Code or Manual of Technical Standards for Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselors

January 22, 2009

PRBGC BOARD RESOLUTION NO. 01-09

CODE OR MANUAL OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR REGISTERED AND LICENSED GUIDANCE COUNSELORS

WHEREAS, "TECHNICAL STANDARDS" refers to acceptable principles and regulations for the adequate practice of guidance and counseling, further measure the guidance counselor's personal integrity in thought and conduct, and determining the criterion of professional work excellence;

WHEREAS, the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling, hereinafter called the Board, is empowered to "(i) [P]romulgate rules and regulations including . . . the Code or Manual of Technical Standards for Guidance Counselors . . . to carry out the provisions of R.A. No. 9258", and "(r) [A]dopt measures necessary and proper for the high and ethical and professional standards in the maintenance of the practice of the profession"; "(j) [I]nvestigate violation . . . Code or Manual of Technical Standards . . ."; "(1) [R]ender decision, order or resolution or in preliminary in or inquiry against violators of . . . Code of Technical Standards . . ."; (m) [I]ssue, suspend, revoke, or re-issue any license [Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card] for the practice of Guidance and Counseling as defined in this Act"; (Sec. 5 Powers, . . . of the Board, Art. II of R.A. No. 9258, known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004");

WHEREAS, Sec. 24, Art. II of R.A. No. 9258 states, to wit: "Sec. 24 . . . The Certificate of registration may be revoked or suspended . . . for violation . . . Code of Technical Standards for Guidance Counselors . . .";

WHEREAS, "Any unethical practice of guidance and counseling as may be defined in a . . . Code of Technical standards to be prepared by the Board in consultation with guidance and counselors, is prohibited". (Par. 3, Sec. 27, Art. IV of R.A. No. 9258); and

WHEREAS, the Board, pursuant to the powers thereof under Sec. 5 (i) and (r), Art. II of R.A. No. 9258 drafted the Code of Technical Standards for Registered and Licensed Guidance and Counselors, after consultation with the Interim Accredited Professional Organization of Guidance Counselors and other associations, affiliate and submitted the same to the Commission for the approval of the latter as part of the rules and regulations of the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004";

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board resolves, as it is hereby resolved, to promulgate and issue the "Code of Technical Standards for Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselors", Annex "A" to this Resolution, and an integral part of Board Res. No. 02, Series of 2007, known as the "Rules and Regulations of the Guidance Counseling Act of 2004". AacCIT

Administrative Penalties. — Any registered and licensed Guidance Counselor who violates any provision of this Code shall be administratively liable under Sec. 24, Art. III of R.A. No. 9258 and Sec. 24, Rule III of Board Resolution No. 02, Series of 2007, the "RR of R.A. No. 9258".

Separability Clause. — If any part of this Code is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provision/s or part/s thereof not affected thereby, if separable, shall continue to be valid, enforceable, and operational.

Effectivity. — This Resolution shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the full and complete publication thereof in the Official Gazette, or in any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let copy hereof be furnished for dissemination to the interim Accredited Professional Organizations, the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, Inc. (PGCA), the Registered Integrated National Organization of Registered and Licensed Guidance Counselors duly accredited and recognized by the Board of Guidance and Counseling subject to approval by the Commission.

Done in the City of Manila this 22nd day of January 2009.

(SGD.) LILY ROSQUETA-ROSALESOfficer-in-Charge

(SGD.) LUZVIMINDA S. GUZMANMember

ATTESTED:

(SGD.) CARLOS G. ALMELORSecretary

APPROVED:

(SGD.) NICOLAS P. LAPEÑA, JR.Chairman

(SGD.) RUTH RAÑA PADILLACommissioner

(SGD.) NILO L. ROSASCommissioner

ANNEX A

"CODE OR MANUAL OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR REGISTERED AND LICENSED GUIDANCE COUNSELORS"

This Technical Standards of Good Practice considers the changing circumstances in which Guidance and Counseling is now being delivered-changes in the range of issues and levels of need presented by clients; professional growth in levels of expertise from practitioners, ongoing continuing education programs; and the accumulated experience of the Guidance and Counseling Profession Association over four decades.

