Marriage & Family Therapy

The Board of Directors of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) hereby promulgates, pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.01.3 of the Association's Bylaws, the Revised AAMFT Code of Ethics, effective January 1, 2015.
The AAMFT strives to honor the public trust in marriage and family therapists by setting standards for ethical practice as described in this Code. The ethical standards define professional expectations and are enforced by the AAMFT Ethics Committee.

The ACA Code of Ethics serves six main purposes:
1. The Code sets forth the ethical obligations of ACA members and provides guidance intended to inform the ethical practice of professional counselors.
2.The Code identifies ethical considerations relevant to professional counselors and counselors-in-training.
3. The Code enables the association to clarify for current and prospective members, and for those served by members, the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by its members.
4. The Code serves as an ethical guide designed to assist members in constructing a course of action that best serves those utilizing counseling services and establishes expectations of conduct with a primary emphasis on the role of the professional counselor.
5. The Code helps to support the mission of ACA.
6. The standards contained in this Code serve as the basis for processing inquiries and ethics complaints concerning ACA members.

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) represents mental health counselors. This code is a document intended as a guide to: assist members to make sound ethical decisions; to define ethical behaviors and best practices for Association members; to support the mission of the Association; and to educate members, students and the public at large regarding the ethical standards of mental health counselors.

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) requires board certified counselors and applicants for national certification to adhere to minimum conduct standards.
In addition to publication of enforceable standards and required disclosure procedures, NBCC developed an effective and fair method for reviewing concerns related to applicants and board certified counselors. board certified counselors recognize the importance of fair review processes that are managed by counseling professionals as well as the advantage of being able to assure employers, potential clients, or uneasy family members that there is an established process available should concerns arise.