Counselors respect diversity and must not discriminate against clients because of age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status. (See A.II.1)

Counselors must adequately inform clients, preferably in writing, regarding the counseling process and counseling relationship at or before the time it begins and throughout the relationship. (See A.III.1.)

Counselors must make every effort to avoid dual relationships with clients that could impair their judgement or increase the risk of harm to clients. When a dual relationship cannot be avoided, counselors must take appropriate steps to ensure that judgement is not impaired and that no exploitation occurs. (See A.VI.1. and A.VI.2.)

Counselors must not engage in any type of sexual intimacies with current clients and must not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients within a minimum of two years after terminating the counseling relationship. Counselors who engage in such a relationship have the responsibility to thoroughly examine and document that such relations did not have an exploitative nature.

Counselors must take steps to protect clients from physical or psychological trauma resulting form interactions during group work. (See A.IX.2.)

Counselors must explain to clients, prior to their entering the counseling relationship, financial arrangements related to professional services. (See A.X.1-4. and A.XI.3)

Counselors must assist in making appropriate arrangements for the continuation of treatment of clients, when necessary, following termination of counseling relationships. (See A.XI.1.)

Counselors must avoid entering or immediately terminate a counseling relationship if it is determined that they are unable to be of professional assistance to a client. The counselor may assist in making an appropriate referral for the client. (See A.XI.2.)