Most countries developed ethical guidelines to regulate the counselling profession in order to address

ethical issues. In Malaysia, the Malaysian Counselling Association (PERKAMA) which was founded in
1980 was tasked with the responsibility to create its own Code of Ethics. The Counsellors’ Act (580) was
introduced in 1998 and it outlined the procedures for licensing and certification of new counsellors. The
Malaysian Counsellors Advisory Council (Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia) functions as a registrar and an
accreditation body for the licensure and certification.

It is important to note that these ethical codes have been created not just to protect clients against
abuse or malpractice but also to protect the counselling profession. Here are some general guidelines
governing the practice of counselling (ACA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, 2015):

(a) The Counselling Relationship

(i) Non-discrimination

Counsellors must respect diversity and must not discriminate against clients because of age, colour,
culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or socioeconomic
status.

(ii) Disclosure to Clients

Counsellors must adequately inform clients, preferably in writing, regarding the counselling process and
counselling relationship at or before counselling begins and throughout the counselling session.

(iii) Sexual Intimacies with Clients

Counsellors must not engage in any types of sexual intimacies with his clients.

(iv) Client Protection during Group Counselling

Counsellors must take steps to protect his clients from physical or psychological trauma resulting from
interactions during group counselling.

(v) Termination

Counsellors must assist in making appropriate arrangements for the continuation of his clientÊs
treatment, when necessary, following the proper procedures of termination.

(b) Confidentiality

Each of the confidentiality will now be discussed in detail.

(i) Confidentiality Requirement

Counsellors must ensure that information relating to counselling services be kept confidential unless
disclosure is in the best interest of client or it is required for the welfare of others, or it is required by
law. When disclosure is required, only information that is essential is revealed and the client is informed
of such disclosure.

(ii) Confidentiality in Group Work

Counsellors must clearly inform group members that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in group
work.

(iii) Confidentiality of Records

Counsellors must maintain appropriate confidentiality in creating, storing, accessing, transferring and
disposing of counselling records.

(iv) Disclosure or Transfer of Records

Counsellors must obtain clientÊs consent to disclose or transfer his counselling records to third parties.

(c) Professional Responsibility

Let us study the professional responsibility closely.

(i) Boundaries of Competence

Counsellors must only practise within the boundaries of their competence.

(ii) Continuing Education

Counsellors must engage in continuing education to maintain their professional competence.

(iii) Damage of Professionals

Counsellors must refrain from offering professional services when their personal problems or conflicts
may cause harm to his client or to others.
(d) Assessment and Interpretation

(i) Use of Assessment Instruments

Counsellors must perform only testing and assessment services for which they are competent.
Counsellors must not allow the use of psychological assessment techniques by unqualified persons
under their supervision. Counsellors must use assessment instruments in the manner for which they
were intended.

(ii) Assessment Explanations to Clients

• Counsellors must provide explanations to his clients prior to the assessment about the nature
and purposes of the assessment and the specific uses of the results.

• Counsellors must ensure that accurate and appropriate interpretations accompany any
releases of testing and assessment information.

• Counsellors must not base their assessment or intervention decisions or recommendations on

data or test results that are obsolete or outdated for the current purpose.

(e) Research and Publication

Let us now look at research and publication closely.

(i) Precautions to Avoid Injury in Research

Counsellors must avoid causing physical, social or psychological harm or injury to subjects during
research.

(ii) Confidentiality of Research Information

Counsellors must ensure that the information obtained about research participants are kept
confidential. Counsellors must not distort or misrepresent research data, fabricate or intentionally cause
biasness in the research results.

(f) Resolving Ethical Issues

(i) Ethical Behaviour Expected

Counsellors must take appropriate actions when they possess reasonable doubts of other counsellors
not acting in an ethical manner.

(ii) Cooperation with Ethics Committees

Counsellors must cooperate with investigations, proceedings and requirements of the ethics committees
of the association or board in their country which have a jurisdiction over those charged with a violation.