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DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN THE APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES

Disciplines and
Ideas in the Applied
Social Sciences
1st Quarter: Module 3
Rights, Responsibilities, and Code of Ethics of Counselors

Source: counselorssoapbox.com

Urbano T. Casamina Jr
Module Writer

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

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Content Standards:

The learners demonstrate an understanding of:

Rights, responsibilities, accountabilities of counselors

Performance Standards:

The learners should be able to…

Undertake participant observation (e.g. A day in the life of a counselor) to adequately

document and critique their roles, functions, and competencies

Learning Competency
Value rights, responsibilities, and accountabilities HUMSS_DIASS12-Ic1

EXPECTATIONS

Counselors are engaged in a legitimate and noble profession with their clients.
They enjoy the good image of their profession and the rights that they deserve.
However, as counselors they also have a share of responsibilities and accountabilities.
Here, you will have ideas as to how heavy are the responsibilities and accountabilities
of the counselors in the delivery of their services. What do you think makes a
counselor’s behavior ethical or unethical? Stay focused and enjoy learning.

LOOKING BACK

Can you recall the different settings where counselors work? There are at least 4 of
them. Write it inside the box!

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PRE-TEST

Direction:
Read the following questions carefully. Then write only the letter of your answer on the
blank.
_____1. What do you call something that is rightfully deserved by a person?
a. Responsibility b. Duty c. Right d. Accountability
_____2. What does it mean to be insane?
a. happy b. out of one’s mind c. normal d. sad
_____3. Which of the following words mean “more of a duty to perform?”
a. Right b. responsibility c. accountability d. sanction
_____4. When do you think is a behavior considered “unethical?”
a. When the action follows a certain law
b. When the action violates a set of moral laws
c. When an action does not perform a duty
d. When no agreed rule is followed
_____5. What do you think is something that one should enjoy or an entitlement to have a
private and confidential talk?
a. Freedom of speech b. privileged communication c. private dyad d. secret talk
_____6. Which of these terms do you think is defined as—a list of legal and moral duties and
obligations to adhere to?
a. Ten commandments b. by -laws c. Code of Ethics d. do’s and don’ts
_____7. What is the difference between rights and duties?
a. Duties are more of actions to be done or performed
b. Rights are given to anybody, but s/he may claim it or not
c. Duties are more of “to do” while rights are more of “you may or you may not do.”
d. They are both actions that need to be performed.
_____8. What does it mean to be immoral?
a. Not doing what is asked to do
b. Doing something opposite of what is seen as good and agreed upon by people
c. The opposite of good
d. Performance of something needed
_____9. What is a penalty?
a. It is something given as payment for a thing or favor.
b. It is something demanded from someone who has violated a rule.
c. It is simply a punishment
d. It is something that one does not want to receive.
____10. What is licensure?
a. It is something that one must attain in order to practice professionally.
b. It is something that one cannot live without.
c. It is something that is needed to follow.
d. It is something used as a privilege in any work or profession.

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Lesson 1 Rights, responsibilities, and accountabilities of counselors

INTRODUCTION OF THE LESSON

All questions pertaining to the accountabilities and Code of Ethics of counselors are
contained in full detail in the RA 9258. It is also known as the “Guidance and Counseling Act
of 2004 (Retrieved from http://pgca.org.ph/2009/12/guidance -and-counseling -act-of-
2004/)

The following are some of the highlights lifted from Republic Act 9258

Under Article III Examination, Registration and Licensure

Sec, 24 Denial, Suspension, Revocation of a Certificate of Registration, Cancellation of

Special Permit. —the application for registration and issuance of Certificate of Registration
may be denied for any of these causes:
a. Conviction of an Offense involving moral turpitude by a competent court;
b. Finding of guilt by the Professional Regulatory Board for immoral and/ or
dishonorable conduct; and
c. Declaration by the court of the applicant as being insane.
However, No certificate shall be denied, revoked or suspended or any of the reason
herein provided , until after sworn complaint in writing against the applicant or holder
thereof shall have been filed and heard in a public hearing or upon request, behind
closed doors.

Professional Identification card or a special permit; (b) make representations to the

public or to third person as licensed Guidance Counselor during the time the license has
been revoked or suspended, and, (c) allow anybody to use his/her license as guidance
counselor to enable such unqualified individual to engage in the practice of guidance and
counseling.

Any unethical practice of guidance and counseling as may be defined in a Code of

ethics and Code of technical Standards to be prepared by the Board in consultation with
Guidance and Counselors is prohibited.

Sec, 28. Right to Privilege Communication for Guidance Counselor. A certified

guidance counselor who is allowed to practice guidance and counseling by this Act, without
the consent of the client, be examined as to any communication or information which has
been acquired while attending to such client. The protection accorded herein shall also
extend to the records and secretary or clerk of a licensed guidance counselor, who may not
be examined concerning any fact, the knowledge of which has been acquired in such
capacity. Any evidence obtained in violation of this provision shall be inadmissible for any
purpose and any proceeding.

Sec, 29. Foreign Reciprocity. No foreign Guidance Counselor shall be admitted to the
examinations, or be given a certificate of Registration, or be entitled to any of the rights and
privileges under this Act unless the country or state of which he/she is a subject or citizen
permits Filipino Guidance Counselors to Practice within its territorial limits on the the same
basis as the subjects or citizen of the said country or state:

Sec, 33. Penalty Clause. Any person who violates any provision of this Act and the
rules and regulations issued by the Board and the Commission commits fraud in the
acquisition of Certificate of Registration or Special Permit, shall be punished with

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imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than eight (8) years, or a fine of
not less than fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000).

“Watch me and Learn.”

