What is the purpose of a code of ethics in counseling?

• A. To provide guidelines for professional and ethical counseling practices
• B. To discipline clients
• C. To set fees
• D. To evaluate treatment outcomes

Answer: (A)

A code of ethics in counseling sets the standards for how professionals should practice. It provides the guidelines for what to do and how to think when working with clients—covering informed consent, confidentiality, boundaries, avoiding harmful dual relationships, practicing within one's competence, and respecting cultural and individual diversity. This framework helps counselors make ethical decisions, especially in difficult situations, and promotes consistency and accountability across the profession. It also protects clients, supports supervision and licensure, and builds public trust in the field.

Disciplining clients, setting fees, or simply evaluating treatment outcomes aren’t the primary purposes of the code. The code guides professional behavior and decision-making, while those other functions are handled by separate processes and policies.