/

B.C. ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL COUNSELLORS

STANDARDS FOR THE EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS IN CLINICAL COUNSELLING

GUIDELINES FOR SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE IN CLINICAL COUNSELLING

ETillCAL PRACTICE STANDARDS

May 27, 1994

STANDARDS FOR THE EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS IN CLINICAL COUNSELLING

To ensure that clinical counsellors have acquired diagnostic and treatment principles, and knowledge of counselling procedures, the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors requires that applicants for registration complete post-graduate training equivalent to a Master's degree in the fields of counselling, mental health, and human services.

Consistent with current acceptable North American standards academic studies must be obtained through a regionally-accredited post secondary institution of higher education (school, . college or university) . In Canada the institution shall hold membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada; in the United States is regionally accredited by bodies approved by the Council of Post secondary Accreditation and the United States Office of Education; in other countries is accredited by the respective official organizations having such authority.

Post-Graduate Programs

Applicants for registration with post-graduate degree in counselling, clinical or educational psychology, pastoral counselling, marital and family counselling, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing, and applied behavioral sciences, will receive consideration.

Core Courses Areas

Preferred degree programs will include graduate courses in human life-span development, counselling, personality theories, psychopathology, group dynamics, family studies, basic research design, and professional ethics, acceptable to the Registration Committee.

Practicum Training

A significant component of the post-graduate program will be practicum training under the supervision of recognized mental health professional. Practicum training is competency based and the mastery of component skills is necessary as the student progresses toward more involvement and responsibility in planning and implementing clinical counselling procedures. Most student require assistance in resolving a variety of ethical dilemmas which occur in practice. It is essential that the practicum student understand the limitations of their skills and recognize that they are not competent to offer independent, professional, clinical counselling services solely by virtue of their participation in a practicum program.

Mental health professionals who accept the responsibility of supervising practicum students are obliged to follow the Guidelines for Supervised Experience in Clinical Counselling and the Standards for Supervision of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors.

2

GUIDELINES FOR SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE IN CLINICAL COUNSELLING

Preamble

A period of supervised professional work experience is widely recognized, across the professions, as one of the prerequisites for professional registration for autonomous practice. The process of supervision, that is, the management of the work experience and evaluation of the 'Clinical counsellor's performance, serves as a bridge between graduate education and practicum training. The process of supervision encourages the student/supervisee in the detailed application of professional counselling skills in specific client situations.

Supervision serves a multiplicity of purposes for the trainee: provides guidance in administrative issues in the practice setting continue and expand education in skills offers emotional support provides evaluation for the purposes of the supervisee's growth develops administrative judgment relative to the supervisee's capacity for autonomous professional functioning as a clinical counsellor.

Assumptions

1. These guidelines will specify standards of supervision and will not address styles of supervision. 2. The systems put in place should be as simple and flexible as possible. 3. The standards determined will be minimum. 4. The onus will be on the supervisor and the supervisee to ensure that the guidelines are

followed and met. 5. The onus is on the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors to communicate guidelines and

requirements to potential applications.

Purpose

The purpose of supervision is to provide evidence that the applicant is capable of autonomous practice, and to establish competence in the declared areas of specialty established by the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors.

These guidelines apply to supervision during practicum training, during the two years of full-time (or the equivalent) paid experience in a mental health setting acceptable to the Registration Committee, and to Qualifying members who wish to become Registered members following one year of formal supervision rather than after two years of full-time (or the equivalent) paid counselling experience.

Qualifications of the Supervisor

The supervisor will be a recognized mental health professional approved by the Registration Committee. S/he will be competent in the specialty area identified by the applicant, with a minimum of five years of experience as a mental health professional. The supervisor will be familiar with both the Ethical Practice Standards and the Standards for Supervision of B.C.A.C.C.

Administrative Guidelines

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide all relevant and necessary information to the Registration Committee. A Supervision Plan, co-signed by the supervisee and the supervisor, must be submitted to the Registration Committee for approval. Any major changes to the original plan must be communicated by the supervisee (co-signed by the supervisor) to the Registration Committee. A progress report may be required by the Registration Committee at some point during the supervisory period. An evaluation report will be submitted to the Registration Committee, by the supervisor, on completion of the period of supervision.

3

.__,__ !

A supervisee may be supervised by more than one supervisor, provided that one recognized mental health professional assumes primary responsibility for the applicant's supervision, and ensures overall monitoring and coordination.

Standards for Supervision

1. There shall be one hWldred hours direct contact as a minimum for general supervision. Specific case discussion an~ skill training requires additional supervisory contact. Supervision is to be conducted on a face-to-face- basis either one to one or in a small group format, and shall not be substituted for by group seminars. It is likely that much more than one hWldred hours will be required over the period of supervision, especially with supervisees of lesser experience.

2. Ethical considerations and dilemmas, writing of reports, confidentiality of information, and referrals must be addressed.

3. Supervisors shall be available for emergency consultation and intervention in work settings when emergencies arise.

4. If the supervisor is a member of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors, in private practice, they are required to purchase additional liability insurance for each supervisee they Wldertake. Inadequate liability insurance contravenes the Association's Code of Ethics. If the Supervisor is not a member of the Association, the onus is on the supervisee to ensure that the supervisor carries adequate liability insurance for supervision.

