The 2023 Revision to the CRCC Code of Ethics: Implications for Defining and Protecting the Counselor–Client Relationship

The revised 2023 Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Code of Ethics, adopted in September 2022, addresses changes in ethical standards related to the counseling relationship. To promote awareness and understanding of these changes, this article reviews the purpose of Section A (The Counseling Relationship) of the CRCC Code of Ethics and provides a summary of the key revisions that have been made to Section A in the new revised Code and how the changes in these sub-sections of Section A impact counselors/practice.

Ethics Consultation in Rehabilitation Counseling

The present study was designed to provide information about the content of the advisory opinions provided by the Ethics Committee of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Specifically, a content analysis was performed on all of the advisory opinions rendered between March 1996 and November 2013. NVivo10 was utilized to systematically inspect the content of the opinions and describe emerging patterns. Results from the study revealed that most of the advisory opinions addressed ethical standards related to the counseling relationship, confidentiality, resolving ethical issues, and professional responsibility. Implications for future education outreach initiatives and research directions are discussed.

Analysis of the Reported Ethical Complaints and Violations to the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, 2006–2013

This study reviewed ethical complaints and violations received from Fiscal Year 2006–2013 by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. There were 71 complaints, of which 37 cases (52.1%) progressed to full adjudication. Of the cases involving a violation, more than half (56.4%) involved ethical misconduct pertaining to role and relationship boundaries, client rights and welfare, and honest and responsible conduct. Strategies to ameliorate common violations as well as define and promote the ethical behavior of all Certified Rehabilitation Counselors are provided.

Content Analysis of the Advisory Opinion Archive of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification

Rehabilitation counselors are taught to use the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors in conjunction with ethical decision-making models to resolve ethical dilemmas. In this article, the authors underscore the importance of consultation in the process of ethical decision making. Advisory opinions provided by the Ethics Committee of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification are discussed as one method of consultation. The purpose and the process of requesting advisory opinions are discussed. Additionally, information about the content of the advisory opinion archive maintained by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification is provided. All opinions provided by the Ethics Committee between 1996 and 2006 are organized by category and so presented. Implications for counselors and suggestions for utilization of advisory opinions are explored.