What do counselors who adhere to mandatory ethics believe?

Counselors who adhere to mandatory ethics believe that they must comply with basic ethical statements. This perspective emphasizes the importance of following established ethical standards and guidelines that are fundamental to the practice of counseling. Mandatory ethics serve as the minimum baseline that counselors must meet to protect clients and ensure responsible practice. Adhering to these standards helps reinforce accountability and professionalism within the counseling field.

While consultation with other counselors is an important practice, and exceeding ethical requirements may reflect an aspirational stance, mandatory ethics focuses specifically on the necessity of compliance with foundational ethical codes. Bypassing ethical guidelines contradicts the very principle of mandatory ethics, which stresses the importance of operating within established ethical frameworks.