5. The supervisee's clients must be informed in writing as to the supervisee's registration status and must be provided with specific information as to the supervisee's qualifications and fWlctions. Informed consent forms shall be signed and held in each client's file.

6. Clients shall be informed about how the process of supervision effects confidentiality. 7. All written reports and communications entered in the client's file shall be COWltersigned by

the supervisor. 8. Public annoWlcements of services and fees, and contact with the lay and professional

community, shall be offered only by, or in the name of, the supervisor and/or agency. 9. In any fee-for-service arrangement, setting and receipt of payment sh..'\11 remai.."1 the function of

the supervisor or employing agency, and will accurately reflect the level of service provided and the degree of the supervisee's involvement in the provision of service.

10. An ongoing brief record of supervision shall be maintained which details the types of activities in which the supervisee is engaged, the level of competence in each, and the type and outcome of all procedures.

11. Supervisors shall make the supervisee aware of his/her level of skills and limitations at the end of the period of supervision.

12. As an autonomous mental health practitioner the clinical coWlSellor must address private practice issues during the period of supervision: area of practice; client selection; getting to be known (advertising and publicity); system of referrals; accoWlting and record keeping; billing procedures; legal consultations; insurance; business and professional standards and ethics.

13. Any fees or expenses that may arise from the supervisory arrangement are solely the responsibility of the applicant.

Acknowledgment

The content for these guidelines has been adopted from the Guidelines Re: Supervision for Provisional Registrants, Psychologists Association of Alberta and the guidelines for Supervised Experience in Psychology, College of Psychologists of British Columbia.

4

ETHICAL PRACTICE STANDARDS

Preamble

Introduction

This document is intended to assist counsellors in maintaining a standard of practice which is professionally and ethically exemplary. Such a standard requires a proactive stance in ethical matters rather than a reactive stance. The standards herein provide general guidance based on fundamental ethical principles, but neither this nor any set of standards can deal with all possible situations that arise. These standards should therefore augment--not replace--independent ethical reasoning.

Another purpose of this document is to assist in the adjudication of complaints against counsellors.

The principles and standards herein focus on cotmSelling with individuals, but apply equally to group work and other areas of concern. Counsellors are referred to more detailed disCussions and standards with regard to these areas in the Reference section of this document.

Ethical Decision Making

Counsellors recognize their responsibility of being familiar with these Ethical Practice Standards, while also recognizing their own personal and professional limitations. When a given situation or course of action presents an ethical clilemma which cannot be resolved by reference to these or other appropriate standards, counsellors normally consult with knowledgeable colleagues or other authorities. The use of decision making models such as the following is also strongly recommended:

1. Identification of ethically relevant issues and practices. 2. Development of alternative courses of action. 3. Analysis of likely short-term, ongoing, and long-term risks and benefits of each course of action

on the individual(s)/group(s) involved or likely to be affected. 4. Choice of course of action after examination and application of existing values and standards. 5. Action, with a commitment to assume responsibility for the consequences of the action. 6. Evaluation of the course of action. 7. Assumption of responsibility for consequences of the action, including correction of negative

consequences in any and if possible, or re-engaging in the decision making process if the ethical issue is not resolved.

Ethical Principles

The following sections contain fundamental ethical principles upon which ethical standards are based, and from which ethical decision making may proceed. The principles highlight issues basic to ethical counselling practice. They have no assigned weight or predominance, but are all to be considered together with the . particular circumstances of a given situation.

1. RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF PERSONS

Principle

Counsellors respect the dignity and worth of people by treating each person as a person or an end in him/herself, rather than as an object or as a means to an end.

Counsellors subscribe to the ideal of non-discrimination (see References) .

The counsellor's primary responsibility is to the individual(s) directly receiving or involved with the counsellor's professional activities, that is, the client. This responsibility is normally greater than the responsibility to those indirectly involved.

The counsellor-client relationship is primary, and tends to overrule other obligations except

5

where the condition, nature, or statements of the client present a clear and present danger to the welfare of others.

The counsellor is committed to his/her own self-awareness and uses it to protect the client from the intrusion of the counsellor's personal needs and/or issues into the counselling relationship at the expense of the client's needs.

The counsellor treats colleagues and all other persons with whom s/he interacts in a professional capacity with respect, honesty and fairness.

If the values of the counsellor conflict with those of the client, the counsellor will so advise the client and provide the option of referral to another counsellor.

Counsellors, as members of the community in which they live and work, consider the rights and safety of others and act so as to support those considerations.

2. INFORMED CONSENT

Principle

Counsellors uphold client rights to informed consent, that is the clients' full and activ.e participation in decisions which affect them, and freedom of choice based on the information shared.

