Understanding the Upcoming Changes to the ACA Code of Ethics

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is in the midst of a comprehensive revision of its 2014 ACA Code of Ethics, a process designed to ensure the document remains relevant, practical, and responsive to the evolving realities of Counseling practice. Lynn E. Linde, EdD, ACA Fellow, and Chief of Professional Practice at ACA, recently shared insights into what Counselors can expect from the revised Code, how the process has unfolded, and why these changes matter for the profession. 

“The core professional values and the ethical principles that underpin the Code of Ethics represent who we are as a profession and what we believe. We continue to believe these are important and will not change,” emphasizes Dr. Linde.   

Dr. Linde feels strongly that while revisions are underway, Counselors should understand that the Code continues to serve as a foundational guide to fulfilling their professional responsibilities with clients, students, supervisees, research participants, and consultees. It is not intended to govern every professional interaction, such as involvement in professional associations, organizational leadership, or such areas that are addressed through other accountability mechanisms. 

ACA recognizes that the current social, political, and legal climate has made ethical practice more complex, particularly for Counselors working in certain states or settings. The revised Code seeks to acknowledge these challenges by helping Counselors balance ethical responsibilities with legal mandates, without compromising foundational professional values. 

One of the most significant shifts in the revised Code is a move toward a shorter, more succinct core document, paired with supplemental guidelines.  

“Rather than elaborating upon areas that change frequently within the Code itself, guidelines that can be changed nimbly will be created to address these issues/areas,” says Dr. Linde. 

Dr. Linde advises that these guidelines will address areas that require more frequent revision or elaboration, such as artificial intelligence, record keeping, gatekeeping, and emerging technologies. This approach is intended to provide Counselors with clearer, more timely ethical guidance, while preserving the stability of the Code itself. 

Counselors will have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed revisions during the public comment period, which is expected to open by early March 2026 and remain open through mid-April. The draft Code will be posted on ACA’s website. 

“Anyone with an interest in the Code will be able to provide feedback. They will have to register to access the website, but they do not need to be a member of ACA,” says Dr. Linde. 

Following the public comment period, feedback will be carefully reviewed and incorporated as appropriate. The goal is to present the final revised Code of Ethics to the ACA Governing Board for endorsement and adoption at its fall 2026 meeting. 

In the meantime, Counselors are encouraged to stay informed by attending sessions at the ACA annual conference and other professional meetings, as well as by monitoring updates on the ACA website. 

The revision of the Code is taking place in two major phases: a review phase and a revision phase. 

The review phase occurred during 2023–2024 and was led by a review committee appointed during ACA President Dr. Kimberly Frazier’s term. Meeting monthly, the committee: 

• analyzed stakeholder feedback regarding potential changes. 

• reviewed ethics codes from comparable professional organizations. 

• evaluated the 2014 ACA Code to identify areas needing updates. 

• identified gaps related to emerging issues, such as AI and evolving standards around plagiarism. 

• recommended areas that would benefit from separate ethical guidelines. 

The revision phase began in January 2025 with the work of the Ethics Revision Task Force (ERTF). ERTF meets regularly and works through 10 subgroups, one for the preamble and one for each of the nine sections of the current Code. Each subgroup is responsible for drafting and refining its assigned section, with ongoing input from the full ERTF. 

Following an in-person meeting in June 2025 and continued refinement throughout the rest of last year, ERTF will convene again this month to finalize revisions. A draft of the revised Code will then be disseminated for stakeholder review, followed by legal review prior to submission to the Governing Board. 

According to Dr. Linde, the revised Code is designed to be more practical and responsive to an increasingly complex Counseling practice environment. By directly addressing current and emerging issues, and by supplementing the Code with adaptable guidelines, ACA aims to strengthen the profession by providing Counselors with authoritative ethical guidance that is also usable in day-to-day practice. 

“Counseling is no longer sitting in a room behind a closed door seeing clients individually, as couples, or in groups. Telehealth (and the Counseling Compact), AI, technology, and where and how Counselors practice always drive changes in the Code of Ethics,” concludes Dr. Linde