Ethics Update for Rehabilitation Counselors in the Private Sector

Abstract

The practice of retaining rehabilitation counselors as case consultants and forensic specialists (used interchangeably with expert witness throughout this article), in the private sector has grown significantly over the past 20 years. With that growth, the need for ethical guidelines for individuals practicing within these areas also has grown. Yet not until 2001, did certified rehabilitation counselors have a professional code of ethics that truly addressed some of the issues unique to this group of practitioners. The revised CRCC Professional Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors attempts to address these issues and also cover the diverse areas in which CRCs are qualified to practice within the private sector. While this article does not intend to be a primer regarding ethical considerations for rehabilitation counselors in the private sector; especially case consultants and forensic specialists, it does review some of the issues specific to rehabilitation counselors who practice in these areas and the new ethical guidelines to which case consultants and forensic specialists must be held accountable. A six year review of CRCC Ethics Committee actions is included as well as claims information, i.e., case examples, filed with a major malpractice insurance carrier against private sector rehabilitation practitioners. Questions for reflection on the implications of the revised Code for rehabilitation counselors in the private sector also are included.