Voluntary Clients

The client is the primary decision-maker as to the direction of a therapeutic undertaking. Clients have the right to accept or reject any task, exercise, or procedure suggested by the counsellor, and to be apprised of the rationale for, risks, benefits, alternatives to and interpretations of any and all counselling interventions. The client has a right to know of avenues of recourse in cases of disagreement on any aspect of the counselling relationship, to terminate the relationship to his/her satisfaction and to receive appropriate referral to other resources as needed. The counsellor also considers pertinent legislation regarding the competency of minors in determining their own treatment.

Involuntary or Non-competent Clients

Under legal or medical circumstances where informed consent cannot be given or assumed, a duly empowered Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) may be making decisions normally made by the client. In these conditions the counsellor acts in such a way as to promote the opportunity for the greatest possible degree of client self-realization compatible with legal and ethical obligations towards others.

The counsellor respects the ongoing right of client informed consent at the outset of the counselling relationship and at all times during the relationship.

The counsellor recognizes a client's right of access to all relevant records which are generated in the counselling relationship, unless that access would demonstrably and directly harm the client in a clinical sense, or if the legitimate interests of third parties are threatened.

Counsellors may choose to consult with a professional colleague about a client, where possible with the client's informed consent. In consultation, the client's identity is protected and the consultant is not placed in a conflict of interest position.

3. COMPETENCE

Principle

Counsellors, like all professionals, must be capable of delivering the services they offer. However, the fiduciary nature of the counsellor-client relationship (i.e. based on trust

6

and faith) renders the issue more crucial. Counsellors therefore must pursue excellence in a life-long commitment to optimize their professional competence, as embodied in the qualities of knowledge, ability, experience and judgement.

Counsellors recognize the boundaries of their competence and only provide services, use techniques, or accept employment positions for which they are qualified by training or experience.

When the needs or issues of a current or potential client exceed the ability of a counsellor to be of professional assistance, the counsellor discusses the issue with the person and offers a referral to appropriate alternatives. If the referral is declined, the counsellor may decline to initiate or continue the counselling relationship.

Counsellors must recognize when and if their personal issues are interfering with their ability to be of professional assistance to a current or potential client. Under these conditions the counsellors takes appropriate steps which may include consulting, client referral, and personal therapy.

The counsellor influences the development of the profession by continuous efforts to improve the professional practices s/he undertakes. Counsellors are committed to availing themselves of continuing education and professional development opportunities.

Counsellors investigate and take into account new legislation which may have an impact on their work, and communicate such knowledge to colleagues and clients as needed.

In selecting tests or assessment tools for use in a given situation, the counsellor carefully considers validity, reliability and appropriateness. The counsellor ensures that all testing is appropriately supervised and debriefed with clients, except for tests which are designed for self-administration and scoring.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY

Principle

The assurance of privacy is an important factor in facilitating the therapeutic alliance between counsellor and client, since the fiduciary nature of the counsellor-client relationship places the client in a position more vulnerable than that of the counsellor.

Counsellors respect and uphold client rights to privacy regarding all content and records of counselling sessions, up to legal and practical limits.

Counsellors ensure that any information involving clients or research subjects which is presented publicly in any form is presented so as to adequately protect the identity and dignity of the clients or subjects described.

The counsellor maintains the confidential nature of stored or disposed records and determines the locus of ultimate responsibility for such records in her/his work setting. When disclosure of confidential information is required by law or in an ethics investigation, the counsellor makes all reasonable efforts to inform the client prior to actual disclosure and to maximize confidentiality in the new situation.

Counsellors recognize the legal limits to confidentiality and ensure that clients understand those limits at the outset of and at all times during the counselling relationship.

If a client's condition or statements indicate that the client poses a clear and present danger to others, the counsellor takes reasonable personal action in the interests of public safety. Client informed consent is maintained unless this would compromise safety considerations.

7

5. INTEGRITY

Principle

Counsellors aspire to embody the qualities of professional integrity, i.e. honesty, fairness and trustworthiness.

In situations where ethical obligations are more stringent than legal ones, the counsellor aspires to meet ethical obligations.

Counsellors recognize their duty to cooperate fully if required by an ethics investigation brought by their professional affiliation.

When information is possessed that raises doubt as to the ethical behavior of a professional colleague, the counsellor consults the colleague in question. If doubts persist and no action is taken by the colleague, the counsellor reports the situation to appropriate authorities.

The counsellor accurately presents and implies her/his professional qualifications, experiences and knowledge, and corrects any misrepresentations or misunderstandings arising thereof, or of which s/he becomes aware.

Counsellors recognize that objectivity, professional judgement and client needs may be compromised by the existence of dual relationships with clients, and take steps to avoid or terminate such relationships by referral to appropriate alternatives.

Counsellors who are engaged in a work setting that calls for any variation from these standards make the variation known and either arrange for an ethically appropriate compromise or are prepared to seek other employment.

Counsellors respect the counsellor-client relationships of their colleagues, and do not provide professional services to someone already in a counselling relationship with another counsellor or therapist without flrst consulting the colleague in question.

In establishing fees for professional counselling services in private practice, the counsellor considers prevailing fee structures for other counsellors of similar qualifications in the community, as well as the financial means of clients. Where the fee structure is inappropriate for a client, the counsellor refers the client to comparable services of acceptable cost.

8