Guidance and Counseling practice is found in various settings. The diversity of settings oftentimes may have a practitioner working alone or two or more practitioners providing Guidance and Counseling services within an institution (school, community, industry, private counseling clinic, hospital, counseling center and hospice). Modes of delivery services vary from one setting to more than one. Thus, practitioners are faced with the challenge of responding to diverse clients in diverse setting and helping them effectively.

The term "practitioner" refers to anyone providing professional Guidance and Counseling services as mandated by Republic Act 9258 (The Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004) and the Implementing Rules and Regulations attached to this Law. Professional Guidance and Counseling services rendered for free or for a fee must be delivered only be licensed professionals. The term "client" as a generic term refers to the recipient of any of these services. Terms "practitioner" and "client" may have alternative names in the practice setting as terminology varies according to context and custom. CSHEca

I. MAINTAINING A STANDARD OF GOOD PRACTICE

All clients are entitled to a standard of good practice from practitioners in Guidance and Counseling. Standards of good practice require professional competence; good relationships with clients and colleagues; and commitment to and observance of professional ethics.

Good quality of practice requires competently-delivered services that meet the client's needs by practitioners who are appropriately supportive and accountable.

1. Practitioners should give careful consideration to the limitations of their training and experience and work within these limits, taking advantage of available professional support. If work with clients requires the provision of additional services operating in parallel with guidance and counseling, the availability of such services ought to be taken into account, as their absence may constitute a significant limitation.

2. Good practice involves clarifying and agreeing to the rights and responsibilities of both the practitioner and client at appropriate points in their working relationship.

3. Dual relationship arise when the practitioner has two or more kinds of relationship concurrently with a client, for example, client and trainee, acquaintance and client, colleague and supervisee. The existence of a dual relationship with a client is seldom neutral and can have a powerful beneficial or detrimental impact that may not always be easily foreseeable. For these reasons, practitioners are required to consider the implications of entering into dual relationships with clients, to avoid entering into relationships that are likely to be detrimental to clients as they are accountable to clients and colleagues for any dual relationship that may occur.

4. Practitioners are encouraged to keep appropriate records of their work with clients. All records should be accurate, respectful of clients and colleagues and protected from unauthorized disclosure. Practitioners should take into account their responsibilities and their clients' rights under the Philippine Constitution, the Guidance and Counseling Act (Republic Act 9258), the Code of Ethics and any other legal requirements.

5. Clients are entitled to competently-delivered services that are periodically reviewed by the practitioner. These reviews may be conducted, when appropriate, in consultation with clients, supervisors, managers or other practitioners with relevant expertise.

II. MAINTAINING COMPETENT PRACTICE

6. All practitioners must have regular and on-going continuing education in view of professional development. Managers/directors, coordinators/supervisors, educators, researchers and providers of counseling services including volunteers in counseling centers and various settings are required to review periodically their need for professional and personal growth and to upgrade their skills, knowledge, and competencies.

7. Regularly monitoring and reviewing one's work is essential to maintaining good practice. It is important to be open to appraisals and assessments and be conscious in considering feedbacks from colleagues. Responding constructively to feedbacks helps to advance the practice.

8. Practitioners should be conscientiously aware of any legal requirements concerning their work and be legally accountable for their practice. CEDScA

III. KEEPING TRUST

9. The practice of Guidance and Counseling depends on gaining and honoring the trust of clients. Keeping trust requires an attentiveness to the quality of listening and respect offered to clients, culturally appropriate ways of communicating that are courteous and clear, maintaining respect for privacy and dignity, and careful attention to client's consent and confidentiality.

10. Clients should be adequately informed about the nature of the services being offered. Practitioners should obtain a written and informed consent from their clients and respect a client's right to choose as to whether to continue with or withdraw from the services.

