How should counselors handle impairment issues?

Counselors should seek help and limit their responsibilities until it is safe to continue providing services when facing impairment issues. This approach is grounded in ethical practice and reflects a commitment to client welfare and professional integrity. Recognizing personal impairment—whether due to mental health, substance use, or other factors—is crucial, as it can impair a counselor's judgment, effectiveness, and ability to provide adequate support to clients.

By seeking help, counselors demonstrate accountability and a proactive stance in addressing their own well-being, which ultimately protects clients from potential harm. Limiting responsibilities ensures that they do not engage with clients when they may not be at their best, thus upholding the ethical standards set forth in the ACA Code of Ethics. This commitment to self-care is essential for maintaining a high standard of practice.

In contrast, continuing to provide services despite known impairment, ignoring the issue, or delaying reporting until impairments affect others compromises both the counselor's and the clients' well-being and goes against ethical principles of responsible practice, which prioritize client safety and the professional's obligation to maintain competency.