COUN 6920 - Orientation and Ethical Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41660,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Madeleine Stevens
Professional Qualifications:
Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Ohio University
M.S.Ed., Counseling, Youngstown State University
B.S., Journalism, Ohio University
Assistant Professor / Counseling Program Assessment Coordinator College Counseling/Student Affairs Program Coordinator Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling
Email: mmstevens@ysu.edu
Office: Beeghly Hall RM 4108
Office Phone: 330-941-3306
Additional Contact Methods:
Office Phone
Preferred Contact Method: YSU Email
Communication Expectations:
Additional appointments scheduled as requested.
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Stevens
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Course Description
6920. Orientation and Ethical Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This course provides students with an introduction to the field of professional counseling and the foundations of community counseling. The course addresses the following topics: history, philosophy, cultural dynamics, advocacy, consultation, technology applications, and trends in professional and community counseling. The counseling profession’s ethical standards are also addressed with an emphasis on the ACA code of ethics and counselor ethical decision-making processes. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling (7th ed.). Pearson. | Remley, Jr., T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2024). | |
| Required | ACA Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/Resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf | American Counseling Association (ACA). (2014). | |
| Required | Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) Author. | American Psychological Association (APA). (2019). | |
| Required | Practitioner’s Guide to Ethical Decision Making. American Counseling Association. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/practioner-39-s-guide-to-ethical-decision-making.pdf | Forrester-Miller, H., & Davis, T. E. (n.d.) | |
| Required | The Law: Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules: Chapter 4757 Counselors, Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapists. Ohio Revised Code Title 47 Occupations-Professions. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-4757 | Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (2024). | |
| Required | Rules and Regulations of the Law: Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules: 4757 Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/4757 | Ohio Legislative Service Commission. (2024). | |
| Required | The Professional Board which Administers and Enforces the Law & the Rules/Regulations: For professionals. https://cswmft.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/cswmft/for-professionals | Ohio Counselor. Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. (2024). |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Tentative Course Schedule (Subject to Change)
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/25 | Review in class: Syllabus, ACA Code of Ethics (2014), Ohio RC and AC |
Welcome! Getting to know each other; course and syllabus review; setting expectations; overview of Professional Counseling history, roles, and functions across specialty areas CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.A.1, 3.A.2 |
CACREP Standards in 6920 - Self-Rating 1 (link on Blackboard) Student Info Survey (link on Blackboard) |
| 9/1 | Course Section I: Learning the Basics Introduction to Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling Malpractice in Resolving Legal/Ethical Challenges CACREP 2024 standards met: 3.A.8, 3.A.10 |
Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 1, 8 ACA Code of Ethics Preamble and Purpose; Section I Articles: Forrester-Miller & Davis Ethical Decision-Making Model review; Park et al 2023, A Content Analysis of the Counseling Literature on Ethics in Three Specialty Areas In Class: OH RC 4757.05 Organization of OCSWMFT Board; 4757.11 Establishing code of ethical practice OH AC 4757-5 Code of Ethics |
In Class: Quiz 1 and 2 In Class: PRACTICE Ethical Dilemma Project Deadline to sign up for clinical site for Professional Counseling Directory Contribution assignment (see Blackboard for link to sign-up sheet) |
| 9/8 | Course Section I: Learning the Basics Professional Identity of Counselors Professional Organizations State Licensure, Professional Credentialing CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.A.5, 3.A.6, 3.A.7, |
Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 2 In Class: OH RC 4757.01 CSWMFT Definitions; 4757.21 Diagnosing and treatment of mental and emotional disorders OH AC: 4757-3 Definitions, Titles; 4757-13 Licensing of Counselors |
In Class: Quiz 3 Deadline to sign up for Portfolio Component 2: Professional Counselor Interview and Observation assignment (see Blackboard for link to sign-up sheet Complete anonymous Student Reflection/Check-in Survey as needed – link on Blackboard. |
| 9/15 | Course Section I: Learning the Basics Issues in Counselor Education; Competence, Assessment, and Diagnoses Personal and Professional Evaluation Burnout and Self-care CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.A.11 |
Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 14, 7 ACA Code of Ethics: Section F (Training and Teaching); Section E; Section C CSI Wellness Position Paper (on Blackboard) Sweeney & Myers (2020) Excerpt of Wellness and Habit Change Draft (on Blackboard) In Class: OH RC 4757.36 Disciplinary actions OH AC 4757-9 Continuing education; 4757-11-02 Impaired practitioner rules |
