NCJ Number
123436
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 9-17
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Ethical standards of the American Association for Counseling and Development feature a 7-year revision cycle, and the newest revision of the association's "Ethical Standards" published in 1988 includes a standard specifically dealing with the counseling of minors.
Abstract
The standard indicates that counselors working with minors must protect clients' best interests. Clients must be informed regarding the purposes, goals, techniques, rules of procedure, and limitations that may affect the relationship at or before the time the counseling relationship is entered. In addition, when counselors work with minors or persons who are unable to give consent, they must protect those clients' best interests. Various State and Federal regulations may affect counseling decisions and thus impact the duty to protect clients' best interests. Further, the phrase "clients' best interests" is vague in definition and clarity. In terms of the standard's specific implications for juvenile offender counseling services, issues concerning residence and the climate of influence to which the minor is exposed are important. In certain instances, counselors may have limited input regarding placement decisions. 21 references.