Activity 1.1: Directions

Take time to watch a short video via you tube:

“A day in the life of a school counselor”

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=a+day+in+the+life+of+a+school+counselor+

Answer the following questions:

You may use another paper and attach it here.

1. What understanding did you gain from the video?

2. Do you think there are more of the rights than responsibilities shown?

Option: If no internet access is available, you may look for a guidance counselor, and ask
the following questions: (Write the complete name of the counselor and his/her school
affiliation with signature and picture)
1. As a guidance counselor, what are your most important duties, responsibilities and
accountabilities?
2. Has there been an instance when you had a difficulty in performing your duties as a
counselor? kindly share it.
3. Is there anything that you would like to tell the future counselors?

Lesson 2: Ethical and unethical behaviors of counselors

Any unethical practice of guidance and counseling as may be defined in a Code of

Ethics and Code of Technical Standards to be prepared by the Board in consultation with
Guidance and Counselors is prohibited.
Counselors should always show all the traits of a respectable professional who is well
respected by everyone in school. For example, and any misbehavior or conduct unbecoming
of a professional is a big disappointment.
No guidance counselors under any circumstances can display any disrespectful
behavior or any actions beyond their duty and shall be subject to disciplinary action. Refer to
“Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004 (Retrieved from
http://pgca.org.ph/2009/12/guidance -and-counseling -act-of-2004/)

Activity 1.2 Ethical or Unethical?

Direction:

The following statements are descriptions whether an act by the counselor is ethical or
unethical. Write E if you think the description is for ETHICAL and write U if the description is
for UNETHICAL.

_____1. The counseling session is being recorded without the client’s knowledge. Counselor
thinks it can be used for classroom teaching in Counseling subject where he/she is a college

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professor.
_____2. Allowing a foreigner who is a graduate of master’s degree in Counseling from his/her
country of origin without prior coordination with the Philippine Guidance Board.
_____3. A counselor practicing his profession despite his/her license has been revoked or
invalidated by the PRC.
_____4. The name of counselor who is currently attending behind door court hearing for
alleged violation of the Code of Ethics was mentioned in media.
_____5. A counselor under medication for nervous attack conducts counseling privately.
_____6. A counselor shows physical affection to a teenager client who is longing for parental
attention.
_____7. A counselor used bogus /fake documents to do counseling while waiting for board
examination results.
_____8. A counselor’s friend forgot to bring his/her ID, the counselor decided to lend his/her
professional ID to gain entrance in the Annual Convention for Counselors.
_____9. A counselor continues to practice professional counseling without renewing his/ her
license.
____10. An applicant for a counselor’s board examination used fake diploma and transcript of
records in order to be allowed in taking the exam.

Activity 1.3 “ Beyond the call of duty “

Direction:
The following people have been very visible and active during this Corona virus pandemic,
choose 2 from among these people and research about their rights, duties, responsibilities
and accountabilities in relation to the present situation.

Note: For clarification of these terms*, refer to previous discussion.

a. Doctors and nurses(frontliners)

b. Secretary of the Dept. of Health
c. Law makers (Congressmen/ senators)
d. Local government officials (Mayor down to the Baranggay level)

Your result would be similar to this table

Chosen people Rights & Duties Responsibilities Accountabilities
1.
2

Source/s of Information:

Activity 1.4 “Is it the right thing to do?”

Direction:

Cut some articles or news that show situations where the above-mentioned people
(Refer to Activity 1.3) might be committing ethical/ or unethical actions. Explain why you
think such action/s is ethical or unethical

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Article Title Explanation why it is ethical or unethical

________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
Source:
_________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

Remember me!

Do you get confused which governing body or agency gives sanctions/penalty to

counselors when they commit violations of their rights, responsibilities or accountabilities?

The answer is:

It is usually the Philippine Guidance Counselors Association which brings up the
issues and complaints to the Professional Regulation Commission for investigation and
corresponding action.

Check your understanding!

Direction: Match these terms to their corresponding definition by connecting them

with an arrow. Good luck 😊

Rights It is more of being answerable, blameworthy, or liable to

someone.

Responsibility It is more of a privilege one can enjoy but with certain

limitation.
Accountability It is more of being in charge, the owner of a task or event.

(Source: https://www.diffen.com/difference/Accountability_vs_Responsibility#:~:text=Responsibility,-
Diffen%20%E2%80%BA%20English%20Language&text=The%20main%20difference%20between%20responsibility
,being%20answerable%20for%20your%20actions.)

Post-test!

Direction: Identify what is being asked in the following items. You can see the choices
for answers below. Write your answer on the blank.
______________________1. It is the foremost association of guidance counselors.
______________________2. It refers to the confidentiality of the counselor-client conversation
during the counseling process.
______________________3. It is a proof of having the right to practice counseling as a
profession.

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______________________4. It is a formal declaration of all the rights, responsibilities and
accountabilities of a professional like counselors etc.
______________________5. This is the term used referring to an act of violation to the existing
rules and regulations of a legit organization.
______________________6. It is also known as the “Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004.”
______________________7. It is a short term almost the same in meaning as duty.
______________________8. It is the term that is more like of a “negligence” to perform as part of
a duty.
______________________9. This term is similar to a punishment given to a person who violated
a rule or law.
_____________________10. It is the examination required before one applies for a license as a
professional counselor.

Medical certificate / board examination / sanction / penalty / RA 9258 /

Responsibility/PGCA/
Cert. of registration / Accountability / Unethical / Ethical / privilege communication/
Code of Ethics/to do

Reflection!

1.If you are a counselor, what would probably be your guiding principles in your
work? 😊
State it in a declarative form. You may use a separate sheet for your answer.

Example: I will be honest with my clients at all times.

I will be fair and honest with my feelings to every client.

Your answer here:

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

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