11. Practitioners should ensure that services are normally delivered on the basis of the client's explicit consent. Reliance on implicit consent is more vulnerable to misunderstandings and is best avoided unless there are sound reasons for doing so. Practitioners should be accountable to clients, colleagues and the profession if they override a client's known wishes.

 

12. When clients pose a risk of causing serious harm to themselves or others, the practitioner should be alert to the possibility of conflicting responsibilities between those concerning their client, significant others, and society. Consultation with a supervisor or experienced practitioner is strongly recommended, whenever this would not cause undue delay. In all cases, the aim should be to ensure for the client a good quality of care that is as respectful of the client's capacity for self-determination and trustworthiness as circumstances permit.

13. Working with young people requires specific ethical awareness and competence. The practitioner is required to consider and assess the balance between young people's dependence on adults and their progressive development towards independent living. Working with children and adolescents requires careful consideration of issues concerning their capacity to give consent to receiving any professional service independent of parental consent and the management of confidences disclosed by these clients.

14. Respecting confidentiality is a fundamental requirement for keeping trust. The professional management of confidentiality concerns the protection of personally identifiable and sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure. Disclosure may be authorized by client's written consent or the law. Any disclosures should be undertaken in ways that best protect the client's trust. Practitioners should be accountable to their clients and to their profession for management of confidentiality in general and particularly for any disclosure made without their client's consent.

15. Practitioners should be willing to respond to their client's request for information about the way they are working and any assessment that they may have done. This professional requirement does not apply when imparting this information would be detrimental to the client or inconsistent with the counseling or psycho-therapeutic approach previously agreed with the client. Clients may have legal rights to this information and this must be taken into account.

16. Practitioners must not abuse their client's trust in order to gain sexual emotional, financial or any other kind of personal advantage. Sexual relations or any other type of sexual activity or sexualized behavior with clients are prohibited. Practitioners should exercise caution before entering into personal or business relationships with former clients and should be accountable if the relationship becomes detrimental to the client or to the profession.

17. Practitioners should not allow their professional relationships with clients to be prejudiced by any personal views they may have about lifestyle, gender, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, beliefs or culture. DIETcC

18. Practitioners should be clear about any commitment made with the clients and colleagues and to honor these commitments.

IV. TEACHING AND TRAINING

19. All practitioners are encouraged to share their professional knowledge and practice in order to benefit their clients and the public.

20. Only qualified doctoral-degree holders are to teach the doctoral program courses in Guidance and Counseling.

21. Practitioners who provide counselor education and training should have professional continuing education, knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies to be effective teachers, facilitators and trainers.

22. Practitioners involved in teaching and training must update their syllabi, modules, curricular programs and courses periodically to be relevant and be within the prescribed Guidelines of RA 9258, the Implementing Rules and Regulations, and the Commission of Higher Education. DcSEHT

23. Internship and practicum courses should be done in diverse setting to enhance the skills, knowledge and competencies of Guidance and Counseling students.

24. Curricular programs, training courses, learning modules, and seminar programs should be evaluated in terms of contents, strategies or techniques, implementation process, and the expected output to ensure total effectiveness.

25. Practitioners should always be fair, accurate and honest in their assessment of their students.

26. A written consent is required from clients if they are to be observed, recorded, or if their personally-identifiable disclosures are to be used for training purposes.

27. Practitioners must serve as role models for professional behavior.

V. SUPERVISING AND MANAGING

28. Practitioners are responsible for clarifying responsibility for the work with the client.

29. Counselors, guidance specialists, guidance mentors, supervisors and trainers may receive supervision/consultative support independently.

30. Supervisors and managers have a responsibility to help practitioners acquire professional competencies, maintain and enhance further the guidance and counseling practice for the clients' welfare.

31. Practitioners give due credit to clients or supervisees for their contributions to research and scholarly projects through co-authorship, acknowledgment or other appropriate means, in accordance with such contributions.

