17 CAR § 390-303 – Advertising and social clients

(a) Accurate advertising.
1. (1) There are no restrictions on advertising by counselors, except those that can be specifically justified to protect the public from deceptive practices.
2. (2) Counselors advertise or represent their services to the public by identifying their credentials in an accurate manner that is not:
  1. (A) False;
  2. (B) Misleading;
  3. (C) Deceptive; or
  4. (D) Fraudulent.
3. (3) Counselors may only advertise the highest degree earned that is in counseling or a closely related field from a college or university that was accredited when the degree was awarded by one (1) of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation.
(b) Testimonials. Counselors who use testimonials do not solicit them from clients or other persons who, because of their particular circumstances, may be vulnerable to undue influence.
(c) Statements by others. Counselors make reasonable efforts to ensure that statements made by others about them or the profession of counseling are accurate.
(d) Recruiting through employment.
1. (1) Counselors do not use their places of employment or institution affiliates to recruit or gain clients, supervisees, or consultees for their private practices.
2. (2) See 17 CAR § 390-305(c).
(e) Products and training advertisements. Counselors who develop products related to their profession or conduct workshops or training events ensure that the advertisements concerning these products or events are accurate and disclose adequate information for consumers to make informed choices.
(f) Promoting to those served.
1. (1) Counselors do not use counseling, teaching, training, or supervisory relationships to promote their products or training events in a manner that is deceptive or would exert undue influence on individuals who may be vulnerable.
2. (2) Counselors may adopt textbooks they have authored for instructional purposes.
(g) Professional association involvement. Counselors actively participate in local, state, and national associations that foster the development and improvement of counseling.