Which phrase refers to the formal standards governing counseling practice?

• A. Code of ethics for counselors.
• B. Code of professional conduct for physicians.
• C. Code of conduct for social workers.
• D. Business ethics for psychologists.

Answer: (A)

In counseling, formal standards come from a professional ethics code that lays out how practitioners should conduct themselves, handle confidentiality, obtain informed consent, set boundaries, and make ethical decisions. The phrase that best captures this is “Code of ethics for counselors,” because it is the specific ethical framework governing counseling practice. Other options refer to codes for physicians, social workers, or psychologists, which belong to those professions rather than to counseling. This counselor-specific ethics code provides guidance on essential duties, including confidentiality, dual relationships, cultural competence, and ongoing professional responsibility.