VI. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION

32. Guidance Counselors are committed to fostering research that will inform and develop the guidance and counseling practice. Practitioners are encouraged to support research undertaken on behalf of the profession and to participate actively in relevant research work. aTSEcA

33. Researches should be undertaken with rigorous attentiveness to the quality and integrity both of the research itself and of the dissemination and application of the research results, if appropriate.

34. Articles and researches for publication must be peer-refereed.

35. Responsibility and accountability as well as intellectual honesty in doing research by the Practitioner should be upheld and observed respectively at all times.

36. The rights of research participants should be carefully considered and protected. The rights include the right to freely give an informed consent, and the right to withdraw at any point.

37. The research methods used should comply with the standards of good practice in guidance and counseling, Code of Ethics, R.A. No. 9258.

38. Practitioners acknowledge other researchers who have contributed significantly to the research and/or publication, and those who have done previous work on the topic.

39. Research work should be presented in fora, conventions, and conferences for public dissemination.

VII. ASSESSMENT AND REPORT

40. Practitioners should select standardized psychological tests that meet the purpose for which they are to be used and that are appropriate for their intended clients.

41. Practitioners must have the professional knowledge, skills, and competencies in test administration, test interpretation, and preparing reports.

42. Practitioners should interpret test scores based on appropriate norms.

43. Practitioners should examine and understand the specimen sets, test booklets, manuals, directions, answer sheets, scoring templates, and score reports before administering and assessing.

44. Practitioners should take into account any differences in test administration practices or the client's familiarity with the test items.

45. In selecting tests, practitioners should use test that are culturally-fair in terms of gender, ethnic background, religion, race, and handicapped conditions.

46. Practitioners should be aware of client's limitations in understanding language usage and technical terminology.

47. Practitioners should ask the consent of a parent or a guardian of a minor before giving an assessment tool and explain the purpose for this.

48. Practitioners should comply with the test administration, test scoring and test interpretation procedures as prescribed in the Test Manual.

49. Practitioners should inform the client of the assessment results in a manner that is clearly understood.

50. A copy of the psychological report stamped with the word CONFIDENTIAL may be provided by the Practitioner to the client.

51. Practitioners should use assessment data by taking into account various factors and characteristics of the client being assessed that might affect the practitioner's judgment or reduce the accuracy of interpretation. aESTAI

52. Practitioners do not base assessments, recommendations or test results that are outdated for the current purpose.

53. Practitioners make reasonable efforts to maintain the integrity or security of tests and other assessment techniques.

VIII. REVIEW CENTERS AND CLASSES

54. Only degree-granting institutions offering CHED-approved Guidance and Counseling programs are regulated to have review centers and classes for licensure purposes, and must be approved by the Professional Regulation Commission.

55. Review classes shall be handled only by competent masters and doctoral degree holders in Guidance and Counseling.

56. A member of the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling (PRBGC) may serve as lecturer in Review Centers of institutions offering CHED approved Guidance and Counseling programs only two years after his/her term in the PRBGC.

IX. FITNESS TO PRACTICE

57. Practitioners have a responsibility to monitor, and maintain their fitness and update their competencies to practice at a level that enables them to provide effective service. If their effectiveness becomes impaired for any reason, including health or personal circumstances, they should inform and talk to their immediate supervisor regarding the situation. Results of consultation with supervisor and experienced colleagues will help the practitioner to make the appropriate decision.

58. Attending to the practitioner's well-being is essential to sustaining good practice. Practitioners have a responsibility to themselves to ensure that their work does not become detrimental to their health or well-being by ensuring that the way they undertake their work is as safe as possible and that they seek appropriate professional support and services when the need arises.

 

59. Practitioners are entitled to be treated with proper consideration and respect consistent with Standards of Good Practice.

X. RESPONSIBILITIES TO ALL CLIENTS

60. Practitioners have a responsibility to protect clients when they have good reason for believing the client's well-being is at risk.

61. If matters cannot be resolved, practitioners should review the grounds for concerns and evidences available and have appropriate consultation.

