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Code of Ethics - Certified Anger Solutions(TM) Counsellors
The CAASP Standards of Ethical Conduct
Professional Conduct At Large
1) I will conduct myself in a manner that reflects well on Anger Solutions™ Counseling or Coaching as a profession and I will refrain from doing anything that harms the public's understanding or acceptance of the Anger Solutions™ model of Counseling or Coaching as a profession.
2) I will honor agreements I make in my all of my relationships. I will construct clear agreements with my clients that include confidentiality, progress reports, and other particulars.
3) I will respect and honor the efforts and contributions of others.
4) I will respect the creative and written work of others in developing my own materials and not misrepresent them as my own.
5) I will not discriminate against any potential client based on race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or creed. I will treat all individuals as they wish to be treated, with dignity and respect.
6) I will use Canadian Association of Anger Solutions™ Professionals member contact information (email addresses, telephone numbers, etc. as listed in the directory) only in the manner and to the extent authorized by the Canadian Association of Anger Solutions™ Professionals.
Professional Conduct With Clients
6) I will accurately identify my level of counseling and/or coaching competence and I will not overstate my qualifications, expertise or experience as an Anger Solutions™ Counsellor, Certified Trainer, or Coach.
7) I will ensure that my client understands the nature of counseling and/or coaching and the terms of the agreement we set between us.
8) I will not intentionally mislead or make false claims about what my client will receive from the counseling or coaching process or from me as their counselor or coach.
9) I will not give my clients or any prospective clients information or advice I know to be misleading or beyond my competence.
10) I will be alert to noticing when my client is no longer benefiting from our counseling/coaching relationship and would be better served by another counselor/coach or by another resource and, at that time, I will encourage my client to make that change.
Confidentiality/Privacy
11) I will respect the confidentiality of my client's information, except as otherwise authorized by my client, or as required by law.
12) I will obtain agreement with my clients before releasing their names as clients or references or any other client identifying information.
Conflicts of Interest
13) I will seek to avoid conflicts between my interests and the interests of my clients.
14) Whenever any actual conflict of interest or the potential for a conflict of interest arises, I will openly disclose it and fully discuss with my client how to deal with it in whatever way best serves my client.
15) I will disclose to my client all anticipated compensation from third parties that I may receive for referrals or advice concerning that client.
The CAASP Pledge of Ethics
As an Anger Solutions™ Professional, I acknowledge and agree to honor my ethical obligations to my clients and colleagues and to the public at large. I pledge to comply with CAASP Code of Ethics, to treat people with dignity as independent and equal human beings, and to model these standards with the people with whom I work. If I breach this Pledge of Ethics or any part of the CAASP Code of Ethics, I agree that the CAASP in its sole discretion may hold me accountable for so doing. I further agree that my accountability to the CAASP for any breach may include loss of my CAASP membership or my CAASP credentials.
Specifically for Anger Solutions(TM) Coaches: The Difference Between Counselling and Coaching (courtesy of the International Coaching Federation)
Here are seven major differences between traditional psychotherapy and coaching:
§ As coaches we don’t “treat” mental health disorders.
§ Coaches are collaborators rather than experts. (This is the most difficult adjustment I’ve witnessed with therapists transitioning into coaching.)
§ Therapists rely on psychological theory, etiology and treatment plans for wisdom; as coaches, we look within the client for wisdom.
§ Therapy often asks, “Why?” and concerns itself with the client’s past; coaching often asks, “What?” and concerns itself more with the present and future.
§ Therapy seeks to fix unresolved issues; coaching seeks to help the client achieve greater fulfillment, balance and be fully in the process of his or her life.
§ Co-Active coaching focuses on the client’s whole life; traditional psychotherapy targets specific symptoms.
§ Traditional therapists withhold intuitive thoughts; coaches blurt intuitive thoughts.
Top 10 Best Practices: Coaching, Not Therapy (Jeff Kaplan, 2005)
§ During the intake, clearly define and co-design the coaching relationship with your client—identifying what coaching is and what coaching isn’t. See www.coachingfederation.org/aboutcoaching/about.asp, item #13 for a distinction of coaching from other services, including therapy.
§ Ask your new clientif s/he is in therapy. If so, get written permission to speak with the client’s therapist, making sure the therapist understands your role and the coaching goals. Yield to the therapist as having primary responsibility for the client’s well-being.
§ If the client is not in counseling and needs therapy in order to overcome a mental health disorder that is significantly impacting his or her daily functioning, do not begin coaching until the client is in therapy and is stable. If you’ve already begun coaching, then limit the focus and scope of the coaching to getting the client into therapy as soon as possible.
§ Do not agree to provide coaching as a substitute for needed therapy, regardless of the value you might be able to provide to your client.
§ If you are unsure about the potential therapy needs of a particular client, consult with other seasoned coaches, therapists and/or a lawyer who is an expert in this area.
§ Document! For example, record in your client’s notes that you gave him or her a handout on “Coaching Versus Therapy” in the client’s welcome packet and/or keep a copy of the signed coaching agreement that clearly distinguishes coaching as separate and distinct from therapy.
§ Continually seek out advanced coach training, especially in ethical practices.
§ Continually seek to improve yourself personally, raising your own level of self-understanding and clarifying your own needs. The more self-aware you are, the more “places” you will be able to travel with your client and greater benefit you will be able to provide as a coach.
§ Communicate with your client. Don’t shy away from a much-needed conversation because it might be uncomfortable. Share your concerns and ask questions.
§ Trust your instincts.
Adhering to this list of best practices will not guarantee a totally risk-free coaching business, but hopefully it has stimulated your awareness and will help you to minimize the risk of crossing into therapy territory. In practice, it is relatively uncommon for coaches to find themselves working with a client who should be in therapy instead of, or at least in addition to, coaching. If it does happen to you, however, hopefully you’ll now be more prepared.
Jeff Kaplan, PhD, is a certified Co-Active coach, licensed psychologist, author and trainer. He has a full-time private coaching business, working with middle- and senior-level executives. He has contributed much of his spare time and money developing programs to help underprivileged and troubled youth. In addition, Jeff just launched his new “Build Your Coaching Business NOW” program—a 16-week marketing and sales program for new coaches (six months-three years in practice). He can be reached at drjeff@drjeffkaplan.com.