Forensic Ethics and Indirect Practice for the Rehabilitation Counselor

Abstract

For nearly 50 years, the specialty area of forensics has emerged as an established practice setting in rehabilitation counseling, and it is predicted to be the fastest-growing area of practice in the profession. Reflecting the increased number of practitioners in the specialty, the revised Code for Professional Ethics of Rehabilitation Counselors names Section F (Forensics and Indirect Services) as a guide to the ethical practice for rehabilitation counselors in this specialty. The section includes 17 standards specific to clients' and evaluees' rights, rehabilitation counselors' forensic competency and conduct, forensic practices, and forensic business practices. Furthermore, the unique relationship of the forensic rehabilitation counselor with the person receiving services is clarified through the introduction of the definition of evaluee, a term that has gained unilateral agreement throughout the field of forensic rehabilitation.

Forensic and Business Ethics

“…The 2010 iteration of the Code noted an important aspect of forensic and indirect service provision related to the CRCs/CCRCs’ interactions with the individuals they serve. Rehabilitation counselors in forensic settings do not have clients, they have evaluees, as there is no intent to provide rehabilitation counseling services directly to clients and there is no ongoing professional relationship (Barros-Bailey et al, 2009).…”