DISCUSSION POSTS— For your Main discussion posts, all discussions need to be a MINIMUM of 250 words. The main post must contain a minimum of two (2) different references from a peer reviewed journal or scholarly book or scholarly website. It is a good idea to use your Learning Resources each week. Wikipedia does not count as a scholarly website since the information is not validated. PEER RESPONSE POSTS should contain at least 150 words and one reference. All Discuss Posts should be written in APA format. The first paragraph is an introduction without you typing the word Introduction and ends with a thesis sentence. The paragraph following your introduction should begin with headings to organize your post. All in-text references must be in APA format. As standard practice, each paragraph should include at least one citation to support your points. A citation means you are either paraphrasing using a short quote to support your points. You must also place your reference list at the end of the main discussion post.
Learning Resources
Refer to the readings for your particular program of study:
• American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).Arlington, VA: Author
• “Cautionary Statement for Forensic Use of DSM-5” (p. 25)
• American Counseling Association (ACA). ACA Code of Ethics. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=4
• American Counseling Association (n.d.). Licensure & certification: State professional counselor licensure boards. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements/state-professional-counselor-licensure-boards
• Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (1992). Multicultural counseling competencies. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/docs/competencies/cross-cultural_competencies_and_objectives.pdf?sfvrsn=3
• Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling.(2009). Competencies for counseling with transgender clients. Alexandria, VA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/docs/competencies/algbtic_competencies.pdf?sfvrsn=3
Discussion – Week 2
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ACA Code of Ethics

Various associations including APA and ACA have their own legal and ethical guidelines. In addition, states have their specific codes of conduct for counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. In this Discussion, you will examine the guidelines in your own state and consider how they align with those put forth by associations.

To prepare:
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• Review your state’s legal and ethical guidelines.
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• Compare them also to the codes of ethics set forth by the ACA and the APA.
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• Consider which specific guidelines within the codes of conduct seem most important or encompassing to you.
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• Think about which guidelines might present the most challenge in your practice.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 a description of a specific guideline within the ACA Code of Ethics you regard as crucial in relating to clients and a description of a guideline you think might present the biggest challenge in conducting assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Explain why you selected each of the guidelines.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Read a sampling of your colleagues’ postings. Consider how your colleagues’ postings match or differ from your own.

Respond by Day 6 to at least two posting in any of the following ways:
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• Ask a probing question.
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• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
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• Offer and support an opinion.
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• Validate an idea with your own experience.
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• Make a suggestion.
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• Expand on your colleague’s posting.
Return to the Discussion forum in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Consider how the insights and suggestions offered by your colleagues might affect your handling of ethical and legal issues in your practice