Abstract

Abstract

The counseling of children and adolescents can bring up many questions and concerns, especially when dealing with ethical codes and principles. By examining areas of confidentiality and privacy, as well as structuring the therapeutic relationship within the clinical practice, many people can have a better understanding of how crucial ethics is, when counseling children and adolescents. As a counselor there are ethical obligations that must be followed and the APA ethical guidelines serve to assist those who have any questions when regarding a certain situation. A child that is receiving clinical counseling can also be different than an adolescent receiving counseling. A child’s parent is more involved in the childhood years in terms of consent, whereas in adolescents clinical practice can become more confidential and more difficult, especially when these adolescents deal with more struggles and are approaching adulthood. The law and clinical practice is also something to take into account when counseling children and adolescents. Having a better understanding of confidentiality, the structuring of the therapeutic relationship, and lastly the differences of ethics in clinical practice and law, can help future clinicians counsel children and adolescents in the future.