62. If practitioners are uncertain as what to do, their concerns should be discussed with an experienced colleague or supervisor provided they strictly follow the guidelines in keeping trust.

63. Practitioners are strongly encouraged to ensure that their work is adequately covered by insurance for professional indemnity and liability.

XI. WORKING WITH COLLEAGUES

64. Professional relationships should be conducted in a spirit of mutual respect and collegiality.

65. Practitioners should endeavor to attain good working relationships that enhance effective services to clients at all times.

66. Practitioners should treat all colleagues fairly and foster equal opportunity.

67. Practitioners should maintain their professional relationships with colleagues and not be prejudiced by their own personal views about a colleague's lifestyle, gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, beliefs or culture. aIHCSA

68. Practitioners should refrain from undermining a colleague's relationships with clients by making unjustified or unsustainable comments.

69. All communications between colleagues about clients should be on a professional basis.

XII. HANDLING PRACTITIONER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

70. Practitioners should respond promptly and appropriately to any written complaint received from their clients.

71. Practitioners should endeavor to remedy any harm they may have caused their clients and to prevent any further harm.

72. Practitioners should discuss, with their supervisor, manager or other experienced practitioner(s), the circumstances in which they may have harmed a client in order to ensure that the appropriate step will be taken to mitigate any harm and to prevent any repetition. cEHSIC

73. If practitioners consider that they have acted in accordance with good practice but their client is not satisfied that this is the case, they may use independent dispute resolution including seeking a second professional opinion, mediation, or conciliation, whichever is both appropriate and practical.

XIII. AWARENESS OF CONTEXT

74. The practitioner is responsible for learning about and taking into account the different protocols, conventions and customs that can pertain to different working contexts and cultures.

XIV. MAKING AND RECEIVING REFERRALS

75. All routine referrals to colleagues and other services should be discussed with the client in advance and the client's consent obtained both to making the referral and also to disclosing information to accompany the referral.

76. Reasonable care should be taken to ensure that (a) the recipient of the referral is able to provide the required service; (b) any confidential information disclosed during the referral process will be adequately protected; and (c) the referral will be likely to benefit the client.

77. Prior to accepting a referral the practitioner should give careful consideration to (a) the appropriateness of the referral; (b) the likelihood that the referral will be beneficial to the client; and (c) the adequacy of the client's consent to the referral.

78. If the referring party is professionally required to retain overall responsibility for the work with the client, it is professionally appropriate that said referring party be provided with brief progress reports. Such reports should be made in consultation with clients and not normally against their explicit wishes. CEDScA

XV. PROVIDING CLIENTS WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION

79. Practitioners are responsible in clarifying in advance to the client the terms on which their services are being offered including the client's financial obligations and/or other reasonably foreseeable costs or liabilities.

80. All information about services should be honest, accurate, devoid of unjustifiable claims, and be consistent with maintaining the professional standing of Guidance and Counseling.

81. Particular care should be taken in maintaining the integrity of presenting qualifications, accreditation and professional standing.

XVI. ACCESSIBILITY OF SERVICES

82. Practitioners make their Guidance and Counseling services accessible to all regardless of the client's socioeconomic status or inability to pay such professional fee. In this case, no client should be turned away or refused by the practitioners for monetary reason. Foundations may be tapped via networking. CcTIDH

83. Practitioners render voluntary or pro bono services in the community utilizing their knowledge and expertise in their field of specialization.

84. Practitioners have the responsibility to do advocacy in Guidance and Counseling via print media, film, TV, radio, and cyber technology.

XVII. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

85. Conflicts of interest are best avoided, provided they can be reasonably foreseen in the first instance and prevented from arising. In deciding how to respond to conflicts of interest, the protection of the client's interests and maintaining trust in the practitioner should be paramount.

86. Practitioners who own any business entity must refrain from engaging in any business activity under a Guidance Organization's name where such personal interest is highly placed.

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 105, No. 13, p. 1856 on March 30, 2009.