Counselors’ actions should be consistent with the spirit
as well as the letter of these ethical standards. No specific
ethical decision-making model is always most effective, so
counselors are expected to use a credible model of decision
making that can bear public scrutiny of its application.
Through a chosen ethical decision-making process
and evaluation of the context of the situation, counselors
work collaboratively with clients to make decisions that
promote clients’ growth and development. A breach of the
standards and principles provided herein does not necessarily
constitute legal liability or violation of the law; such
action is established in legal and judicial proceedings.