South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 36 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR LICENSURE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, ADDICTION COUNSELORS, AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL SPECIALISTS
Article 7 - CODES OF ETHICS
Section 36-26 - Code of Ethics for All Supervisors

1. Ensure that supervisees inform clients of their professional status and of all conditions of supervision. Supervisors need to ensure that supervisees inform their clients of any status other than being fully qualified for independent practice or licensed. For example, supervisees need to inform their clients if they are a student, associate, and trainee or, if licensed with restrictions, the nature of those restrictions. In addition, clients must be informed of the requirements of supervision (e.g., the audio taping of counseling sessions for purposes of supervision).

2. Ensure that clients have been informed of their rights to confidentiality and privileged communication when applicable. Clients also should be informed of the limits of confidentiality and privileged communication. The general limits of confidentiality are when harm to self or others is threatened; when the abuse of children, elders or disabled persons is suspected and in cases when the court compels the counselor to testify and break confidentiality. These are generally accepted limits to confidentiality and privileged communication, but they may be modified by state or federal statute.

3. Inform supervisees about the process of supervision, including supervision goals, case management procedures, and the supervisor's preferred supervision model(s).

4. Keep and secure supervision records and consider all information gained in supervision as confidential.

5. Avoid all dual relationships with supervisees that may interfere with the supervisor's professional judgment or exploit the supervisee. Refrain from supervision of current or former clients.

Although all dual relationships are not in of themselves inappropriate, any sexual relationship is considered to be a violation. Sexual relationship means sexual contact, sexual harassment, or sexual bias toward a supervisee by a supervisor.

6. Establish procedures with their supervisees for handling crisis situations.

7. Provide supervisees with adequate and timely feedback as part of an established evaluation plan, including completion of all Board required forms regarding supervision of supervisees.

8. Render assistance to any supervisee who is unable to provide adequate counseling services to clients.

9. Intervene in any situation where the supervisee is impaired and the client is at risk.

10. Refrain from endorsing an impaired supervisee when it is unlikely that the supervisee can provide adequate counseling services.

11. Refrain from offering supervision outside of the supervisor's area(s) of competence.

12. Ensure that supervisees are aware of the current ethical standards related to their professional practice, as approved by the Board, as well as legal standards that regulate their professional practice.

13. Engage supervisees in an examination of cultural issues that might affect supervision and/or counseling.

14. Ensure that both supervisees and clients are aware of their rights and of due process procedures.