(a) Standard of Practice One (SP-1): nondiscrimination.

1. (1) Counselors respect diversity and must not discriminate against clients because of:

   1. (A) Age;
   2. (B) Color;
   3. (C) Culture;
   4. (D) Disability;
   5. (E) Ethnic group;
   6. (F) Gender;
   7. (G) Race;
   8. (H) Religion;
   9. (I) Sexual orientation;
   10. (J) Marital status; or
   11. (K) Socioeconomic status.
2. (2) See 17 CAR § 390-102(a).

(b) Standard of Practice Two (SP-2): disclosure to clients.

1. (1) Counselors must adequately inform clients, preferably in writing, regarding the counseling process and counseling relationship at or before the time it begins and throughout the relationship.
2. (2) See 17 CAR § 390-103(a).

(c) Standard of Practice Three (SP-3): dual relationships.

1. (1) Counselors must make every effort to avoid dual relationships with clients that could impair their judgment or increase the risk of harm to clients.

2. (2) When a dual relationship cannot be avoided, counselors must take appropriate steps to ensure that:

   1. (A) Judgment is not impaired; and
   2. (B) No exploitation occurs.
3. (3) See 17 CAR § 390-106(a) and 17 CAR § 390-106(b).

(d) Standard of Practice Four (SP-4): sexual intimacies with clients.

1. (1) Counselors must not engage in:

   1. (A) Any type of sexual intimacies with current clients; and
   2. (B) Sexual intimacies with former clients within a minimum of two (2) years after terminating the counseling relationship.
2. (2) Counselors who engage in such a relationship have the responsibility to thoroughly examine and document that such relations did not have an exploitative nature.

(e) Standard of Practice Five (SP-5): protecting clients during group work.

1. (1) Counselors must take steps to protect clients from physical or psychological trauma resulting from interactions during group work.
2. (2) See 17 CAR § 390-109(b).

(f) Standard of Practice Six (SP-6): advance understanding of fees.

1. (1) Counselors must explain to clients, prior to their entering the counseling relationship, financial arrangements related to professional services.
2. (2) See 17 CAR § 390-110(b) – 17 CAR § 390-110(e) and 17 CAR § 390-111(c).

(g) Standard of Practice Seven (SP-7): termination.

1. (1) Counselors must assist in making appropriate arrangements for the continuation of treatment of clients, when necessary, following termination of counseling relationships.
2. (2) See 17 CAR § 390-111(a).

(h) Standard of Practice Eight (SP-8): inability to assist clients.

1. (1) Counselors must avoid entering or immediately terminate a counseling relationship if it is determined that they are unable to be of professional assistance to a client.
2. (2) The counselor may assist in making an appropriate referral for the client.
3. (3) See 17 CAR § 390-111(b).