ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the information, resources, and critical thinking skills necessary to feel confident in one's ability to move through complex situations for the betterment of clients. It recognizes that training programs often have an entire class on legal and ethical issues in counseling. The chapter seeks to bridge that gap and provides people with the necessary information for protecting clients and practicing ethically, as that is their obligation. It discusses the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and note other ethical codes for practice. Counselors use codes of ethics to guide and support ethical decision making in the field. Ethical codes came about to uphold best practice within the profession, set by those in the profession. The foundation for the counseling relationship is trust. Informed consent is one of the first steps to establishing a relationship founded on trust and well-being.
