La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LX-2109

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section LX-2109 - Relationships with Other Professionals

A. Professional licensees recognize that the quality of their interactions with colleagues can influence the quality of services provided to clients. They work to become knowledgeable about colleagues within and outside the field of counseling. Licensees develop positive working relationships and systems of communication with colleagues to enhance services to clients.

1. Relationships with Colleagues, Employers, and Employees

a. Different Approaches. Licensees are respectful of approaches to counseling services that differ from their own. Licensees are respectful of traditions and practices of other professional groups with which they work.

b. Forming Relationships. Licensees work to develop and strengthen interdisciplinary relations with colleagues from other disciplines to best serve clients.

c. Interdisciplinary Teamwork. Licensees who are members of interdisciplinary teams delivering multifaceted services to clients keep the focus on how to best serve the clients. They participate in and contribute to decisions that affect the well-being of clients by drawing on the perspectives, values, and experiences of the counseling profession and those of colleagues from other disciplines.

d. Confidentiality. When licensees are required by law, institutional policy, or extraordinary circumstances to serve in more than one role in judicial or administrative proceedings, they clarify role expectations and the parameters of confidentiality with their colleagues.

e. Establishing Professional and Ethical Obligations. Licensees who are members of interdisciplinary teams clarify professional and ethical obligations of the team as a whole and of its individual members. When a team decision raises ethical concerns, licensees first attempt to resolve the concern within the team. If they cannot reach resolution among team members, licensees pursue other avenues to address their concerns consistent with client well-being.

f. Personnel Selection and Assignment. Licensees select competent staff and assign responsibilities compatible with their skills and experiences.

g. Employer Policies. The acceptance of employment in an agency or institution implies that licensees are in agreement with its general policies and principles. Licensees strive to reach agreement with employers as to acceptable standards of conduct that allow for changes in institutional policy conducive to the growth and development of clients.

h. Negative Conditions. Licensees alert their employers of inappropriate policies and practices. They attempt to effect changes in such policies or procedures through constructive action within the organization. When such policies are potentially disruptive or damaging to clients or may limit the effectiveness of services provided and change cannot be effected, licensees take appropriate further action. Such action may include referral to appropriate certification, accreditation, or state licensure organizations, or voluntary termination of employment.

i. Protection from Punitive Action. Licensees take care not to harass or dismiss an employee who has acted in a responsible and ethical manner to expose inappropriate employer policies or practices.

2. Consultation

a. Consultant Competency. Licensees take reasonable steps to ensure that they have the appropriate resources and competencies when providing consultation services. Licensees provide appropriate referral resources when requested or needed.

b. Understanding Consultees. When providing consultation, licensees attempt to develop with their consultees a clear understanding of problem definition, goals for change, and predicted consequences of interventions selected.

c. Consultant Goals. The consulting relationship is one in which consultee adaptability and growth toward self-direction are consistently encouraged and cultivated.

d. Informed Consent in Consultation. When providing consultation, licensees have an obligation to review, in writing and verbally, the rights and responsibilities of both licensees and consultees. Licensees use clear and understandable language to inform all parties involved about the purpose of the services to be provided, relevant costs, potential risks and benefits, and the limits of confidentiality. Working in conjunction with the consultee, licensees attempt to develop a clear definition of the problem, goals for change, and predicted consequences of interventions that are culturally responsive and appropriate to the needs of consultees.

e. Repealed.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LX-2109

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners, LR 15:625 (August 1989), amended LR 24:443 (March 1998), LR 29:146 (February 2003), LR 39:1800 (July 2013), LR 41732 (4/1/2015), Amended LR 47888 (7/1/2021).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1101-1123.