Complete before class and bring for discussion: Sweeney & Myers (2020) Excerpt of Wellness and Habit Change Draft – Total Personal Wellness and Satisfaction Inventory In Class: Quiz 4 In Class: Review 6920 CACREP Standards and assign in course schedule! Ethical Dilemma Group Presentation 1 (Competence, assessment, dx topic): |
| 9/22 | Course Section I: Learning the Basics Multiculturalism, Values, Social Justice, and Advocacy CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.A.4, 5.C.8 |
Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 3 Articles: ACA Advocacy Competencies, 2018 (on Blackboard); Steele (2025), Preparing Counselors-In-Training to Discuss Culture: The Cultural Humility Choice Point |
ASYNCH COURSEWORK DUE BY 5:10 P.M. EST GROUP PRESENTATION TO OCCUR VIA TEAMS AT 5:10 P.M. EST DRAFT Professional Counseling Directory Contributions DUE – print and bring to class for in-class discussion in small groups In Class: Quiz 5 Ethical Dilemma Group Presentation 2: Complete anonymous Student Reflection/Check-in Survey as needed – link on Blackboard. |
| 9/29 | Course Section I: Learning the Basics Client Rights and Counselor Responsibilities | Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 4 OH RC 4757.13 Prominent display of fee schedule |
In Class: Quiz 6 Ethical Dilemma Group Presentation 3: CACREP Standards in 6920 - Self-Rating 2 (link on Blackboard) FINAL Professional Counseling Directory Contributions due to assignment portal in Blackboard |
| 10/6 | Course Section II: Practical Practice Procedures Confidentiality and Privileged Communication | Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 5; Appendix B OH RC 4757.44 Mental health professional - immunity & 2305.51 Mental health professional or organization not liable for violent behavior by client or patient Course Section II: Practical Practice Procedures Confidentiality and Privileged Communication Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 5; Appendix B OH RC 4757.44 Mental health professional - immunity & 2305.51 Mental health professional or organization not liable for violent behavior by client or patient OH RC 4757-5-02 Standards of ethical practice and professional conduct: clients/consumers of services |
In Class: Quiz 7 Ethical Dilemma Group Presentation 4: Complete anonymous Student Reflection/Check-in Survey as needed – link on Blackboard. |
| 10/13 | Course Section II: Practical Practice Procedures Records and Subpoenas; Working with Mandated and Court-referred Clients CACREP 2024 Standards Met: 5.C.6 |
Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 6, Appendices C and E OH AC 4757-5-09 Standards of ethical practice and professional conduct: record keeping OH RC 3701.74 Patient or patient's representative to submit request to examine or obtain copy of medical record |
In Class: Quiz 8 Ethical Dilemma Group Presentation 5: |
| 10/20 | No class – Work on your interview/observation! | ||
| 10/27 | Course Section II: Practical Practice Procedures Boundary Issues | Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 9 | In Class: Quiz 9 Ethical Dilemma Group Presentation 6: |
| 11/3 | Course Section II: Practical Practice Procedures Counseling Children and Vulnerable Adults & Counseling Families and Groups | Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 11, 12 |
In Class: Quiz 10 Ethical Dilemma Group Presentation 7 (counseling kids/adolescents): Ethical Dilemma Group Presentation 8 (counseling families): Complete anonymous Student Reflection/Check-in Survey as needed – link on Blackboard. |
| 11/10 | Course Section III: Enhancing Professional Practice Professional Relationships, Private Practice, and Health Care Plans Roles and Settings of CMHC (including Interdisciplinary community outreach and emergency management response teams) Review of Current Labor Market Information CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.A.3, 3.A.9, 5.C.7 |
Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 13 ACA Code of Ethics: Section D RESOURCE: CSI Webinars - Finding a job in counseling (on Blackboard) O*NET OnLine Ohio Employment Trends |
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| 11/17 | Course Section III: Enhancing Professional Practice Technology in Counseling | Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 10 Articles on BB in Course Content Week 13 folder ACA Code of Ethics: Section H In Class: OH RC 4757.50 Telehealth services & 4743.09 Standards for telehealth services; 4757.51 Counseling compact |
Complete anonymous Student Reflection/Check-in Survey as needed – link on Blackboard. |
| 11/24 | Course Section III: Enhancing Professional Practice Supervision and Consultation & Professional Writing, Conducting Research, and Publishing | Remley & Herlihy: Ch. 15, 16; Appendix F ACA Code of Ethics: Section F (Supervision); Section G In Class: OH AC 4757-17-01 Counseling Supervision |
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| 12/1 | POSTER PRESENTATIONS | Final Exam opens at 5 p.m. EST on Blackboard CACREP Standards in 6920 - Self-Rating 3 (link on Blackboard) Portfolio Component 2: Professional Counselor Interview and Observation PPT and Poster Presentations • All FULL PPT Presentations due to upload portal in BB! • All posters due – bring hard copies to class Portfolio Component 3: Personal Counseling Plan due to assignment portal in Blackboard COMPLETED COUNSELING PORTFOLIO DUE TO SLL BY 8 P.M. EST |
|
| 12/8 | FINALS WEEK Class does not meet! | Final Exam due at 8 p.m. EST on Blackboard |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.