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Professional Organizations' Codes of Ethics
By Ofer Zur, Ph.D.
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American Counseling Association (ACA) - (2005)
Section A.10.e., states: Counselors understand the challenges of accepting gifts from clients and recognize that in some cultures, small gifts are a token of respect and showing gratitude. When determining whether or not to accept a gift from clients, counselors take into account the therapeutic relationship, the monetary value of the gift, a client's motivation for giving the gift, and the counselor's motivation for wanting or declining the gift. Dr. Zur's note: The 2005 revision of the ACA Code of Ethics represents thoughtful and appropriate guidelines in regard to accepting gifts from clients. It acknowledges the importance of culture and other context related factors. National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) - (2004)
Dr. Zur's note: It is important to remember that gifts by themselves, in most situations, do not constitute dual relationships. It is not clear why the reference to gifts is placed under the title of Dual Relationships. As was noted above we must also be aware whether the gifts are of substantial value or not is not always the most important aspect of the gift from a clinical or ethical point of view. The following professional associations' Codes Of Ethics DO NOT mention "gifts" in their texts: |
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