A practical workbook for counsellors in supervision, grounded in the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice (Version 16) and the PACFA Code of Ethics (2017)
Every counsellor meets ethical dilemmas. Some arrive as a crisis in the middle of a session. Others creep in quietly: a small-town coincidence, a request from an employer, a gift at the last session, a moment when you notice you are tired or stretched. None of these mean you are doing anything wrong. They mean you are practising.
This workbook is designed to help you slow those moments down. It brings together what our two main Australian professional codes ask of us, what research tells us about how ethical decisions are actually made, and a practical step-by-step tool you can use on your own, with colleagues, or in supervision.
How to use this workbook
- Read Parts 1 to 3 once, to refresh the “why” and the principles behind ethical practice.
- Use Part 4 (the ETHICAL Pathway) whenever you face a dilemma. Copy the Decision Record in Part 5 and fill it in as you go; it doubles as the documentation both codes expect.
- Work through the practice scenarios in Part 6 on your own or bring one to supervision.
- Keep the companion Quick Reference Card near your desk for in-the-moment prompts.
An important note
This workbook supports, and does not replace, your professional code, supervision, legal advice or your insurer’s guidance. Codes are updated from time to time, so always check you are working from the current version published by your association. Where a situation involves legal obligations or imminent risk, seek appropriate advice promptly.