promote the welfare of clients. They are also expected to encourage client's growth.
• CLIENT'S WELFARE - Counselors and their clients are expected to work together in crafting individual counseling plans consistent with the client's circumstance. 
• RESPECTING DIVERSITY - Counselors do not engage in discrimination based on diversity age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and socioeconomic status. Counselors shall respect differences and understand the diverse cultural backgrounds of their clients.
• CLIENT RIGHTS - Counselors shall disclose the purposes, goals, techniques, procedures, limitations, potential risks, benefits of the services to be performed and other pertinent information to the client throughout the counseling process. 
• CLIENT'S RIGHT -  Counselors offer clients the freedom to choose whether to enter a counseling relationship and to determine which professional will provide counseling, except when the client is unable to give consent.
• CLIENTS SERVED BY OTHERS - In cases where the client is receiving services from another mental health professional, with client's consent, inform the professional person already involved to develop an agreement. 
• PERSONAL NEED AND VALUES - Maintain respect for clients and avoid actions that seek to meet their personal needs at the expense of the clients. 
• PERSONAL NEED AND VALUES - Counselors shall be aware of their values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors and how these apply in a diverse society and avoid imposing their values on clients. 
• DUAL RELATIONSHIPS - Counselors are aware of their influential position over their clients and avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of the clients.
• DUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Counselors should not accept as superiors or subordinate's clients. 
• SEXUAL INTIMACIES WITH CLIENTS -Counselors should not have any type of sexual intimacies with clients and do not counsel persons with whom they Clients have sexual relationship.
• Counselors should not also engage in sexual intimacies with former clients within a minimum of two years. 
• MULTIPLE CLIENTS - In cases where counselors agree to provide counseling clients services to two or more persons who have a relationship, counselors clarify at the outset which person, or persons are clients and the nature of relationship they will have with each involved person.
• GROUP WORK - Counselors screen prospective group group counseling or therapy participants to determine those with compatible needs
• GROUP WORK - In  group setting, counselors take reasonable precautions to protect clients from physical or psychological trauma.
• FEES - Prior to entering the counseling relationship, the counselors clearly explain the clients all financial arrangements related to professional fees.
• PEOPLE WHO ABUSE DRUGS-Drug abuse is not just harmful to our physical health but to our mental health as well. It cannot be denied that drug addiction creates more social problems and contribute to social disintegration. Consequently, more youth victims cry for help and seek for counselors' attention 
• PEOPLE WHO USE TOBACCO - Slowly, our population recognizes the bad effects of tobacco to our health. However, many people still use and continue to use tobacco even if it is deadly. Users find it difficult to stop smoking. Hence, smokers who desire to quit tobacco were added to the list of the counselor's audiences. 
• WOMEN - Even with the changing role of women in society, men still predominantly control purchasing and decision-making powers. Most men still have less participation in household responsibilities and childcare. In this case, women's advancement is constrained. What complicates this situation is the women's perception about themselves and the society's expectations. Counselors are responsible in helping women appreciate their own values, abilities, aptitudes, and interests and to utilize these to develop their full potential.
• OLDER ADULTS - The aging population is increasingly rising and demands more attention. Retirees who are adjusting to life outside work feel lost and ignored. Life for them suddenly loses meaning. A transition from a busy life to retirement stage must be instituted. This is a challenge to the counseling profession. Other aging issues that require attention of counseling include loss of a a partner, decline of mental capacity and mobility, increased loneliness, decline in financial security, etc. 
• PEOPLE WITH AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been labeled as the most feared disease due to its incurability. Victims of this disease are seeking help to improve their quality of life and to handle their emotional stress and aid low self-esteem. Counseling approach requires sensitivity and appreciation of the intricacies of the disease, Counselors may also help in assisting and educating the victim's support system. 
• VICTIMS OF ABUSE - This population represents victims of domestic violence characterized by spouse and child abuses. Spouse abuse is often associated with poverty, drug abuse, and career disappointments. The abuse has also become rampant and has caused psychological damage to the victims. The counselors are increasingly being utilized to help the victims. 
• GAY MEN AND LESBIAN - There is a growing number of gays and lesbians that are coming out. However, there are still sectors in the society, including their own families, that avoid and discriminate them. They are usually the victims of harassment, violence, discrimination, and isolation. Gays and lesbians, like other sectors of the society, suffer from peer denial, family clash, health uncertainties, and prejudgment. Counseling will focus on self-awareness, self-acceptance, and understanding. 
• COUNSELORS IN SCHOOLS Counseling in schools has grown rapidly. Counselors are recognized especially in the preventive interventions and developmental stage. There are elementary school counselors, junior high school counselors, secondary school counselors, counselors in vocational schools, counselors in higher education, and counselors in community and junior colleges. The counseling service in the schools is usually located under the guidance and counseling services.
• COUNSELORS IN COMMUNITY SETTING This setting refers to employment in community, agency, and other non-school professional situations. Counselors can be found in community and mental health agencies, employment and rehabilitation agencies, correctional settings, and marriage and family practice. 
• COUNSELORS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR This setting refers to counselors who decided to do full time work as private practitioners or engage in part-time private practice while employed by Community agencies. This is feasible if the counselors' expertise and specialization matches or relevant to an adequate client population in the geographic area. 
• COUNSELORS IN THE GOVERNMENT Counselors are also present in various agencies of government or institutions supported by the government that are into social welfare, health, and education. Relevant agencies or institutions include public schools, public hospitals, public social welfare agencies such as that for the youth, children, and the aging.